Cycling Without Age Perth is a great outdoor activity run by volunteers and is completely FREE!

Imagine gliding slowly along the Swan River foreshore, the breeze on your face, with nothing to do but look around and chat. No pedalling, no parking stress, no rush. That is the simple magic of Cycling Without Age Perth, a volunteer run charity that offers free trishaw rides to older and less abled people with limited mobility.

If you have a parent who rarely gets out, a friend who misses the outdoors, or you simply fancy a gentle, social outing yourself, this is one of the most heart warming experiences going in Perth. And, did I mention, it costs nothing.

IMAGE: cyclingwithoutage

What Is Cycling Without Age?

Cycling Without Age started in Denmark and has spread around the world. The idea is beautifully simple: volunteer “pilots” ride electric-assist trishaws, with passengers seated comfortably in front, so people who can no longer cycle can enjoy the outdoors again.

In Perth they runs free community rides at scenic spots across the metropolitan area. Rides are relaxed, social and unhurried. Voluneer riders offer generosity, slowness, storytelling and relationships, and that really is the spirit of the whole thing. A wheelchair-accessible trishaw is also available, so passengers who use a wheelchair are not left out.

First Impressions

What strikes you first about a Cycling Without Age session is the atmosphere. Rides start from everyday, easy-to-find places, such as a park playground, a café, a surf club or a lakeside reserve, so there is no formal “venue” to navigate. You meet your volunteer, get comfortable in the trishaw, and you are away.

The trishaws themselves are bright, sturdy and comfortable, with a bench seat at the front and the pilot behind. Because they are electric assist, the pilots can keep a gentle pace without puffing, which leaves plenty of breath for conversation.

What to Expect on Your Ride

The ride is short, scenic and sociable. Sessions run from 9:30 to 11:30 am, and bookings are available on the hour or half-hour, so you can choose a time that suits you. Walk-ups are welcome, but a ride cannot be guaranteed, so booking ahead is the safest option.

Once you book, you will receive a confirmation email with the meeting details. Your pilot is a trained volunteer who looks after the riding while you look after the enjoying. Many passengers find the slow pace brings out the stories: a landmark that triggers a memory, a bird on the water, a favourite childhood spot. Pilots are happy to chat or to ride quietly, whichever you prefer.

Volunteers complete induction training that covers safety, risk assessment, practical trishaw handling and passenger care, so you can relax knowing you are in capable hands.

Where and When: The Perth Ride Schedule

This is where Cycling Without Age Perth really shines. There is likely to be a ride near you. Here is the current schedule, as last updated 16 October 2026. Schedules can change, so always confirm when you book.

Northern suburbs

• Joondalup: Neil Hawkins Park, Mondays by request
• Mindarie: Quinns Beach, every Friday and Saturday
• Mullaloo: Mullaloo Surf Lifesaving Club, every Monday
• Woodbridge: Riverside Park, every Thursday, Friday and Sunday, plus the 1st and 3rd Tuesday and the 2nd and 4th Saturday of the month
• Wilson: Kent Street Weir, every Thursday and Friday

Inner and central Perth

• Bayswater: Enviro House, every Friday
• Burswood: Burswood Park Playground every Monday, and Mizzica Mangiatoria every Tuesday
• Stirling: Lake Gwelup (1st Wednesday), Yokine Reserve (2nd Wednesday) and Jackadder Lake (3rd Wednesday) of the month
• Subiaco: Subiaco Common, 1st and 3rd Tuesday of the month
• Wembley: Galup (Lake Monger), 1st and 3rd Friday of the month

Western suburbs and the coast

• Claremont: Lake Claremont, 2nd and 4th Friday of the month
• Cottesloe: Curtin Heritage Living, every Wednesday

Southern suburbs

• Bicton: Point Walter, every Tuesday
• Fremantle: South Beach, every Monday and Friday
• Port Coogee: Chieftain Esplanade, every Friday

My tip: if you love water views, South Beach, Point Walter and Quinns Beach are tempting coastal and river options, while the lakes at Gwelup, Claremont and Galup suit anyone who prefers calm, leafy surrounds.

IMAGE: CSMITH PHOTOGRAPHY (cyclingwithoutage)

Why It Matters: The Benefits Go Beyond a Pretty View

A trishaw ride is lovely, but it also does real good. Local research, including a 2024 Curtin University thesis focused on the Perth chapter, found that the program offers passengers and their carers more opportunities for socialising, connecting with the environment and sharing memories. Wider studies have reported lifted mood and a stronger sense of belonging among participants.

That matters for older Western Australians, especially those living in aged care or with limited mobility, who can find it hard to get out into the community. A free, friendly outing in the fresh air is a simple but powerful antidote to isolation. It is also rewarding for the volunteers, many of whom talk about the joy of seeing a passenger light up.

Who Is It For?

Cycling Without Age Perth is ideal for:

• Older adults who can no longer cycle or walk long distances
• People who use a wheelchair (just ask for the wheelchair trishaw)
• Family members or carers who would love to share an outing
• Friends and groups wanting a gentle morning out, followed by a coffee nearby
• Anyone feeling a little disconnected and keen for a friendly chat

It may not suit anyone who needs medical support during an outing, so if you are unsure, check with the booking team when you make your request.

Practical Tips Before You Go

1. Book ahead. Email bookings@cyclingwithoutage-perth.org.au or use the booking request form on the website. You will usually be asked for the passenger’s name, number of passengers, preferred date, time and location, an emergency contact and whether you need the wheelchair trishaw.
2. Check your confirmation email. It has the meeting details.
3. Dress for the weather. A hat, sunscreen and a light jacket go a long way on an open trishaw. Perth mornings can be cool, especially by the coast.
4. Ask about access and parking. If you hold an ACROD permit, let the booking team know so they can point you to the best bay close to the meeting spot.
5. Make a morning of it. Several rides start at or near cafés, including Mizzica in Burswood, so consider a coffee before or after.
6. Bring a friend. The ride is lovely on its own, but the company makes it special.

Want to Give Back? Volunteer

If you are a fit, friendly over-55 with time to spare, the volunteer role could be perfect for you. Volunteers receive training and ride alongside a supportive team. There are also behind-the-scenes roles in administration and coordination. Enquiries can go to admin@cyclingwithoutage-perth.org.au. The charity also welcomes donations, and it takes part in the Containers for Change scheme, so your recycling can help.

Is It Worth a Visit?

Absolutely. In a city full of lovely parks, lakes and beaches, Cycling Without Age Perth offers something rare: a free, relaxed, human way to experience them. You do not need to be fit, you do not need to pay, and you do not need to rush. Whether you are the passenger, the carer or the volunteer, you will come away with a smile.

Pick a spot from the schedule, send that booking email, and treat yourself, or someone you love, to a slow ride with a view.

Details are correct as at the schedule updated 16 October 2026. Always confirm times and locations with Cycling Without Age Perth before you travel.