Roehl’s Gift: Sharing the Joy of Cycling Through Cycling Without Age
For Roehl, cycling has always been more than just a way to get from point A to point B. It’s a chance to slow down, take in the world, and truly connect with the environment. This passion for cycling and community has now given countless older Canberrans the chance to experience that same sense of freedom and joy, thanks to his generous donation of a trishaw to Pedal Power’s Cycling Without Age program.
Roehl first purchased the trishaw to take his parents for rides, helping them get out of the house as their mobility began to decline. “Cycling gives you time to appreciate the environment in a slow, unhurried pace,” Roehl shared. “I wanted my parents to experience that, even when they could no longer get out themselves.”
Sadly, when Roehl’s father passed away and his mother’s dementia worsened to the point where rides were no longer possible, the trishaw sat unused. Rather than let it gather dust, he decided to pass it on where it could do the most good. “That’s when I thought of donating it to Cycling Without Age, so that other people can benefit from it,” he said.
Roehl hopes his gift will help bring “a little bit of joy for the older people in the nursing home,” allowing them to reconnect with the outside world and feel the wind in their hair.
Having lived in Canberra for over 25 years, Roehl has a long history of giving back. Working in the not-for-profit sector and participating in numerous community fundraising rides for organisations like St Vincent de Paul, HOME in Queanbeyan, and ANCOP, he embodies the spirit of helping others. As an immigrant from the Philippines, he credits his culture’s strong sense of community as his motivation. “We have a natural built-in instinct to help others even if we have little ourselves. This is what brings community together.”
Pedal Power ACT and everyone involved in Cycling Without Age deeply thank Roehl for his remarkable generosity. Thanks to his donation, residents of Uniting Amala at Gordon are now enjoying rides with Roehl around the beautiful Point Hut Pond. Uniting Amala has kindly agreed to house the trishaw, meaning it’s always charged and ready to go when Roehl comes by to take residents out for a spin. This partnership not only makes the rides easier to organise but also ensures more older Canberrans can experience the simple yet profound joy of cycling — proving that one act of kindness can ripple through an entire community.
🚴 Want to help share this joy?
Cycling Without Age is always looking for volunteer pilots to ride our trishaws and take older Canberrans on memorable outings. If you love cycling and want to make a difference, consider joining our team!
