Penticton's Oumwattie Ramkaran spent last Saturday morning at Rotary Park. She went there to support the Walk to End Abuse. Though she has mobility issues, she said she's been abused herself and wanted to "support everybody and spread the news that abuse is still happening, even in 2019. "
And then she spotted it. It looked like a backward tricycle, but with a huge seat, spacious enough for two, up front. Nearby was a sign that read, "Free Trishaw rides for seniors."
"I walked by these guys and I've always wanted to try it and now I get to try it," she laughed as she climbed aboard. A few minutes later Ramkaran was being whisked along the waterfront and through downtown Penticton. She smiled the entire way.
And this coming Saturday from noon to 4 p.m., any senior that comes to Rotary Park can experience the same thing. It's part of Penticton's Seniors Week, and as this reporter can vouch, it's a blast just sitting there, watching the world whip by while someone else, sitting behind you, does all the work.
Then at the end of Seniors Week, the trishaw (tricycle/rickshaw) station at Rotary Park will disappear. But that doesn't mean an end to free senior's rides. Just ask Neil Pritchard, the hard-working fellow peddling Ramkaran around the northern edge of the city last Saturday. He's the person behind "Cycling Without Age Penticton."
"I started Cycling Without Age Penticton in January last year. It's an organization I founded, part of an international organization I didn't even know existed until I saw a video of someone in Scotland doing exactly this."
"So I tried to find out how I could find a bike like this, and in that search learned that there was this organization called Cycling Without Age, based in Copenhagen. Their sole purpose is to provide free fun rides for seniors. That's it. That's all they do."
Pritchard wanted to get involved, so he bought a bike and says his service has since been "growing all around me."
"I created a three-year plan at which time we'd have four of these bikes and 20 volunteers and will be doing 800 passenger rides a month for Penticton seniors."
And they don't do it by setting up shop at Rotary Park. Instead, they deal primarily with care homes. Pritchard says they're already servicing seven and are adding more at the rate of one per week. And they've now added a second trishaw too.
And Cycling Without Age Penticton doesn't do it alone either. They're partnered with OneSky Community Resources.
"All of my volunteers have to become a OneSky volunteer as well, and then they're covered by their insurance. And any fundraising we do we'll get a tax receipt."
Pritchard, who personally completed three cycling fondos last year and plans to take part in Penticton's Granfondo this year - all at the age of 60 - says the feedback from seniors is "phenomenal."
"It can't be exaggerated. And the long term benefit - after they get off the bike and are hoping for another ride next week - is that they're re-engaging with their community. They're participating and starting conversations and looking you in the eye. And it's all because the design of this bike puts them up front where the action is. It's remarkable to see how it lifts their spirit."
Currently, Cycling Without Age Penticton is looking for volunteers - preferably volunteers who are fit enough to regularly propel not only themselves but one and perhaps a couple of passengers as well. For more information, contact Neil Pritchard at [email protected]
And if you are a senior or if you know of a senior who'd like to experience a pedal-powered tour of north Penticton, Rotary Park is the place to be this Saturday afternoon. In case of rain, Pritchard says they may relocate to Gyro Park across the street.
