The Bluewater Cycling Organization is showcasing one of its programs to get Sarnia's seniors out in local parks and trails by way of trishaw.
Each pedal-powered machine seats two passengers in the front with a "pilot" in the bicycle seat. The trishaws are also equipped with seatbelts.
The new home of Sarnia's Cycling Without Age and Youth Spokes programs was officially unveiled Friday afternoon. A shed located behind the Strangway Centre will house the trishaws and act as a centralized location for community programs.
Local dignitaries attended the ribbon-cutting ceremony. Afterward, City Councillors George Vandenberg and Adam Kilner, as well as MP Marilyn Gladu and MPP Bob Bailey took a ride on the trishaws.
Cycling without Age Founder Bryan Plug said the idea for this program started two years ago when he wanted to take his dad out for a bike ride. Through the pilot program, he was able to do that with one of the trishaws and his father said it was "spectacular."
"So that's what this program is. Cycling Without Age, engaging people from X to 94 in the community, getting them out and improving their quality of life," he said.
Plug said he along with five other committee members obtained three trishaws for the program, trained pilots, and provided them with bright-coloured uniforms.
Two of the trishaws were donated and one was purchased with federal grant funding.
"Our objective is to deliver more than a thousand rides per summer," Plug said. "Getting going this summer took us a little bit of time but the [City of Sarnia] is also providing land and a shed, and we'll probably get a couple hundred [rides] in this year."
Plug said so far the program has 35 certified pilots but he expects that number to double eventually.
Chris King has been part of the cycling community for 40 to 50 years and said he agreed to be a pilot because it's a great opportunity to build upon the sense of community and get seniors involved.
"Part of the draw for me in particular, is I'm involved with Community Living and there's some thought that they are going to get engaged with that organization as well. So it gives a chance for folks to get out there who may not be able to ride bikes anymore," King said.
In addition to Community Living, the Cycling Without Age committee plans to partner with the Strangway Centre, various Steeves & Rozema residences, and other local manors.
A schedule is currently being developed and online registration is expected to open soon on the Bluewater International Granfondo's website.
Plug said the plan is to schedule rides Monday through Friday, leaving weekends and holidays open for trained riders to take loved ones out for a trishaw ride.
Meanwhile, the Youth Spokes program helps those between the ages of 10 and 14 learn how to safely ride a bike and develop friendships. Program details can be found by clicking here.
