Nelson, British Columbia

About The Nelson Chapter

The Nelson Chapter of Cycling Without Age got started in September of 2017 when Wendy Baker-Konkin became a CWA affiliate. She began talking to everyone she knew and everyone she didn’t know about the great idea that began in Copenhagen in 2012. Luckily, she was giving flu shots in October and happened to meet Bob Schmitz. She shared her excitement about the organization and he was so enraptured with it that he came back the next day to declare he and his family would love to purchase a trishaw to get Nelson’s chapter rolling.  It became apparent that fundraising would still be necessary to cover operating costs, including insurance, maintenance, safety equipment and storage. Bob and Wendy recruited a third partner, June Spearman, so they would meet the 3 director minimum requirement of an incorporated society in British Columbia. CWA Cycling Society of Nelson, BC was successful in obtaining grants  through FONE (Friends of Nelson Elders in Care) and Columbia Basin Trust Community Initiatives Program. CWA Nelson has also been generously supported by Save-On Foods,  Kootenay Co-Op  and Secret Service Cycles. Our first trishaw, Hazel, arrived in May of 2018, and we have been actively recruiting and training pilots, participating in community events, building ridership and SPREADING JOY ever since.

 

The Nelson Team

 

Wendy Baker-Konkin   wendy@cyclingwithoutage.ca

 

Bob Schmitz                     kootenaybob@gmail.com

 

June Spearman              cwanelsonrides@gmail.com

Would you like to get involved?

Cycling Without Age Canada is being established in cities and communities throughout Canada. Some already have bikes and some are at the fundraising stage.

You can help local chapters by volunteering, donating towards a trishaw bike, offering coffee for cycling parties (if you’re a business owner). Get involved to help your local chapters grow and flourish.

FIND YOUR LOCAL CHAPTER

Contact Cycling Without Age, Nelson   cwanelsonrides@gmail.com    250-505-1999

Gordon Fleming, our first official rider, May 2018
Lakeside Park Canada Day fun, July 1, 2018
Riding with Jude and Kay, June 2018
With Paul LeBlanc, President ALS Society of BC, June 2018
ALS walk, June 2018

 

CWA Nelson  was pleased to be invited by Gord Shannon to participate in the annual Nelson ALS fundraiser walk in June.

The event raised over $25,000.

ALS Walk, June 2018
  • Coffee friends
  • Chapters with trishaws
  • New chapters fundraising for trishaws

Guiding Principles

Generosity

Slowness

Storytelling

Relationships

Without Age

Why do you want to become a pilot for Cycling Without Age?

 

I read about the trishaw in the Star and thought it sounded like a great idea.  I am deeply moved by the TED Talk by the man who started this program, especially how seniors benefit from the outings. I see being a pilot as a way to extend my love of cycling and being outdoors to folks with mobility issues, thereby enhancing their lives.     Julia

 

Cycling Without Age seems like a great way to engage with our elder community. And I love the smile riding a bike puts on your face.     Phillip

 

I am struck by how much the trishaw resonated with me when I saw you in the park and how grateful I am that this service is available given the components of human connection, environmental affirmation, and collective community sharing with those who are vulnerable.     Mary Ann

 

Join us…….. and as well as a smile on your face you will be wearing a sweet Cycling Without Age, Nelson  T-shirt.