Vancouver B.C.

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. Make them smile. Create new memories and be a part of society again and thereby renew their appetite for life itself. We believe that life can be beautiful even if you’re close to 100 years. Click here for a list of BC and Canadian CWA chapters.

About the Vancouver Chapter

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 we 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 with special trips organized with our community partners. 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 assistance to get out and enjoy the wind in their hair.

Photo March 2019 – the CWA Vancouver team meet Ole Kassow, the Copenhagen-based global founder

HOW IT WORKS

Volunteers (pilots) sign up to pilot the trishaws (ride) the elderly as often or as rarely as they want to. Each chapter organizes its own operations and works with the volunteers in their community. Click here for a list of BC and Canadian CWA chapters.

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. It’s about creating relationships between people.

Consider being a donor. Cycling Without Age Vancouver operates through the kindness of our donors and grants. Donations can be given through our partner BEST at Canada Helps.

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 – fully aware of the opportunities that lie ahead when interacting in their local community.

Cycling Without Age Facts As of March 2021

• • Invented in 2012 in Copenhagen
  • Represented in 51 countries
  • 2,500 chapter locations
  • 3,500 trishaws
  • 35,000 trained cycle pilots
  • Over 1.9 million people served
  • Oldest pilot is 90 (Jørgen Hass, Denmark)
  • Oldest passenger Edith Green, 108, from Bournemouth (sharply followed by youngsters Gerda Mathiasen, Dragør/Denmark, Madam Yeo Iu, Singapore, and Dagny Carlsson, Sweden, all 107)

Photo September 2018 – Streets Alive! On the Arbutus Greenway with our partner BEST (Better Environmentally Sound Transportation)

Photo August 2019 – False Creek