Super trike hits the town

Roxy on her new tricycle designed to her personal specifications. PHOTO/SUPPLIED.

KAREN COLTMAN
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Riding a bike home from school is normal, but until now it hasn’t been for 10-year-old, Roxy Anderson.

Roxy suffers from Multiple Pterygium Syndrome, a rare genetic condition that causes contracted joints and webbed skin as well as affecting facial features. Her movement is restricted.

But this week Roxy enjoyed the same thrill of riding home that her Douglas Park schoolmates enjoy thanks to a new $8500 designer tricycle.

The Mazda Foundation granted the Anderson family $5500 for the trike, while the Halberg Foundation and two private donations covered the remainder.

So rather than only rely on her walker and electric wheelchair, Roxy can now ride the personalised tricycle for fitness and fun.

Last June, Roxy’s mother Nikki Anderson went to her daughter’s school the day Brian Gilbert from Trikes NZ came and displayed tricycles.

From that moment, Nikki and Roxy knew that the German-designed trike was the one for them.

They patiently waited more than a year for the tricycle to be ready for collection.

It is specifically designed for Roxy’s short legs and body shape.

“We picked it up from Palmerston North last week and Roxy was so excited to get on it, we had to stop off and ride around the bike park on the way home,” Anderson said.

“Nothing stops her. She is a positive and happy girl.

“Last week, she used her walker to do the school athletics 80m run.”

Riding home takes about 15 minutes, and Roxy is keen to keep doing it.

Mum is keeping the electric wheelchair at school so she can drive Roxy to school with the trike in the car and then Roxy can ride home with mum walking behind her.

“I just love it, I am very excited, and my friends think it’s cool too,” Roxy said.

Roxy intends to ride around the Masterton bike track at the weekend.

The Mazda Foundation is funded through a contribution from the sale of every new Mazda in New Zealand.