Meet the woman bringing joy to Edinburgh’s 90-somethings - one bike ride at a time

It’s a sight that is certain to put a smile on your face.

The Leith-born 49-year-old set up her business offering care home residents scenic rides in the city in 2019.

Visiting 25 care homes in and around Edinburgh, she is on a mission to help her elderly clients “feel the wind in their hair” and experience the thrill of being out in nature.

The average age of her passengers is around 94 and they sit two at a time in the front of her trishaw, named “Betsy”, while she takes them for a spin.

“The feeling of freedom that they get is amazing,” said Ms McIntyre.

“When you live in a care home you’re often invisible, unless someone is coming to see or you are taken out to a coffee shop. And even then you’re usually in and out of vehicles or taken straight into a building.

“I put them front and centre out in nature so they can see everything. I try to engage the people around us, pulling people in who are walking their dogs or pushing prams, and getting dialogue going.

“It’s a really sociable thing, and that’s the secret.”

Ms McIntyre discovered her passion for taking elderly people out in nature while volunteering with the charity Cycling Without Age at a care home in Gilmerton.

She eventually quit her job as a youth worker and bought the trishaw from a manufacturer in Copenhagen, where the bikes are very popular.

“The model was actually designed by a man who saw his parents get older and not able to do as much,” said Ms McIntyre.

A cycling enthusiast herself, she said many of her clients were keen cyclists back in their day - including one who used to cycle to the Scottish borders every weekend, leaving early in the morning and getting back late at night.

“For some people who were cyclists but now have dementia, it can bring back the feeling of the wind in their hair and they seem happy,” she said.

“Others might not have been outside for months and months, maybe because they’ve been ill, and then they come out on Betsy and it’s life changing for them.”

Helen Crabbie and Stevie Gray, who are both 98 and residents of Cramond Residence care home, are two of Ms McIntyre’s regulars.

Ms Gray, who has been a client for two years, said: “I enjoy being out in the fresh air and getting out seeing people, and the hundreds of dogs on the promenade.

“Lissa has us waving at them and everyone's faces brighten up and smile. It’s a great experience.”

Ms Crabbie, a former legal secretary who started going out for rides in the summer, said: “It sounded good fun and it was good fun. I’m not a sporty person but I like the outside.

“It’s quite sweet because the dogs are the same level as you and they come and say hello, and everybody waves.

“Although sometimes people look a bit startled when they see us,” she joked.

While her clients are primarily care home residents, Ms McIntyre also takes people out from their homes and is available to book for children’s parties and other celebrations.

Next year, Ms McIntyre hopes to start taking some of her clients for rides over the Forth Road Bridge, near South Queensferry where she now lives.

“The bridge is almost inaccessible for someone in their 90s,” she said.

“But there’s something about being on that bridge, in the middle of the Firth of Forth, that I think they would find really exhilarating.”