Advocacy

Mystic Cycling Without Age

Bike Stonington has established a chapter of Cycling Without Age for Southeast Connecticut shoreline communities. This program is part of a global movement striving to improve mental health and change the system of social isolation and loneliness so prevalent in our older and less mobile population. The goals include creating social interaction and intergenerational connections by providing active outdoor experiences for people of all ages and abilities on bikes.

Jennifer Lacker and Alison Zack Darrell launched the initiative in the summer of 2021, under the Bike Stonington banner. After several successful demonstrations with our residents, we launched a fundraising campaign and purchased a Van Raam Chat electric Trishaw rom BikeOn, in Cranston, Rhode Island assisted with a full matching grant from Sustainable CT.

Operated entirely with volunteers, the program offers bike riding outings to the older residents and those challenged with disabilities in specialized tricycles with electric assist and a relaxing, comfortable front seat. Local volunteers called “pilots” or drivers, will be trained and organized to ride up to two passengers per scheduled outing. MACWA will visit care homes and senior centers around the Mystic, Stonington and Groton community and offer residents an opportunity to be a passenger on the trishaw – to experience freedom and independence and create memories. Contact us for more information 860- 460-8901 or message us on our Facebook page.