a. Over 50s Riding Program announced January 2008
The Over 50s Riding Program (formerly the Seniors Riding Program) is designed to encourage Victorians over the age of 50 to get active and help them maintain their mobility, independence and improve their quality of life. It recognises that bicycle riding is a popular and appropriate form of physical activity for seniors with a strong evidence base.
Join now
The Over 50s Riding Program officially commenced in July and is now up and running!
Each riding group has a dedicated ride leader. People apply to be ride leaders because of their experience, skill and passion for bike riding and motivating others to join in. Ride leaders are able to offer advice on riding technique and bike maintenance, and provide motivation and support.
Rides are held throughout the week in various locations around Victoria. Rides cater for beginners through to those with more experience.
The frequency of rides will vary from group to group, according to the needs of the participants. Ride distances could be 2 - 20 kilometres each time. The level of difficulty will be appropriate for the riding experience of the participants. Where possible, most rides will be held on established bike paths.
To participate in the program, a bike and a helmet is required. A bike helmet is a must as it is illegal to ride without one. If a bike hasn’t been ridden for a while, the local bike shop can assist with a bike service.
Joining a ride involves 3 easy steps: register to participate in the program with Bicycle Victoria, choose a ride, and contact the ride leader direct.
Register here.
Frequently asked Questions - All you need to know about the program
Click here to find out all you need to know about the Over 50s Riding Program.
Benefits of Bike Riding
Physical activity provides numerous physical, psychological and social benefits and plays a key role in maintaining the independence and wellbeing of older adults. As such there has been a significant increase in the number and variety of physical activity programs being offered to older adults across Victoria.
Bicycle riding is a popular and appropriate form of physical activity for seniors with a strong evidence base. Cycling improves cardiovascular fitness, uses all the major muscle groups, improves circulation, cholesterol, relieves rheumatoid arthritis and helps people cope with stress. As a low impact exercise which moves the joints without jarring, cycling like walking and swimming is ideal for the management and prevention of arthritis.
There can also be indirect benefits in terms of reducing injuries from falls, which can be seriously disabling, especially in older people. The strength and co-ordination that regular cycling brings make them less likely. Physically active older people have much reduced rates of hip fracture.
Bicycle Victoria, Office of Senior Victorians and COTA
With 40,000 members, Bicycle Victoria is Australia’s largest and fastest growing cycling organisation. Our mission is ‘More People Cycling More Often’. Established in 1975, we are an independent, non-profit organisation with activities informed by dynamic experience in cycling for more than 30 years. Bicycle Victoria is increasingly interested in developing cycling programs for targeted population groups such as older people.
The Over 50s Riding Program is funded by the Office of Senior Victorians. It seeks to build on learnings from the joint initiative in 2005-2006, Time to Ride.
Bicycle Victoria will work closely with the Council on the Ageing (COTA) Victoria to implement the program, tapping into COTA's experience in succesfully managing senior riding groups and leader training in the community.
Aims of the program
The program aims to develop a network of community riding groups for people over the age of 50, led by trained voluntary, local Ride Leaders. Ride Leaders will receive basic training accreditated by Bicycle Victoria. The Ride Leaders role is to set up local riding groups and provide advice on routes, paths and café stops, set participants up with buddies and be a local point of contact and support.
The program will:
- seek to involve riders from culturally diverse backgrounds and living in low socio-economic areas
- recruit both Ride Leaders and where necessary Ride Leader Buddies
- develop local capacity by partnering with retail, sporting and seniors organisations
- develop web based resources such as maps to support the riders
- increase understanding of the health and social benefits of riding for older people
