The Troon chapter of Cycling Without Age was set up last year, but since the summer has linked up with four care homes in the town to offer residents weekly trishaw rides.
The movement started in Denmark, and there are now almost 100 chapters of Cycling Without Age in Scotland.
A new purpose-built beachfront hub for the Ayr chapter was opened a few months ago, and Troon is now hoping to follow that success in the coming years.
Organiser and pilot John McColgan says there are four main routes from each care home, which can take up to two residents along the promenade on the electric trishaws.
He told the Advertiser: “The residents think it’s fantastic, it gets them out and about when they might not otherwise.
“Some of the carers come out with us as well. Their patter is really good and you get some great stories from them.
“We also take out a wee Bluetooth speaker and play some country and western, or the crooners like Dean Martin or Frank Sinatra.”
The Troon chapter of Cycling Without Age was set up last year (Image: Cycling Without Age Troon)
The chapter currently has six qualified pilots but is hoping to expand this number to more than 20 in the coming months.
John continued: “Our potential pilots range from people in their 30s to 60s, and are a combination of retired people, folk working from home or part-time.
“We’ve learned a lot in the six months with the care homes, we’ve learned what works and perhaps what doesn’t.
“You do a maximum of 10kph and it’s an electric bike, so it’s not strenuous for the pilot. You sit and hear the banter, and are actually part of it rather than just being the driver.”
The chapter has been heavily supported by the Troon Development Trust, whose members helped set it up in 2024 and are still involved today.
Sweco donated the chapter’s current trishaw, and councillor Bob Pollock has also given his backing to the project.
The chapter now has funds for four years of running costs, thanks to generous donations from Hillhouse Quarry and Marr Capella.
Looking ahead to 2026, John says the chapter is hoping to expand rides to people who are on their own, as well as secure funding for a second bike.
He added: “There are a few community hubs in Troon and we want to focus on them, getting single people out on their own.
“We also want to look at sheltered housing units as well, as there will be lots of elderly people there, perhaps on their own, who would benefit.
“We will hopefully have two trishaws so we can take four people out at one time. We want to be out every single day.
“We’re also talking to youth organisations to possibly be pilots, or even come out on their own bike beside the trishaw.”