The mayor of Bridport and his wife were the first passengers to take a journey on trishaws for a new project (just before Bridport Nub News) - with a trip from West Bay to Bucky Doo Square.

Councillor Ian Bark and his wife, Anne, enjoyed the ride and waved to passers-by on a trishaw, which was used to promote Cycling Without Age Bridport - a group hoping to bring trishaws to the town to help elderly and disabled people get out and about.

Throughout Saturday morning, pilots from the nearby Weymouth group took people on free trips around Bridport and West Bay to highlight how the project works and encourage people to get involved.

Cllr Ian Bark said: "Apart from England winning their first game in the Euro campaign, the highlight of my weekend was the trishaw ride my wife and I enjoyed on Saturday morning from West Bay to Bucky Doo Square and back.

"The trishaw is really comfortable and offers the passengers the opportunity to travel in style whilst taking in the scenery and best of all someone else is doing the work behind you.

"We were really impressed by how quickly we were able to travel between West Bay and Bucky Doo, the electric bikes certainly help, and everyone we passed on route smiled and waved when they saw us."

The sunny weather and live music in Bucky Doo Square to promote the upcoming Bridport Folk Festival brought out the crowds, and as well as taking advantage of a free ride, many signed up as potential future pilots and nearly £100 was raised towards Bridport's first trishaw. You can also donate here.

Along with pilots from the Weymouth group, locals Jo Huxter and Keith Hatch gave out information from stalls in Bucky Doo Square and West Bay, while Bridport's first volunteer pilot, Isabell Shewell took the opportunity to get to grips with the electrically assisted trishaw.

Cllr Dave Rickard, leader of Bridport Town Council, said: "This is a wonderful initiative and so very 'Bridport' - slightly quirky, a great alternative to the car, an excellent way to survey our beautiful town, coast and landscape, and all run by the community, for the community.

"Bridport Town Council would love to see it become a permanent feature and we applaud everyone involved for their efforts to achieve this."

Founded in Copenhagen in 2012, the scheme involves trained volunteer pilots taking local elders and care home residents out on trishaw cycle rides to 'feel the wind in their hair and bring generations closer together'.

Eilish Davoren, practice manager at Bridport Medical Centre, has been the driving force behind Cycling Without Age to Bridport.

She said: "As part of our continued work to support the community, we wanted to give older residents, along with children and adults with disabilities, the opportunity to feel like they are cycling through Bridport in these specially adapted bikes and we hope to encourage social interaction and bring generations closer together.

"The response to Cycling Without Age Bridport has been fantastic and donations and sponsorship means we are well on our way to buying our first trishaw over the summer."

If any business would like to join those who have already sponsored the first trishaw, or if anyone is interested in volunteering to ride or support the project, they can find out more about the scheme at Cycling Without Age - Bridport's Facebook page or email Des at Cycling Without Age Weymouth [email protected]

For more information about the national project can be found here.

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