A trishaw is an electrically-assisted cargo bike. With two front-facing passenger seats, the pilot sits behind and slightly above the passengers. Conversation flows, as free-flowing as the gentle wind. Breezily, its reverse-rickshaw generates a ‘wind-in-the-hair’ feeling.
“Let your hair blow in the wind, and all that. It’s OK. All you have to do is look neat when you have to look neat.” ~Actress, Hedi Lamarr
Copenhagen engineer and social innovator, Ole Kassow, initiated the Cycling-Without-Age (CWA) movement in 2012 to empower those with lost mobility to recapture that windblown feeling.
In a TedxCopenhagenTalk, he says:
“When we grow older, our eyes, our legs may prevent us from cycling (and we) miss the… freedom, and the joy… (Returning to cycling) gave a whole new mobility, and (being a pilot) gave me an insight into my city that I’d never experienced.”
In less than a decade, CWA has rolled out in 50 countries: 2,200 chapters, 3,000 trishaws, 33,000 trained riders or pilots, and 1.5 million people served. In Canada, there are 33 chapters. One third of them are in BC. Victoria was the first adopter in 2017 with other chapters following suit.
Carson Sage was a University of Victoria Kinesiology Masters’ student when he developed a Cycling-Without-Age manual like an “everything-you-need-to know” to start your own CWA chapter (Canada edition).
“The trishaw bicycle is a tool for social change as it will reduce social isolation and depression in the aging population… CWA is more than just about bicycles,” says Carson in a Victoria Chapter Vimeo. “It provides seniors with the opportunity to remain an active part of society and reconnect with their neighbours. Intergenerational relationships are nurtured between the passengers and volunteer riders.”
North-Shore-Chapter Chairman Ian Rose-Innes does a safety check before we seatbelt-strap into cushioned seats. We’re test-riding the classic Ami trishaw’s (French for ‘friend,’ pronounced ‘ah-mee’) wood-grained bucket for a test ride.
With Ian at the helm, we tour the West Vancouver waterfront and arrive at Ambleside Pier via the Spirit Trail. Crabbers are washing their catch. Onlookers wave and watch. Ian maintains a steady pace, no faster than 15 kilometres per hour. We jostle happily, as if on a bus, bumping along. Birdsong and the burbling Capilano River are close companions.
“I love the feeling of the fresh air on my face and the wind blowing through my hair.” ~Stuntman, Evel Knievel
We share that Evel-Knievel feeling without 75 ramp-to-ramp motorcycle jumps in hair-ruffling versus hair-raising style.
Active Aging Week is an international initiative in early fall that showcases the capabilities of older adults. It models change in the way we age. CWA jumps aboard with Maintenance Manager and volunteer, Mark MacAulay. He sanitizes the Ami for riders from Summerhill Parc Independent Living Residence.
“It’s a very powerful motor,” says Mark. “Its big advantage is its regenerative braking. When I go downhill, it’s recovering the battery, but it’s also braking a lot electrically without using the brake pads.”
Our first rider is Jeannine McDonell. Pre-ride, she says, “I’ll just tell you I love it… just the fact that there’s an ease of going. Gosh… to tootle off like that… it’s like I’m floating.”
Jeannine’s enthusiasm may be contained behind her mask, but it spills over in her sparkling eyes.
“It’s kind of like a sleigh ride,” says Betty McIlroy, snug under her blanket.
“We’re fit seniors,” says Fiona Walsh, Volunteer Coordinator with the North Shore Chapter of CWA. “We want to help (mobility-challenged) seniors get out… open them up to the surroundings.”
A care home volunteer, bicycle advocate, and retired teacher, Fiona maintains that three training sessions are a minimum requirement. Volunteers first learn about the trishaw (the machine and the whole setup). They then try one passenger in the bucket before carrying a two-passenger load.
“I started the North Shore Chapter two-and-a-half years ago, and you are my first passengers,” Ian Rose-Innes tells Mary Reichelt and Reuben Marks as they belt up for a ride.
“It’s kind of exciting,” says Mary. “That’s what we like!”
They loop around the Spirit Trail and pier.
“The pier… just the feeling of the air,” says Lena Beebe, next on deck. “And we had such a good driver!”
“This is a great day for me,” says Ian. “I learned a lot today about what people enjoy, just by doing it.”
Ian explains how COVID-19 gave CWA-North Shore an opportunity for a slow start.
“This is all about safety,” he says. “I want a trishaw that will not exceed the limit I set it to under any circumstances.”
The team at the North Shore Chapter of CWA upgraded the Ami over the winter and decided what other equipment to buy. Priorities included a base and a storage trailer. Groups of people will arrive by bus or by car to West Vancouver’s Ambleside Park, The Shipyards in North Vancouver, or to the Lower Seymour Conservation Reserve (LSCR) trailhead. Rides will happen for up to four passengers at a time (on two trishaws), while the rest of the group socializes.
A booking system is in place for potential passengers. Care homes can contact CWA to book group excursions and rides. Those who live in their own homes can contact a booking agent at a telephone number displayed on the website.
Silver Harbour Seniors’ Activity Centre in North Vancouver owns the North Shore Chapter with support from West Vancouver Seniors’ Activity Centre. The program works (the accounting and the insurance) under the guidance of Silver Harbour Executive Director, Annwen Loverin.
“That relationship took a year to find,” says Ian. “The way to do it on the North Shore is to have one organization who oversees everybody.”
Freedom feels like hair swept free. A free trishaw ride delivers that feeling to those who’ve been cooped up, and that feels like generosity and kindness.
Joan Boxall is author of DrawBridge: Drawing Alongside My Brother’s Schizophrenia 2019 Caitlin Press
Join the team! (Cell: 604-813-5526)
https://cyclingwithoutage.ca/northshore/
https://www.activeagingweek.com/about.php
http://www.silverharbourcentre.com/
https://youtu.be/O6Ti4qUa-OU (TedxTalk by Ole Kassow)
2,373 views