CYCLING WITHOUT AGE
CYCLING WITHOUT AGE
Cycling Without Age currently has fifteen chapters in Alberta:
Beaumont |
Canmore |
Crossfield |
Jasper |
Okotoks |
Calgary |
Cochrane |
Edmonton |
Medicine Hat |
Red Deer |
Camrose |
Cold Lake |
High River |
Nanton |
Rimbey |
To learn more about chapters or the program, visit cyclingwithoutage. ca.
These rides around the city allow passengers to feel like part of the community again. Simply interacting with neighbours reduces feelings of loneliness. Pilots adapt each ride to passengers’ needs, narrating the scenery for visually impaired riders or adjusting conversation for those who are hard of hearing or low energy. The slow pace and emphasis on safety allows
Happy ladies enjoying ice cream everyone to stay comfortable and
present in the moment.
The CWA program was designed to help seniors combat social and physical isolation, but pilots also walk away with a sense of fulfillment and belonging. One volunteer discovered that her late mother attended elementary school with her passenger, who happily shared stories of her mother in her youth. Experiences like this leave many pilots deeply fulfilled.“ I can’ t even explain the feeling of satisfaction and what my passengers give me in return without even knowing it. Thank you for providing me the opportunity to give back to the community.”
Although Julie recognizes how this program can strengthen community, provide a connection to nature, and give seniors new stories to tell, she notes it’ s difficult to tangibly see CWA’ s results.“ It’ s hard to measure what it brings to the resident,” says Julie. Yet the memories speak for themselves: discovering an unexpected connection with a stranger, laughing through a rainstorm, and racing against a melting ice cream cone.
Cycling Without Age volunteers with members
Pilots and passengers are thriving in Medicine Hat, and Julie hopes the program can continue to grow. She envisions CWA Medicine Hat soon being able to offer rides to seniors living outside of care facilities. Julie also encourages folks in other communities to volunteer with their local CWA chapter, and if they don’ t have one, to start one.“ For them, it shows that even though they live in a facility and their life is different now, they can still live their life to the fullest.”
These bike rides provide small, special moments that combat a larger issue of social isolation. All it could take is an ice cream cone and a chat in nature to make one senior feel less alone.
AUTUMN 2026 | 31