how a group of vancouver volunteers is helping older adults reconnect with the outdoors—one ride at a time
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undated photo of vancouver cycling without age society volunteer (unnamed) with kitsilano's helen mazurek, 84, her husband jerzy and dog wee angus sitting in a trishaw.
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for some of vancouver’s older adults, the most meaningful moments of their week happen at just 10 kilometres an hour.
that’s the average speed of a trishaw, a three-wheeled electric-assisted bike piloted by volunteers with the vancouver cycling without age society.
from may through october, the volunteers take older adults on free or donation-based rides along scenic routes, such as in stanley park, pacific spirit park, jericho beach or the seawall.
geared to those who live in long-term care homes or who face social isolation, the program helps seniors reconnect with the outdoors and feel “the wind in their hair again.”
before last year, kitsilano resident helen mazurek, 84, had few reasons to venture outside.
“i got a dog, wee angus, but even walking him means relying on handydart,” she said, referring to the transit service for people with mobility challenges.
mazurek’s husband, jerzy, is in hospital, so she has found new purpose in being able to enjoy the outdoors from the leather seat of a trishaw, energized by the fresh air and the calming sight of tree canopies overhead.
last week, she took her seventh free ride with the non-profit, joined by her black-and-white shih tzu mix.
“wee angus sat beside me until we passed by the sight of something he really liked, then he’d shuffle to the other side,” mazurek chuckled.
“i’m too old to ride a bike myself, so these rides have made me feel invigorated and alive.”
undated photo of vancouver cycling without age society volunteer (unnamed) with kitsilano’s helen mazurek, 84, and her dog wee angus in a trishaw. photo by vancouver cycling without age society /handout
last year, the society completed 500 rides, serving more than 1,000 people and logging 3,500 kilometres. this year, they’re on track to triple that number.
the non-profit operates two main programs in the city: one partners with care homes and senior-serving organizations to offer scheduled weekly rides, while the other establishes community ride hubs in locations, like jericho beach, for seniors living independently.
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“about 95 per cent of seniors in b.c. live at home, many cared for by family members who are also working or raising children,” said jake winn, the society’s executive director. “on weekends, we set up in accessible spots, like jericho beach and pacific spirit park, to offer community rides by donation.”
according to winn, the rides are often meaningful milestones.
“some seniors dress in their sunday best. others bring along family members. one couple celebrated their 48th wedding anniversary on a ride—the care staff decorated the trishaw, and the gentleman wore what looked like his original wedding suit. as they rolled through town, people clapped and waved. it was like the whole city was part of their celebration.”
the society has six passenger rickshaws, not nearly enough to meet growing demand. the e-bikes are on the road seven days a week, averaging 15 kilometres a ride. like small electric vehicles, they require daily charging, regular maintenance, insurance and dedicated storage.
winn says each trishaw is operated by trained volunteers—many of them seniors—who receive instruction in communicating effectively with individuals living with dementia and other conditions.
“it’s about more than a ride,” said winn.
“it’s about dignity and countering the culture of ageism in north america by making sure older adults stay visible and connected in their communities, so they’re not just some distant thought in a care home.”
the society still hopes to expand, not just with more trishaws, but with new hubs across the city to ensure any senior, in care or at home, can access a ride when they want to be whisked away somewhere outdoors.
undated photo of vancouver cycling without age society volunteers (unnamed) with seniors. photo by vancouver cycling without age society /handout
the rides aren’t just scenic—they’re social, too.
“we always go in groups of three trishaws,” mazurek told postmedia news. “i used to be quiet during the rides, but now i end up chatting with the pilots all the way there and back.”
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once, while rolling through jericho, the senior said a little girl ran up to the cycle and shouted, “that’s what i want for my birthday!” mazurek recalled.
“we just laughed. we always do the queen’s wave as we go by.”
this article was originally published in the vancouver sun on june 17, 2025.
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