Programs
Cycling Without Age
We believe that everyone should have access to the freedom and joy of cycling, regardless of their age and ability. That’s why Pedal Power has partnered with the local community to provide trishaw rides to people living in aged care. Our Cycling Without Age trishaw rides are part of a global volunteer movement driven by the motivation to give elderly people the right to wind in their hair.
The Cycling Without Age movement
Cycling Without Age was started in Denmark in 2012 by Ole Kassow, who wanted to help elderly people with limited mobility get back on their bicycles. He started with a simple idea – offering free trishaw rides to local nursing home residents. The idea has now grown into a global movement, with more than 1000 trishaws bringing the joy of cycling to people in 28 countries. Cycling Without Age is founded upon the following core principles:
Generosity: It starts with the act of taking one or two elderly or less-abled people out on a bike ride. It’s a simple act of kindness that everyone can do.
Slow Cycling: Riding slowly allows you to sense the environment, be present in the moment, and take the time to stop and talk to people you meet along the way.
Storytelling: If we don’t reach out and listen, the stories of elderly people will be forgotten. On the bike we tell stories, we listen to stories and we document the stories we hear.
Relationships: Relationships build trust, happiness and quality of life. Cycling together creates new relationships between pilots and passengers; between generations, and among nursing home residents, employees and family members.
Without Age: Life does not end when you turn 75! It unfolds at all ages, and can be thrilling, fun, sad, beautiful and meaningful for young and old.
Learn more about the Cycling without Age movement.
Our Trishaw rides
In 2016, Pedal Power ACT launched Australia’s first Cycling Without Age program with support from the IRT Foundation, the ACT Government, the Danish Embassy in Australia, and Rotary.
Pedal Power recruits and trains volunteer trishaw pilots from across the community, including Pedal Power members and University of Canberra students, and coordinates regular rides with aged care residents.
Cycling Without Age is currently active at:
Kangara Waters, Belconnen
Uniting Amala, Gordon
We are also exploring opportunities to expand the program to additional locations in the future.
THANK YOU TO OUR SUPPORTERS
Rotary
We’re incredibly grateful to the Rotary Club of Murrumbidgee Canberra for their generous support of our Cycling Without Age program.
Through their donation to our Trishaw fleet, Rotary is helping us create moments of connection, conversation, and pure delight for our passengers and volunteer pilots alike. Together, we’re proving it’s never too late to enjoy the simple freedom of a bike ride.
Thank you, Rotary Club of Murrumbidgee Canberra, for helping us keep the wheels turning!
