Enjoy a ride, no matter your mobility
Crescentwood couple starting local chapter of international initiative Cycling Without Age
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This article was published 17/04/2017 (3323 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.
A couple from Crescentwood is going through the gears to help seniors get out and about in their community.
On May 2, Wendy and Michael Erlanger will introduce Cycling Without Age (CWA) to the community in Winnipeg, launching the city’s first chapter.
The CWA Winnipeg chapter launch happens at the Riverview Health Centre (1 Morley Ave.) at 10:30 a.m. CWA founder Ole Kassow will also be on hand to launch the chapter.
Created in Denmark, CWA is an international movement created by Kassow and Dorthe Pedersen that promotes social interaction between generations through cycling.
Using a specialized three-wheel bike, or trishaw, people experiencing barriers to mobility have an opportunity to experience the sensation of cycling from the cab of the trishaw as a volunteer pilot pedals them around. Volunteers will be demonstrating the new trishaws during the chapter launch event.
The Erlangers first came across CWA on a trip to Denmark where Michael, an architect and avid cyclist, was working on his master’s thesis. CWA volunteers in that country provided free bike rides to people living in seniors homes, sharing stories and developing relationships along the way. After meeting with the founders, the Erlangers said they were immediately committed to bringing CWA to Winnipeg.
“It spoke to both of us. It spoke to Mike I think from a cycling perspective, it spoke to me from the human interaction and connection perspective,” Wendy explained. “We felt it was one of those things that wouldn’t be that difficult to make happen.”
Back at home in Winnipeg, the Erlangers pitched the idea to the Riverview Health Centre Foundation (Michael is a board member) and the Canadian National Institute for the Blind (CNIB) which both agreed to purchase a motor assisted trishaw bike for client and community use.
The trishaw is built specifically for the purpose of accommodating seniors, Michael explained, and is outfitted with seat belts, cushions, and a canopy. The bikes cost about $8,000 after shipping from Denmark but are an investment in the well-being of the community, he said.
“I can’t imagine the thrill of being on a bicycle that’s safe and built for that purpose and going out for a 30-minute ride,” Michael said. “I know that I’m in my happy place when I’m on my bike, I can’t imagine that they wouldn’t be either.”
The Winnipeg chapter of CWA will be one of 225 worldwide that provide bike rides to seniors in the community and the first chapter to extend the service to people with visual impairment.
In its early stages, Wendy and Michael expect most of the pilots will be volunteers with the CNIB and Riverview Health Centre or family members looking to take their loved ones out for a spin. However, the Erlangers are looking for volunteers to get involved as pilots and more organizations to join Winnipeg’s CWA chapter.
“Our hope is that other organizations feel this is worthwhile and we would love to see five or 10 bikes in the city,” Wendy said.
“It’s all about the connection between pilot and passenger,” she added. “It’s about talking to them, getting to hear their story… and allowing them to get out and experience some nice fresh air.”
For more information go to cyclingwithoutage.org and to get in touch with local organizers email cwawinnipeg@gmail.com
History
Updated on Tuesday, April 18, 2017 3:31 PM CDT: In a previous version, Michael Erlanger was incorrectly identified as a city planner. He is an architect.