Cycling Without Age
Who doesn’t love to jump on their bike on a warm summer day and enjoy the sun on your face while riding on a great trail? Now, what if there was a way to do this while helping seniors enjoy this same experience?
That’s where Cycling Without Age comes in.
“We dream of creating a world together, in which the access to active citizenship creates happiness among our fellow elderly citizens by providing them with an opportunity to remain an active part of society and the local community.” Cycling Without Age
In this Missional Moment, we talk to volunteer and Compass Point member Alan Lambshead to learn a little bit more about how he has connected his neighbours to nature and community while riding a bike!
Where did you first hear about Cycling without Age, and what was it that made you want to get involved?
I first heard about Cycling Without Age in an article in the Hamilton Spectator in October 2021. The headline of the article read: ”Cycling Without Age gives seniors a ‘breath of fresh air during a hard time.'” As I read through the article I thought – my father would have loved this, and it is an amazing way to show love to seniors who are often unable to enjoy the outdoors. I am an avid cyclist, and said to my wife Donna “this is something I could do.” So, I sent an email to Nancy Gray, whose contact information was in the article. Nancy is one of the co-founders of the Hamilton Chapter of Cycling Without Age.
Cycling Without Age is an international non-profit organization that started in Denmark in 2012. It now has over 2500 chapters worldwide, with over 40 in Canada. Their primary goal is to promote social inclusion and improve the well-being of seniors and people with limited mobility. They do this by taking seniors on cycling trips which combats isolation, provides a sense of freedom and reconnects them with their communities and the natural environment. The organization is completely operated by local community volunteers.
Cycling Without Age uses specially designed trishaw bicycles, equipped with a passenger bench seat in the front allowing one or two passengers to ride at a time. The trishaw is pedal-powered with electric assist. The trishaw has passenger seat belts, a blanket for cool days, and a canopy for hot sunny days. The Hamilton-Burlington chapter of CWA now owns 3 trishaws, all purchased through generous community donors. One of the three trishaws is located in Burlington, the other two are in Hamilton.
Can you tell us a little about what you do specifically as a volunteer? Who are the people that you serve?
I volunteer as a trishaw Pilot or a Bike Buddy. As a pilot, I assist the residence staff to help the passengers get on and off the trishaw safely. I also make sure they are seat-belted in and comfortable for the ride. After a very brief introduction and orientation I pilot the trishaw for approximately 45-50 minutes. We always use safe off-road paths, with controlled road crossings at traffic lights, when necessary. The design of the trishaw allows us to be in conversation with the passengers throughout the ride.
The second area I volunteer is as a Bike Buddy where I ride my own bicycle in front of the trishaw.
I make sure that other users of the path are aware of the trishaw coming (It is 40 inches wide) and to have them move to the side of the path. As a Bike Buddy, I am also responsible to assist the pilots by identifying any obstacles or debris on the path and to make sure that the traffic has stopped at road crossings and the way is clear. In case of any type of emergency the Bike Buddy provides assistance.
This year we are serving seniors from five different locations – 2 retirement homes, 1 long term care home, a Halton Seniors’ Apartment building, and Wellington Square United church seniors’ HUB/lunch program. All the rides are free and staffed by volunteers. CWA provides an easy online signup system for volunteers to choose when they will serve, and in what capacity.
What is your favourite part about volunteering with this organization?
My favourite part of volunteering is seeing the joy on the passenger’s faces, and their conversation, as we ride along. Often passengers are a little apprehensive at first because it is a new experience. But once they take a ride, it brings joy into their life. For those who have grown up in Burlington, they often reminisce about places or activities they did in their younger years.
I enjoy cycling, so it is not a burden, but it brings great enjoyment to me knowing that I am making a difference in their quality of life.
Are there any stories that might have impacted you that you would be willing to share?
On the very first day I volunteered in Hamilton, there was a visiting Navy sailboat from Halifax docked at the waterfront where we were riding. One of my passengers was thrilled to be able to talk to the young sailors from the boat, and get her picture taken, so she could send it to her grandson who was stationed in BC with the Navy.
One day in Burlington, we were riding on the Centennial path behind Nelson High School. One of my riders was a former teacher at Nelson, and he was telling us stories of his time as a teacher there.
Another one of our passengers was a 100-year young lady who was riding for the first time. She was accompanied by a ‘younger’ regular rider that helped ease some of her initial anxiety about riding. When we returned, she told John, who was piloting, and myself, what a great time she had, and even asked for us to come inside and have our picture taken with her.
What might you say to people who are looking to get involved in their community and why it’s important to do so.
There are many reasons to get involved in our community, such as:
- Meet new people of all ages and builds new relationships
- Makes a difference to build a stronger community
- Develops new skills and experiences
- Personal fulfillment and happiness
- Learn more about your community
- Inspire others to volunteer
- To share the love of Jesus in a natural context
For me it is a way to share the love of Jesus especially to those who are disadvantaged, or in vulnerable situations, as Jesus reminded us in Matthew 25:40:
‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’
It also helps me focus on others and their needs, instead of being inwardly focused. God has blessed each of us in so many ways.
Ways to get involved in your community:
- Find something you already love to do
- Find an organization that meets those needs
- Google for “volunteer opportunities in Burlington” or whatever community you live in
You can contact Cycling Without Age Hamilton-Burlington as follows:
Facebook: Hamilton & Burlington Cycling Without Age
Email: cwahamilton@gmail.com
