A program involving wheels has been left in good hands.

And good legs.

Erin Burgess has taken over as coordinator of the Cycling Without Age program in Greater Vernon, started six years ago by the husband-wife duo of Lauren Lypchuk and Ward Strong, who have moved to Vancouver Island.

Cycling Without Age is a 100 per cent volunteer, non-profit program that takes seniors and less-abled adults on Trishaw (three-wheeled bikes with a bench seat) rides from May to October.

"We listen to their stories, individual histories, and witness their joy as they experience the outdoors with wind in their hair," said Burgess, one of the program's 'pilots' (the person pedalling and guiding the Trishaw).

"I'm excited to be involved in this community program and to guide it into the future with support from Lauren and Ward. They have left us with a solid and viable program. I'm also grateful for the continued partnership with the Schubert Centre and the dozen CWA volunteers that will assist me in various ways, like scheduling, bike maintenance, and web design."

Lypchuk and Strong started the program in 2019, and since the inaugural ride through to October 2024, Cycling Without Age has taken 1,952 seniors for free rides covering almost 12,000 kilometres on the program's trio of Trishaw bicycles.

The program is aimed at seniors and less-abled citizens who are sometimes confined to their homes, or merely get out for "necessary outings like medical and hair appointments, and banking."

The rides run seven days a week.

"We take our passengers on leisurely bike rides, sometimes on the Okanagan Rail Trail, or throughout Downtown Vernon, or even past our fascinating murals," said Burgess. "Our rides are strictly for enjoying the beauty of fresh air, birds singing, or maybe even an ice cream stop. We give people an opportunity to visit places that may be inaccessible to them."

There are three ways to sign up for a ride:

1. If a person lives at a senior's residence, contact the residence's activity director;

2. Private citizens can sign up at the CWA volunteer desk at the Schubert Centre Tuesdays and Thursdays from 12 to 1 p.m. starting mid-May;

3. Contact CWA by email,  cyclingwithoutage.vernon.bc@gmail.com.

There's no question in Burgess' mind that the program makes a huge difference in the lives of its passengers who share the rides, on the volunteers, as well as on the curious onlookers.

"We stop to chat, we stop to pat a dog and our passengers wave like royalty enjoying the smiles and cheers they receive along the way," she said. "Sometimes, just a simple one-on-one time with a friend or family member riding together, enjoying our natural surroundings, brings contentment and joy.

"For up to a two-hour ride, the passenger is free of constraints. They participate in choosing what to see and where to venture. You can see them opening up with smiles and stories, improving their confidence and engagement in life."

The program is looking for volunteers as pilots, bike mechanics, schedulers, website management (Cycling Without Age will soon launch a new website), and photographers.

Volunteer pre-requisites include reasonable fitness, bike sense, RCMP clearance, cell phone, application and yearly waiver.

The time commitment for the season includes an introduction meeting (two hours), and approximately six hours of Trishaw training, which is provided.

The volunteer hours are very flexible. Rides go seven days a week from 9:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m., and requires a two-to-three-hour time block for the pilot.

Contact Burgess at the email address above for information regarding volunteering, donations, and scheduling rides.