Community members put Bike Medicine Hat's new Cycling Without Age trishaw program to the test Wednesday afternoon following its official launch; however they were quick to give it their seal of approval after returning from a short ride around the streets and trails surrounding Cypress View Foundation.--NEWS PHOTO KENDALL KING
kking@medicinehatnews.com
Members of Bike Medicine Hat, Cycling Without Age Canada, Cypress View Foundation and the community gathered Wednesday for the launch of a new accessible cycling program for seniors.
First reported by the News in October 2022, the local Cycling Without Age program allows seniors, as well as people challenged with mobility, to safely experience cycling with a bicycle-powered rickshaw, called a ‘trishaw.’
The custom-designed trishaws have an easy-access seating area at the front for one-to-two riders. A third seat is located at the rear and is connected to foot pedals.
Bike Medicine Hat announced it had secured three trishaws late last year by becoming a chapter of global cycling accessibility group Cycling Without Age, and confirmed it would launch the program this spring in two seniors’ residences: Cypress View Foundation and Masterpiece Southland Meadows.
Residents of the homes are able to pre-book a trishaw ride at a specific time and date. Once booked, one of more than 15 volunteer pilots will accept and show up at the home at the scheduled time to pilot the ride, with no cost to riders. Complementary helmets are also provided.
Those attending Wednesday’s launch expressed excitement for the multitude of benefits they say the program provides.
“Cycling Without Age strengthens the bond between generations and fosters a sense of belonging within our community,” Mayor Linnsie Clark said. “This program not only promotes physical wellness, but also encourages social interaction, storytelling and shared experiences.
“(It is) making a difference in the lives of our seniors and individuals with varying abilities, empowering them to stay engaged in the outdoors and see our beautiful city from a different point of view.”
Clark, Cypress View residents and staff, and members of the cycling community were some of the first to experience a ride on the trishaws.
Joking that the experience made them feel like royalty, several Cypress View residents showed off their most regal waves to passing onlookers.
Cycling Without Age Canada founder Jane Hu was glad to see such enthusiasm.
“We measure our trips by smiles,” said Hu. “Everybody says, ‘How many rides do you do each year? How many kilometres do you do?’ and I always answer in how many smiles we’ve provided. Because not only do the three people on the bike smile, the (seniors’ residence) staff do and the people watching do out in the community do, too.
“A lot of times if our seniors are out with a walker or in a wheelchair, people don’t make eye contact. (But with the trishaws), not only are they making eye contact, they’re smiling, they’re engaging in conversation, they’re sharing stories and they’re talking about their lives.”
During the launch event, Hu stated her intention of growing the trishaw program over the next three years to include three additional units.
For more information, including support opportunities, email cwamedhat@gmail.com.
