About

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The Founder

Hello and thank you so much for taking an interest in Chat-e-Cycle!

I am a Physiotherapist by background, and have been working with older people in the NHS for a large part of my recent career.

All too often my patients tell me “don’t get old love!” – and my work has no doubt taught me that older age indeed comes with it’s challenges, from the physical effects of ageing to the loss of driving and social isolation.

Chat-e-Cycle started as a master’s project, but has grown into so much more. I am passionate about seeing how far an accessible cycle ride could go in helping shape the future of healthy ageing and inclusion within our communities.

It’s time for us all to start thinking about creating an accessible future for our families, friends, communities and ultimately ourselves.

Despite being repeatedly advised against it, growing old seems to still be the best option available – so why not make it fun?

Stella Geach - Chat-e-Cycle Ambassador

Kate Mattick - Chat-e-Cycle Founder

The Chat-e-Cycle Story

In 2020/2021 Kate studied a Masters in Disability, Design and Innovation at UCL. This multidisciplinary masters programme provided Kate with a depth of insight into the wider issues related to design, society and services that, unknowingly, result in the exclusion of older and disabled people.

During a module in inclusive design, Kate was challenged with a brief about inclusion within the cycling community, which is what sparked the concept of “Chat-e-Cycle”. Kate went on to entering her project design into the Royal Society of Arts (RSA) Student Design Awards: for brief: “How can we make active travel more accessible for the ageing population, that will in turn make it better for all”.

Kate was delighted to be a recipient of this award, funded by the National Innovation Centre for Ageing and has since been developing the business model of Chat-e-Cycle with support of programmes like ELIEZ and Unltd.

The inclusion of older people is the very core of the Chat-e-Cycle design and service model and Kate is determined to ensure that no-one is left out of a cycling revolution.

Designed For Comfort, Stability & Social Riding

The Chat-e-Cycle trike has been named “Dominique” – after a local donor and supporter of our project.

Adventures in Chat-e-Cycle.

We aim to support people to transfer onto, and use the trike in the way that works for them.

About the Chat-e-Cycle trike

Chat-e-Cycle uses a Van Raam Fun2Go 1. This is a three wheeled trike, with the two cyclists sitting side-by-side as the “pilot” and the “co-pilot”. One cyclist, the “pilot” , is in control of the steering, brakes and electric function. Both cyclists have an independent gear system and contribute to the moments of the trike moving forward. But, each cyclist can add as much resistance as they like to make the journey easier or harder for them. The trike is electric so you have support for any hills or tougher and more tiring sections of your ride. For anyone sat in the “co-pilot” seat who prefers to not cycle, but still wants to enjoy the fresh air and the experience of the Chat-e-Cycle there is a foot plate you can use instead of pedaling.

Find out more about the Fun2Go model on the VanRaam website.