NUMBER OF SIGHT IMPAIRED PEOPLE IN NSW AND AUSTRALIA

Below are numbers of vision impaired people in Australia (and NSW) as at 2003 provided by Vision Australia (nee RBS), which also identifies those between 18 and < 65.  The oldest cyclist who rides with Muggaccinos is Whippet who is approaching 70 and can go the clappers for over 100km.

Age	State	Est Population (2003)	Percent	Total
All	Australia	19,676,508	1.49%	292,700
All	NSW	6,686,757	1.43%	95,809
18-64	Australia	11,685,192	0.85%	99,324
18-64	NSW	4,011,099	0.79%	31,688

The population of Australia in now over 20 million (ABS estimate 20,488,502). If one in five blind people between 18-50, would like to ride a tandem with a recreational bicycle group, there are over 12,000 reasons to encourage the two pronged Adopt a Blind Cyclist programme throughout Australia.