Cycling Without Age encourages cyclists to take older people along for a ride

A scheme which became a worldwide social media hit is set to be rolled out across Scotland.

The Cycling Without Age movement began in Denmark and encourages volunteers to take older people for bike rides using comfortable and safe trishaws – three wheeled rickshaws.

More than 20 million people have watched a film featuring Falkirk’s Cycling Without Age project since it was posted online as part of BBC Three’s Amazing Humans series.

And now Scottish Government officials are to work with the project to ensure it has the funds and expertise needed to allow the scheme to be rolled out across the country.

A pilot project running in Falkirk is benefitting from £36,000 from the Scottish Government and the European Social Fund.

However social security minister Jeane Freeman has confirmed additional support for similar projects across Scotland.

The minister was in Falkirk to meet older people who have benefitted from the scheme, along with its 20-year-old organiser, Fraser Johnston.

She said: “There is a lot of work to be done on the detail of the scheme but we are committed to ensuring the required financial and official support are available to provide this to older people across Scotland.

“This is a great example of a community project -- built on the hard work of volunteers and generous donations from individuals and companies.”

Johnston said: “This is the first government in the world to give its backing to a nationwide rollout of Cycling Without Age.

“It is fantastic to see the importance the Scottish Government places on supporting older people, as well as their commitment to active travel.”