Cycling Without Age Bend

Cycling Without Age is based in Copenhagen, Denmark and has chapters all around the world. CWA brings the experience of riding a bike to our aging community members through the use of a "trishaw," a three-wheeled bike that comfortably carries two riders up front while a volunteer pedals. This enables those who are unable to ride a bike to feel "the wind in their hair." the exhilaration and pure joy that riding a bike elicits.

The Guiding Principles of CWA are:

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.

Slow Cycling: Slow cycling allows you to sense the environment, be present in 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.

A great origination story and description of CWA is in the TED Talk:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O6Ti4qUa-OU

In the future, I'd like to incorporate the use of therapy dogs, especially for solo riders, for companionship and stress reduction.

Funded by Bend, OR (April 2017)