Residents at Golden Manor now have a new way to get outside and explore the community. The Cycling Without Age program has launched at the Timmins long-term care home with a new accessible trishaw bike. The three-wheeled bicycle allows residents to take rides through the community with trained staff and volunteer pilots. Amy Beaven, Golden Manor’s quality, risk and resident experience coordinator, said the program gives residents a chance to stay connected. “It’s a great opportunity for our residents to get outside, enjoy some fresh air, see the community, be part of the community,” said Beaven. The bike was purchased with funds donated by EllisDon Construction following a fundraising golf tournament. Residents who are interested in taking a ride -- or whose families believe they would enjoy the experience -- will first go through an assessment before being scheduled. For those who have already taken the bike out, the experience has been memorable. Didn’t want the ride to end “Everybody was waving at you and I was waving back,” said Jacqueline Morin. “Even the people in the car were stopping and waving.” Another resident said she enjoyed the ride so much, she didn’t want it to end. “I loved it. I went yesterday. And I didn’t want to get off when we came back,” said Suzanne Corbeil. The program is operated by trained Golden Manor staff and volunteer pilots, who receive specialized training and practice on the bike before taking residents out. The trishaw is also designed to accommodate passengers with different mobility needs. “It’s definitely a very unique experience,” said Beaven. “But it’s also one of only, I believe, two of this model of bike in Canada that has the adaptive ability for both a wheelchair and a non-wheelchair resident.” Rides will be scheduled based on weather conditions and the availability of trained volunteer pilots.
