Inclusive Cycling comes to Windhoek

Africa-Press – Namibia. Namibians living with disability can look forward to more opportunities to participate in sport through a cycling project that will be introduced in Windhoek this month.

The project is being launched by Inclusive Cycling International, a non-governmental organisation based in the United States of America, with funding provided by the US embassy in Namibia.

The Namibia National Paralympic Committee is also supporting the project as part of a push to develop more Paralympic sport opportunities throughout Namibia.

Specially designed bicycles will be made available for anyone with a disability to learn how to use at multiple events throughout the country, the project’s initiators said in a statement.

The bicycles will make it possible for people with disabilities like spinal cord injuries, cerebral palsy, blindness and autism to do cycling.

Technical training in the use of the adapted bikes will be provided to leaders in the disability sports movement; including two rehabilitation coaches working in a spinal cord injury unit at Windhoek Central Hospital.

The two coaches are Mitch Dewaldt and Johanna Haufiku and they will make this kind of healthy activity available to Namibians who get disabilities in the future.

The organisers have invited anyone with a disability who wants to participate to join the launch in Windhoek 4 June.

The event will start at 09h00 with an ‘Inclusive Bike Ride’ from the parking area opposite Windhoek Central Police Station and the ride will proceed down Independence Avenue, through the city’s central business area, and end at the NamPost parking area in Ausspannplatz.

Following the ride, the bicycles will be made available at the end point from 11h00 to 15h00 for instruction on their use and opportunities for everyone to ride.

There will also be a workshop on 28 May at the Katatura Youth Centre sports field, where people living with disabilities will receive training and get more information on the different cycles available.

“Following the launch of the programme, the adaptive cycles will be donated to organisations in Namibia and continue to be available for people with disabilities to use to improve their health and recreation,” the statement said.

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