Jennifer Reid became deeply aware of the trials of living with Alzheimer’s as she offered care during her mother’s later years. A longtime resident in False Creek South, and inspired by the beauty along the seawall, Jen imagined how much her Mom and other seniors living in isolation might benefit from recreational access to the outdoors. She connected with a burgeoning international organization, Cycling Without Age, started in Denmark in 2012 to offer free bike rides to seniors in specially designed “trishaws,” piloted by trained volunteers. With two local partners, Jennifer Chen and Elliot Smart, she established a Vancouver chapter, and set to work with the idea of engaging students she works with at Langara College.
Her due diligence in confirming that the electric-assist three-wheelers could access the seawall led to contacts that provided funding for the first trishaw, which finally arrived in May and now serves seniors in False Creek, the West End and other parts of the city. Locally, she has made a special connection with the Broadway Lodge Care Home, regularly taking residents who face physical and mental challenges on recreational rides that offer both social connection and “wind in their hair.”
What difference do such rides make? Jen has a favourite story about Broadway Lodge resident Harold and his wife Maureen. Harold has mental and physical limitations that required a sling and mobile lift to move him outside and onto the trishaw. As Jen piloted the couple along the seawall at a leisurely pace, she sought to engage with Harold and casually asked, “How did you two meet?” Harold lit up with a story about a romantic evening on the White Rock pier a long time ago, and by the time they got to Alder Bay he was relaxed and enjoying the activities of summer in the Creek. Those who care for Alzheimer’s patients come to treasure such moments of lucidity, even knowing that they will not last. But care-givers at Broadway Lodge reported that for a time Harold had a much-improved mood and appetite, and Maureen agrees he became more aware and happy.
Of course there are benefits too for the volunteer pilots, for other family members, and for the young people who have supported the initiative in various ways: an increase of understanding and empathy for the elderly, appreciation of inclusive community, and the satisfactions of connection and contribution to the lives of those in need. With a second bike now on order, and they hope more to come, Jen and her partners are looking forward to an active season beginning next April, trying to find good storage for the bikes, searching for just the right sort of volunteer pilots, always interested in donations, planning the logistics of growth, and imagining new possibilities, including perhaps a tea at the Convivial Café along with the rides. As part of a growing movement now represented in 42 countries, Jen has hopes that False Creek South will become a hub for the Vancouver activities of Cycling Without Age. Their website tells more. https://cyclingwithoutage.ca/vancouver/