Rolling Along on a Bicycle Built for Two
Can you imagine that beautiful feeling of cruising the city parks on a bicycle built for two (or three)? The Residents at both Gemstone Care Centre in Kamloops and Creekstone Care Centre in North Vancouver would be happy to tell you all about it. Both homes these days are enjoying Tandem Bike programs that bring joy along with the wind in your hair while letting someone else do the peddling.
In Kamloops, the Gemstone Residents love travelling to MacAurthur Island to enjoy a loop around the park while watching the playful marmots, the busy butterflies and the rumbles of a soccer or baseball game. “That was the best tour of Kamloops I’ve ever had!”, said Rudy, a Resident at Gemstone. Betty, another Resident, was recently interviewed by CBC radio about the program and shared how much it means to her and her well being. She attributes the joy of riding as helping to bring her “out of a funk”.
Gemstone thanks all the volunteers who help with the rides as it’s how they are able to offer this program. The volunteers love to engage conversations and stories with the Residents. One volunteer, Tom, says that, “My favourite part is seeing how happy they are enjoying the scenery and community again.”
Gemstone Care Centre purchased their Tandem Bike in 2020 and with Covid, but had to wait until the summer of 2021 to take advantage of the fun. This specially-crafted bike has a wheelchair in front with a single tandem bicycle in the back. The wheelchair portion of the bike can be removed and brought right to the Resident who may need assistance to transfer into the seat. This design supports anyone to go on a scenic tour.
Creekstone Care Centre, a sister home to Gemstone, works in partnership with Cycling Without Age – North Shore Chapter to take Residents out for bike ride in that community. Recreation staff have been trained as pilots to operate the trishaw, which can hold up to 2 passengers, and travel along the great multi-use trails and low traffic roads in the area. The program supports Residents to get out and enjoy fresh air and scenery from the front seat of a trishaw.
It’s really no surprise that Residents are keen to go for a ride! One passenger said, “I so love it! It looks like a parade and I am waving to people and they wave back to me.” Another said, “I love this so much! You just made my day.” Family members have also embraced the program and share glad they are for Creekstone to offer this to Residents. Family share support by saying, “What fun! You guys are the best!”
As we move out of the COVID pandemic, the Tandem and Trishaw bike programs have been a great way for us to create joy in life and aging. If you are interested in being a driver and sharing in the joy, please contact the home near you.