Help Greytown Lions Cycling Without Age

Cycling Without Age is a movement started in 2012 in Denmark. The aim was to help elderly people with limited mobility get out as they did when they were younger, the answer was a trishaw for free rides for care facility residents.

Cycling Without Age has now spread to 38 countries. At present (June 2018) more than 1,100 chapters with more than 1,500 trishaws offer Cycling Without Age, and the numbers are growing. More than 10,000 pilots take people out of their care facilities to enjoy the fresh air and the community around them. They give them the right to wind in their hair.

The Dream

“We dream of creating a world together, in which access to active citizenship creates happiness among our fellow elderly citizens by providing them with an opportunity to remain in society and the community.

We do this by giving them the right to wind in their hair, the right to experience the town and nature close up and opportunities to tell their stories. This builds bridges between generations and reinforces trust, respect and the glue that holds our society together.’

How It Works

Volunteers (pilots) sign up for bike rides with the elderly as often or as rarely as they want to. It’s all driven by people’s own motivation. At present (June 2018) more than 1,100 chapter locations around the world offer Cycling Without Age from well over 1,500 trishaws – and the numbers are still growing. More than 10,000 pilots ensure that the elderly get out of their care facilities, out on the bikes to enjoy the fresh air and the community around them. They give them the right to wind in their hair.

The trishaw can take two passengers, making it a wonderful shared experience, and it is controlled and powered by a cyclist, referred to as a ‘pilot’. To date our pilots have been both Lions Club members and volunteers from the community who have heard of our trial and come forward to help.

One volunteer pilot told us “It's about giving back, this makes me feel great and feel grateful that I can use my able body to bring pleasure to those who wouldn't otherwise get that opportunity”. “The reaction from the community is outstanding and the positivity and recognition grows each time the bike goes out. People wave out from their cars, truckies toot and wave, business owners stop you for a chat, and drivers stop to let you cross the road”.

In relation to one of his passengers he states “We venture to parts of the town he remembers when he was well and parts which are newly developed and he hasn't seen”.

The Noel Hamilton House Service Manager, says, “I have seen the benefits to those who have used it

to date and seen those individuals spirits lifted immensely on their return from venturing out. Getting outdoors on a regular basis is an incredibly important step for individuals to safeguard their health and live a more fulfilled life. For those who are struggling to come to terms with their declining health and mobility, the Trishaw is an immeasurable gift”.

And we plan to extend these experiences to our whole community. We want to reach out to anyone who is perhaps in their own home and not as able to get out and about like they would like. We are working through some local agencies but this is one area we need help from our community, that is, if you know of someone who could benefit from our services, please let us know, and we can approach them.