​Challenge Life
Visually impaired and sighted people sharing the joy of tandem riding in and around Edinburgh, Scotland.
“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.
Sociable pace
Varied routes
No cost
Togetherness
Safe riding
New rider friendly
“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
Visually impaired riders
25
50
Sighted riders
35
Rides each year
Most tandems on a ride
17
Our longest ride
100KM
Rides to date
175
Cafes visited
45
Our oldest riders
80+ years old
Our youngest riders
18 years old
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.​ We are enriching and changing lives by bringing the joy of cycling, friendship and shared experience to visually impaired and sighted people.​​​​
"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