A program that doesn’t let age interfere with getting out and about is gearing up.
Cycling Without Age (CWA) offers trishaw rides to seniors and those with mobility issues.
The two trishaw bikes have been busy over the years and now there is a third added to the fleet.
A donation last fall from IODE BC (Inclusive, Organized, Dedicated, Enthusiastic) of $21,050.45 covered the cost of one trishaw, extra battery and blanket, which came from Denmark earlier this year.
IODE is a Canadian Women’s charitable organization that has been in B.C. since 1913. Their focus is to improve life for those in their province and beyond through education support, community service and citizenship programs.
“IODE heard about our CWA program and loved how it was enhancing the lives of seniors in our area,” said Lauren Lypchuk. “I was contacted by IODE member Gail Delaney in July 2023 asking if we could do with another trishaw. IODE made it happen and here we are now with a brand new trishaw expanding our trishaw fleet to three bikes.”
Rolling into its fourth season, running from mid-May to Oct. 31, CWA volunteers give seniors free rides on the specialized e-assist bikes.
“The addition of the third trishaw on behalf of IODE is really going to provide our program with a lot more flexibility,” said Lypchuk.
“CWA volunteers have taken over 1,300 seniors on the trishaws, covering over 8,000 kilometres around our amazing community giving our seniors an opportunity they otherwise would never have - visiting and experiencing local sites they would never have access to, out from the confines of their residences. The effect on our elderly passengers is often transformational. We routinely hear how valued our passengers feel, how magnificent the views are from the trishaw and that it often is the highlight of the summer.
One of the favorite routes is the Rail Trail along Kalamalka Lake. They also have routes through Polson Park, around downtown Vernon, out to Kin Beach and new in 2023 is a downtown mural viewing route.
CWA works with 12 local senior residences taking residents and those living in their own homes out for free rides. Once the program is underway, there will be a booth at the Schubert Centre to sign up for those living on their own.
New volunteers are welcomed and can email cyclingwithoutage.vernon.bc@gmail.com. Pilots, those providing rides on the trishaw, need cycling experience and all volunteers attend introductory meetings in April/May and trained by CWA on the trishaws.
“It truly is a humbling, gratifying and heartwarming experience to take our seniors on these wonderful rides,” said Lypchuk.