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Two cyclists chatting with each other during an event

​CHALLENGE LIFE

Visually impaired and sighted people sharing the joy of tandem riding in and around Edinburgh, Scotland.

Allan, a visually impaired rider. He is smiling in the photo. 

“I wanted to cycle as a kid and it came back to me 60 years later. It’s been a dream come true. Now, when I go out on a ride, I get a childish sense of excitement. It’s freedom on the bike, a kind of freedom I hadn’t felt anywhere else in my life. To get into something new at this stage in my life, it’s wonderful. You just feel pure joy.”

Allan,
Visually impaired rider

RIDE WITH US

We ride on the first Saturday and third Sunday of every month, with a choice of a longer or shorter ride. From late April to early September, we ride on some Wednesday evenings. Our rides start and finish at Saughton Park, Edinburgh.

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Sociable pace

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Togetherness

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Varied routes

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Safe riding

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No cost

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New rider friendly

Carmen, a sighted rider. She is smiling in the photo. 

“Being a tandem pilot for VIE Velo brings me so much joy. I am exercising, spending time outdoors and getting to know wonderful people. I find it incredibly rewarding and I am happy for days after a ride.

Carmen,
Sighted rider 

ABOUT US

A group of cyclists getting ready
VISUALLY IMPAIRED RIDERS

25

SIGHTED RIDERS 

50

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35

RIDES EACH YEAR
MOST TANDEMS ON A RIDE

16

Tandem riders from behind
KM
OUR LONGEST RIDE

100

CAFES VISITED

45

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OUR OLDEST RIDER

80+

YEARS OLD
OUR YOUNGEST RIDER

18

YEARS OLD
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RIDES TO DATE

175

Why we do it

 

Blind and visually impaired people are more likely to be socially isolated, to take less exercise, to have poorer health, and to have less income.

 

Unlike sighted people, they can’t just get on a bike and ride.

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We are enriching and changing lives by bringing the joy of cycling, friendship and shared experience to visually impaired and sighted people.​​​​

SUPPORT US

Please help us to cover our costs and keep our rides free and accessible.

Our mechanic David at work fixing a bike

"Greener Kirkcaldy is delighted to provide tandem maintenance and repair services to fellow charity VIE Velo. Enabling more visually impaired people to ride more often through our work fits our community and environmental ethos perfectly."

David,
Mechanic, and sighted rider 
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