Smiles are our reward!
About Us
Cycling without Age is a global movement started in 2012 in Copenhagen. We aim to reach and improve the lives of the elderly and adults living with disabilities and break them free from social isolation. We take them for free rides to enjoy fresh air and conversation, and together, we create memories and smiles. Each CWA Chapter operates independently. If you are interested in volunteering check for a chapter in your community. BC and Canadian CWA chapters.
Cycling Without Age Worldwide Facts as of January 2025
- Invented in 2012 in Copenhagen
- Active chapters in 41 countries
- Starting up in 20 countries
- 3,500 chapter locations
- 6,000 trishaws
- 43,000 trained cycle pilots
- Over 5 million rides and over 1,500,000 people served
- Oldest pilot is 92 (Jørgen Hass, Denmark)
- Oldest passenger in 2023, Pauline Angleman, 110 from California (sharply followed by youngster Edith Green, 108, from Bournemouth)
The “The Right to Wind in Your Hair” was coined by a visually impaired passenger.
About CWA Vernon - Coldstream Chapter
Dr. Lauren Lypchuk (MD retired), the driving force behind the Vernon – Coldstream CWA program, was prompted to bring this program here by her lifelong work with the elderly and less able. She found this population group tends to be marginalized and isolated in society and knew this program would provide a welcome opportunity for those participating to experience life in a very positive and joyful way regardless of age or ability. Spearheading the program with assistance from her husband Dr. Ward Strong (PhD) and with very generous support from Schubert Centre, it started June 3, 2019 after successful fund raising in 2018/2019.
In the inaugural season, our volunteer pilots gave rides to 500 passengers while traveling 4000 km. The CWA Program rides were paused during 2020/2021 because of the Covid 19 pandemic, however, fund raising continued and allowed our group to purchase a second trishaw. The program restarted in June of 2022 and through to October 2023 (1.5 seasons) provided 828 rides while travelling over 3913 km. Thanks to a very generous donation a third trishaw was purchased and arrived in January 2024. Each of these electric assist bikes is valued at approximately $21,000.
Our program provides free rides to seniors from care homes and the general public and others who would benefit from these rides. 13 Seniors residences participate in our program and through the efforts of approximately 45 volunteer pilots, trainers, trishaw maintenance and administrative support, the 2025 season is well underway.
In the 3.5 summers of providing trishaw rides, 2019, 2022, 2023 and 2024. (as of December 31, 2024) the Vernon – Coldstream chapter has provided 1952 passengers rides while traveling 11,829 km. This was made possible by the tremendous community support of almost $83,083.00 in donations and grants and the countless hours from our volunteers.
Cycling Without Age Vernon-Coldstream welcomes Erin Burgess as Program Lead.
Erin has been a volunteer with the program since its inception in 2019. She’s a veteran pilot, trishaw trainer, has assisted founders Lauren and Ward for several years in meeting many of the people in the 13 senior residences the CWA program works with, and set up COVID protocols when the program re-started in 2022.
In Erin’s own words: “The CWA program inspires me as I continually witness the joyful difference the trishaw rides make in our mostly elderly passengers’ lives, giving those with mobility challenges a chance to get some fresh air and enjoy a leisurely bike ride. As the ride winds its way down the Okanagan Rail Trail or throughout the city of Vernon, or even past our fascinating city murals, the riders experience the scenic outdoors. This volunteer program makes a big impact on those who share our rides, on the volunteers and on onlookers improving our community life.”
Erin is eager and excited to guide our program into the future and is fortunate to have help from 12-13 volunteers assisting in other tasks (i.e. trishaw repair team, scheduling team, website development) some doubling in our 40 member group.
Though the founders, Lauren and Ward will continue to support CWA Vernon-Coldstream from the Island, we have a solid program operating with 40 – 45 volunteers. After another successful year in 2024, Cycling Without Age has taken 1,952 seniors for free rides covering 11,829 kilometers on the program’s trio of three-wheeled bicycle ‘Trishaws’. It has often been noted “The CWA pilots, the volunteers who drive the trishaw, that volunteering with CWA giving these free rides or assisting in other ways is even better than they expected”.
Vernon-Coldstream is fortunate to have Erin take on the leadership role of this program and wish her and the team the best for continued success.
CWA is always looking for volunteers, contact Erin at cyclingwithoutage.vernon.bc@gmail.com
