Lisa Parent/CHAT News

By Lisa Parent

Cycling Without Age rolls into second summer, enriching lives of Medicine Hat seniors

Jun 5, 2024 | 5:26 PM

Cycling Without Age Medicine Hat is back for a second summer, breaking down barriers and allowing more seniors to get outside.

The non-profit uses trishaws to give senior’s rides around Medicine Hat, with the goal of positively impacting their mental health.

“I love the scenery, going along the ravines and looking down sights you never see, unless you’re walking. We’re a little too old to walk too far,” Gerry Aitken said, a resident at Cypress View Foundation.

Aitken and Dorothy Csikany went on seven trishaw rides last summer when Cycling Without Age launched in Medicine Hat.

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Wednesday morning they were first in line to get back on.

Lisa Parent/CHAT News

The two companions have been using the rides as a bonding activity and as an excuse for a sweet treat.

“The ice cream is wonderful afterwards,” Csikany said.

The two Cypress View residents said finding a group so dedicated to enhancing seniors’ lives is rare.

“I’ve been in other homes and they don’t really care about the seniors. You’re more or less on your own,” Csikany said.

Twenty-eight volunteer pilots are currently committed to Cycling Without Age, a jump from 15 pilots in 2023.

“One of the things I find is really interesting is as we’re cycling around, vehicles, will slow down and pull over and smile and wave and everyone is just thrilled to see us,” said volunteer pilot Marco Jansen.

“They see what we’re doing and they think it’s really cool and it’s such an incredible way for the residents to feel connected with the community again.”

Hilary Hamilton, the activities coordinator at Cypress View Foundation told CHAT News that the program quickly picked up traction from last year.

Now, there are lineups to get a ride.

“I just think it’s the most amazing program ever. I had no idea how much of an impact it would make on our residents mental health and truly just their joy,” Hamilton said.

Hamilton’s goal is to open this world up to more residents and with help from Aitken and Csikany, it shouldn’t be difficult.

“We kind of help other people to come on rides,” said Csikany.

Cycling Without Age Medicine Hat currently has two trishaws located at Cypress View Foundation.

The Medicine Hat Care Community will be offering rides this month to its residents with one trishaw and The Wellington Retirement Home and Meadow Ridge Seniors Living will soon be offering rides to their residents with one shared trishaw between the two facilities.

If you are interested in volunteering for Cycling Without Age, visit their Facebook Page.