The Canadian National Institute for the Blind (CNIB) took the members of the sight loss/sight impaired community out for rides at the Little Red River Park biking trails on Monday.
Amanda Titman, the Manager of Programs and Operations for CNIB Saskatchewan, said they brought the Tandem Bikes to Prince Albert to help foster independence and physical activity within the sight loss community.
“We know at CNIB that people with sight loss deserves to live the life that they desire and by bringing the Tandem Bikes Program into the community of Prince Albert, and others around the community, it fosters that independence and gives the participant the chance to be physically active with biking,” she explained.
The bikes are called Tandem bikes because the have the front handle bars that can stir and a seat for the captain and then second bike that is fixed with pedals and seat for the person with the sight loss to sit and ride along.
“We first had this program in the summer of 2023 in Regina and it was a huge success with clients across the city, so we decide we will expand to Prince Albert because we have some very physically active participants in the community,” Titman said.
Don Horncastle, one of the participants on Monday, said he was excited to be part of the Tandem Biking Program.
“Being part of this program is so rewarding. Not being stuck at home, having things to do with people that we share similar successes, similar problems, similar issues and lots of knowledge is very exciting,” Horncastle said.
He was quick to credit the CNIB and other organizations for assisting the sight loss community in one way or the other. He said it’s difficult because building such a community has not been easy.
“Our biggest challenge is actually communicating with other sight loss people. No one has a list of who is blind in the city. How do you find them and do you get a hold on the to take part in programs like this,” he said.
He gave his number (306-314-1860) for other sight loss people to connect with for improved communication in the community.
The CNIB’s next mobile hub program will be coming up in Oct. 14 or 15. Details will be made available as soon as possible.
