Penticton residents enjoy an outing with the Cycling Without Age program that began in the city in 2018.
Image Credit: SUBMITTED / Cycling Without Age
December 10, 2019 - 3:00 PM
A new community initiative designed to get elderly and shut-in residents out for a bike ride has gained substantial traction in Penticton since its introduction in 2018.
Cycling Without Age is a global grassroots movement that is now represented in 42 countries with 1,643 chapter locations around the world.
The Penticton chapter is finishing up a very successful year with hopes to build on this year’s achievements going into 2020.
This year the Penticton chapter provided 1,350 rides, more per year than any other city in North America, a press release issued today, Dec. 10, by OneSky Community Resources stated.
Next year, Cycling Without Age hopes to add two more trishaws to the fleet with plans to provide 5,000 rides.
More volunteers are needed for trishaw pilots, who are put through a screening and training process, and must be able to commit to riding two to three hours a week.
Volunteers drive the program that uses distinctive, three-wheeled electric bikes that can take one or two passengers for a front seat ride in the fresh air.
Penticton Chapter Founder Neil Pritchard founded the Penticton chapter with volunteers who are screened, trained and supported by OneSky Community Resources to provide the pedal power for the rides.
Other Penticton organizations that have stepped up to help include Cascade Aqua Tech Ltd, The Bike Barn, The Hamlets and Cowork Penticton.
Cycling Without Age launched its Vernon chapter earlier this year, providing a new opportunity for the city’s seniors to get outside and enjoy the outdoors once in a while.
Anyone interested in volunteering should send an email to penticton@cyclingwithoutage.ca or visit the Cycling Without Age website here.
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