A Salford man is doing his bit to get immobile voters to the polls for today’s local elections – by renting out a rickshaw to transport them himself.
Nathan Smallwood was inspired by one of his wheelchair-bound family members to help others who may also struggle with travelling to polling stations.
His aunt’s mobility impairment has made travelling to polling stations especially hard on her during the last few elections.
Nathan said: “I thought there must be other people in the same situation. People may also avoid going for this reason so it’d be good to organise something to help them.”
This will be in operation around Manchester today and he hopes that this project will also help encourage disabled people and young people around Salford Quays to vote.
Nathan and his previous work colleagues have organised the #pedaltopoll campaign and advertised this for the past few months around Manchester.
The group even took it upon to go door-to-door to tell residents about the scheme: “It’s only going to be a handful of us now but we’re going to do the best with what we have got.”
The rickshaw will be hired for a few days.
Whether or not it will make a return for future elections will depend on how many people make use of the scheme.
Nathan said: “I have no idea where the idea of using a rickshaw came from to be honest. We just want to make voting more engaging and fun.”
Make sure you #pedaltopoll today!
