WHO WE ARE
Cycling Without Age is a global movement started in 2012 in Copenhagen. We aim to reach and improve the lives of the elderly and break them free from social isolation. We take them for rides to enjoy fresh air, and conversation and together, we create memories and smiles. Each CWA Chapter organizes their own operations and works with the volunteers in its community. BC and Canadian CWA chapters.
About the Vancouver Chapter
Broadway Lodge Rides Summer 2021
Founded in the spring of 2018 with our community partner BEST (Better Environmentally Sound Transportation), we purchased our first trishaw in the spring of 2019 and our second trishaw arrived in spring 2020. In the Fall of 2020, we became a registered Society and now operate as Vancouver Cycling Without Age Society.
Our primary ride area is around the West End, Yaletown, False Creek, and West Side of Vancouver. Our partners include senior centres, senior care homes, recreation centres, and organizations that support those with disabilities. Our primary passengers are seniors who are isolated and benefit from the opportunity to get out and enjoy the wind in their hair.
In July 2022 we are introducing Community Rides starting and ending in Leg-in-Boot Square in False Creek, Vancouver. Our rides are 50 minutes including a 10-minute meet/greet and ride preparation. We require all passengers, including their companions, to be vaccinated and sign passenger waivers. Our rides are by donation and we give priority to seniors who would enjoy the social connections with family and friends. Sign UP online
S.U.C.C.E.S.S family rides 2021
How You Can Help Us
BE A VOLUNTEER
Volunteers sign up to pilot the trishaws, organize the rides or help with many other activities. The Vancouver Chapter’s primary ride dates and times are seven days a week between 10-4 pm. Thank you to everyone interested in volunteering and supporting our 2022 ride season, we have all the Pilots we need for 2022. Sign up for our next Information Session.
BE A DONOR
We’re looking for generous financial donors to help us with the operational costs of Cycling Without Age Vancouver, or in-kind donors to provide items or services of need. Donations can be given through Canada Helps.
BE A PARTNER
We primarily work with long-term care homes to design a regular program of rides, routes, and schedules. Let us take your seniors for a ride and give them the opportunity to feel the wind in their hair. Our partners include:
- ASK Friendship Society
- Broadway Lodge
- Creekside Community Centre
- S.U.C.C.E.S.S.
- West End Seniors’ Network (WESN)
- Windermere Care Home
Windermere Care rides Summer 2021
BUILDING COMMUNITY
CWA is less about volunteering in the traditional sense of the word, and more about active citizenship. Citizenship is driven by a desire to get involved and to make a real difference for someone. Thank you to everyone interested in volunteering and supporting our 2022 ride season, we have all the pilots (bike riders) we need for the season.
City of Vancouver presentation with founder Ole Kassow
OUR GUIDING PRINCIPLES
Generosity: Cycling Without Age is based on generosity and kindness. It starts with the obvious generous act of taking one or two elderly or less-abled people out on a bike ride. It’s a simple act that everyone can do.
Slowness: Slowness allows you to sense the environment, be present at the moment and it allows people you meet along the way to be curious and gain knowledge about Cycling Without Age because you make time to stop and talk.
Storytelling: Elderly people have so many stories that will be forgotten if we don’t reach out and listen to them. We tell stories, we listen to stories on the bike and we also document the stories when we share them via word of mouth or on social media.
Relationships: Cycling Without Age is about creating a multitude of new relationships: between generations, among the elderly, between pilots and passengers, nursing homes employees, and family members. Relationships build trust, happiness, and quality of life.
Without Age: Life does not end when you turn 75. Life unfolds at all ages, young and old, and can be thrilling, fun, sad, beautiful, and meaningful. Cycling Without Age is about letting people age in a positive context.
CWA Vancouver milestones:
- November 2018 – Seniors Safely Cycling was awarded People’s Choice at City of Vancouver Citystudio HUBBUB
- January 2019 – secured financial support from the City of Vancouver and donations
- March 2019 – partnered with Better Environmentally Sound Transportation
- June 2019 – received our first trishaw from Triobike
- June 2019 – presented at the BC Active Transportation Summit
- June 2019 – offered promo rides at the West End Seniors’ Network Strawberry Festival
- July 2019 – launched weekly rides with members of the West End Seniors’ Network
- July 2019 – promoted at SUCCESS Walk With The Dragon
- August 2019 – participated with WESN at the 2019 Pride Parade
- September 2019 – exhibitor at the North Shore Seniors’ Health Expo
- October 2019 – exhibitor at the Kits House Autumn Fair
- November 2019 – nominated for the Small Business BC Community Impact Award
- January 2020 – our first Newsletter is published
- March 2020 – our second trishaw arrived from Van Raam
- March 2020 – official registration in BC as the Vancouver Cycling Without Age Society
- October 2020 – Global News B.C. volunteers make sure voters get to polls
- November 2020 – Vancouver Cycling Without Age Society is now a registered charity
- June – October 2021 – a fun season of rides with seniors from Broadway Lodge, Windermere Care Centre, Chalmers Lodge, SUCCESS
- June 2022 – We start our season with partner rides for Seniors Week June 5-11
- July 2022 – Introducing Community Rides (public) with online SignUP
CWA Vancouver Director & Pilot Jen Reid at CWA Western Conference 2019 Canmore Alberta
Cycling Without Age is based on generosity and kindness. It starts with the obvious generous act of taking one or two elderly or less-abled people out on a bike ride. It’s a simple act that everyone can do.
Cycling Without Age Worldwide Facts As of December 2021
- Invented in 2012 in Copenhagen
- Represented in 52 countries
- 2,700 chapter locations
- 3,700 trishaws
- 35,000 trained cycle pilots
- Over 2.5 million people served
- Oldest pilot is 90 (Jørgen Hass, Denmark)
- Oldest passenger Pauline Angleman, 110 from California (sharply followed by youngster Edith Green, 108, from Bournemouth)
Contact Us
Cycling Without Age Vancouver
vancouver@cyclingwithoutage.ca
www.facebook.com/cwavancouver
www.instagram.com/cwa_vancouver
Please note – we do not rent our trishaws
To purchase a trishaw of your own visit Velolifestyle
