‘Freedom’: High River retirees reconnect with community through bike rides

High River has a program called Cycling Without Age that takes seniors and people with mobility challenges on bike rides—but not on regular two-wheelers.

An Alberta retirement centre is offering residents the chance to feel the wind in their hair on an assisted bike ride.

Seasons High River Retirement Community began participating in the Cycling Without Age program back in 2017.

Originally founded in Denmark in 2012, the program gives community members who might not otherwise have access to biking a chance to experience it.

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In High River, seniors at Seasons are paired with volunteer “pilots” who pedal trishaw e-bikes from behind while they sit up front and enjoy the ride.

Officials say residents at the retirement centre scramble to get their name on the list for a ride along town trails, which can last anywhere from half an hour to an hour.

Caitland Asmundson from the Town of High River says the goal is to help participants reconnect with the community.

“That’s the beauty of having the passengers be up front,” she said. “When they’re meeting people on the trails, they’re connecting with their community members, they’re saying ‘hello,’ they’re making connections.”

Chrystal Maud, Season’s “fun manager,” says the program is help making High River more inclusive.

“Everybody loves it, even residents that are able to walk around in the community, they want to ride the bike,” she said. “They just think it’s so awesome, and they always go around the nature paths in High River, so it’s wonderful for everybody -- it’s very special.”

Volunteer pilot Claude Laflamme says he enjoys taking people for rides.

“We give an opportunity for people who lack the mobility to [ride] again, and we just take them out and we hear their stories, and we talk to them. It’s wonderful,” he said. “High River is wonderful for cycling; it’s flat and it’s a small town, there’s a wonderful downtown, and we can stop for a coffee, stop for ice cream. We have a wonderful time.”

Seasons resident Dolores Rayburn says she enjoys getting out for a spin.

“I can’t walk too well anymore, and I have to use a walker, so I have to have somebody help me,” she said. “We need the fresh air, and being able to get around in the outside -- it’s great because you’re inside all the time.”

Edie Simanton uses a wheelchair to get around, but says sitting on the trishaw is exhilarating.

“It’s nice to be able to go and do something that I wouldn’t be able to do otherwise,” she said. “What does it feel like? Freedom, yeah, like you’re doing it yourself.”