Older people 'need greater road accessibility'

Date: 23/8/2010

The only things stopping older people from getting out and about are accessibility and other individuals' perceptions of them, it has been suggested.

Jim Baker, chief executive of Brighton Hove and Portslade Age Concern, made the comment ahead of a rally organised by the charity to promote mobility scooter safety, according to the Argus.

"Older people in this city [Brighton] are up for a laugh - what's getting in their way is accessibility and people's view of them," he said.

The Wheelie Great Scooter Rally will be held on September 11th and aims to make others aware that pensioners have a right to share the roads.

It will also promote road safety for users of wheelchairs, bicycles, skateboards and regular scooters.

Age Concern recently combined with Help the Aged to create the organisation Age UK, which says it strives to achieve its goal of a world in which older people can flourish through advice, campaigns, products, training and research.

Posted by Sarah Bailey