SOPHIE Naylor was walking along a beach in Port Lonsdale when she saw a peculiar sight.

A cyclist was riding a trishaw (vehicle with three wheels and pedals) while carrying a delighted passenger.

“The person looked so happy, and that memory has always stuck in my mind,” Sophie laughed.

“I looked up the concept and thought it was brilliant.”

Cycling Without Age is a charity that connects those no longer able to ride with their community and the outdoors, by giving them free rides on trishaw eBikes piloted by volunteer cyclists.

The international program operates in 40 places across Australia and now Sophie wants to bring it to the Mansfield Shire.

Sophie, Louise Hopwood, Briana Seaton and Narelle Rademaker have recently formed the Cycling Without Age Mansfield Committee and are currently fundraising for a trishaw.

“By offering free rides in the community we aim to increase social connection, enable joy, improve mental health and well-being, increase feelings of being included, valued and respected, and increase active participation in the outdoors - not only for the passengers but also the volunteers,” Sophie explained.

“It’s such an incredibly joyous activity.”

Sophie said cycling can be an opportunity for “re-connection” for riders.

“I volunteered for Cycling Without Age in Geelong and it was wonderful to see passenger’s reactions to the world around them,” she said.

“We used to cycle passengers along the waterfront and this would trigger memories for them.

“They’d say ‘Oh, I used to swim here when I was younger’.

“Being on a trishaw allows passengers to smell, hear and interact with the world.

“You cannot get that same experience in a car.”

Sophie and members of the committee attended the Mansfield Bush Markets over the weekend and brought a trishaw from Wangaratta.

“We loved being able to show the Mansfield community our program and we really welcome any interest from volunteers or prospective passengers," Sophie said.

"We plan to begin by offering rides down the median strip and within the Botanic Gardens, with many other routes possible in the future.

“Our first step is to start with one trishaw, but we will continue to fundraise until we have two trishaws and a trailer so we can offer rides in Bonnie Doon, Gough's Bay, Jamieson and along the Rail Trail.

"A further stage is to add a trishaw to the fleet which is able to carry a wheelchair, making it a truly accessible program."

Sophie said the committee had already initiated conversations with Rosehaven, Bindaree, MASS, Yooralla, Respond, Parkinsons Support Group, Carers of People With Special Needs Support Group and other community services.

If you are interested in Cycling Without Age Mansfield, please head to their Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61559287567650 for more details.