The Cycling Without Age Sault Ste. Marie Committee has been working towards fundraising events to reach the goal of $20,000, the estimated cost of the trishaw bike needed to begin operations. However, in December 2023, it was revealed to the Committee that a trishaw bike had been purchased and donated to the not-for-profit organization.
Board of Directors Chair, Kristy Delavalle, said “When the committee learned about the donation of the first trishaw bike, everyone was so thrilled. We had many plans in action to secure our first bike and were very ready to take on the task to ensure we would have a bike come spring 2024. Now that we have our first bike it has taken a little bit of pressure off knowing we will certainly be able to provide rides and our efforts can now go towards the purchase of a second trishaw bike.”
Cycling Without Age is a movement that began in 2012 in Copenhagen, Denmark. This not-for-profit organization is 100% volunteer based and offers seniors and those with limited mobility the opportunity to participate in free bike rides around their communities on a specialized bike called a trishaw. A trishaw is a three-wheeled, pedal-powered machine with a Pilot behind, and a passenger seat up front.
Currently there are 3050 active chapters in 39 countries, 4900 trishaw bikes, and over 3 million rides.
Cycling Without Age Sault Ste. Marie began its initiative to launch a chapter in the community in 2023 with President and Founder of Superior Staff it, Sheri-Ann Morin, and her team as the driving force behind the cause. Sheri-Ann stated “I have wanted to get involved with Cycling Without Age since 2018 when I watched a small clip on Facebook. I was moved by the community approach, the breaking down of generational boundaries, the principles, and simply just to help put the wind back in a senior’s hair!”
Superior Staff it Inc organized a fundraising golf tournament in July 2023 to secure funds to be put towards the purchase of the chapter’s first trishaw bike. Since the golf tournament, the Cycling Without Age Sault Ste. Marie Chapter has established a committee of 9 like-minded individuals who are striving to ensure the program is successful in Sault Ste. Marie.
Operations for the Cycling Without Age Sault Ste. Marie chapter is set to begin this spring as they prepare for their inaugural bike ride. Fundraising efforts will continue for on-going operational costs and a goal to purchase a second trishaw bike to increase the number of seniors reached within the community. “I envision a trishaw bike located at each long-term care home here in Sault Ste. Marie. The sky is the limit!” Morin said regarding fundraising efforts.
Cycling Without Age Sault Ste. Marie and their trishaw bike will be located outside of Windsor Place on February 9th, 2024, from 5:00pm-10:00pm at the Downtown Association Block Party in collaboration with Bon Soo. Be sure to check them out to learn more about the organization and experience demo rides on the trishaw.
For more information you can contact Cycling Without Age Sault Ste. Marie at [email protected].