Cycling Without Age Williamsburg regulars, Jeannette Olechnowich and Gracie Prusik, enjoy a ride down Duke of Gloucester Street piloted by Mark Holt.
Cycling Without Age, a new program in Williamsburg, enables senior citizens with mobility issues to enjoy the sunshine while being outdoors.
Williamsburg Area Bicyclists (WAB) and BikeWalk Williamsburg, along with many local senior and assisted living communities, businesses and organizations, established the Williamsburg chapter of Cycling Without Age in 2018. The program, which first began in Denmark, offers seniors free rides on a trishaw, a three-wheeled bicycle with a seat in the front for passengers. Trained “pilots,”or drivers, can take two passengers at a time on a ride.
Seniors can enjoy a 20- to 40-minute ride departing either from the JamesCity County Marina or downtown in the Historic area weekly from April through September weather permitting. Williamsburg Landing, one of the sponsors ofCycling Without Age, also offers rides to seniors throughout its community every Wednesday.
Mark Holt, committee chair for Cycling Without Age, is one of the pilots.Cycling Without Age, “struck a chord with me,” he said. “I’ve always liked bicycling. My father was a cyclist, and he would have enjoyed riding on the trishaw. Some seniors don’t get outside a lot, so this is something they really enjoy. I’m 67 and someday you’ll be seeing me out here in that seat as well.”
During its inaugural season, Cycling Without Age provided 100 rides to 150individuals; some seniors loved it so much they rode along multiple times. The program was so successful that a second trishaw was purchased for utilization this season.
Jeannette Olechnowich, a resident of Verena at the Reserve, has ridden many times.
“I think it is great,” she said. “It’s nice to be bicycled around and enjoy all the woods and landscaping and just being outside.”
About 40 trained volunteers help pilot the trishaws with more drivers still needed.
Fran Wenbert, who volunteers as a driver, decided to become involved withCycling Without Age after seeing how happy it made her father, a resident at Brookdale Senior Living.
“The seniors all had a blast that day,” she said. “It’s very rewarding to take them for a ride. It’s something fun for seniors to do. It gives them a reason to come outand get some fresh air. They love it. I also hope to be a passenger one day.”
To learn more about Cycling Without Age, or to volunteer, contact Mark Holt at mark927@aol.comor visit them on Facebook at facebook.com/cyclingwithoutagewilliamsburg.
