Cycling Without Age Ridge Meadows aims to reduce social isolation through trishaw rides

Cycling Without Age Ridge Meadows, a new registered non-profit serving Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows, aims to reduce social isolation by taking seniors and people with mobility issues on rides in rickshaw-style tricycles known as trishaws. The local group is led by Ken Beaune and Chris Diersch and is associated with the Maple Ridge Seniors Activity Centre.

Beaune said the initiative is part of a global volunteer movement that helps people reconnect with their communities. He said residents of nursing homes have few opportunities for adventure, while getting out on a bike in fresh air can provide mental stimulation, lift moods and trigger positive memories. The organization has operated for 14 years and has about 3,000 chapters in 56 countries; the Ridge Meadows chapter would be one of them.

The group is in its early stages and needs to raise about $25,000 to buy an electric-assisted bike. More bikes would be added as demand grows. Beaune said a Vancouver chapter has 11 bikes, a Yarrow group has three, and there are about 15 groups across the province.

At Maple Ridge’s GETI Fest, Beaune offered trishaw rides around Memorial Peace Park, where the introduction was well received. The group also plans community rides from parks, along dikes or at other locations, with one-hour rides available by booking for people who do not live in nursing homes. It is assembling about 20 volunteers to launch the initiative. More information is available at cyclingwithoutage.ca.