Bringing wellness + joy to the elderly and those less mobile One Bike Ride at a Time!

UR Community Cares has partnered with the Manchester Recreation Department to operate their Cycling Without Age Manchester program out of the town’s bike building in Charter Oak Park for the community to enjoy.  Operated with volunteers, the program offers e-bike outings to older and disabled adults in a relaxing, comfortable front seat. Local volunteers called ‘pilots’ or drivers, are trained and organized to ride up to two passengers per scheduled outing which lasts approximately 20 min in Charter Oak Park and East Coast Greenway. Sign up at www.urcommunitycares.org to be a volunteer.

This is a program that 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. They will visit nursing homes, and senior living establishments  offering residents an opportunity to be a passenger on the rickshaw – to experience freedom and independence they ordinarily would not be able to have. They will also offer rides to veterans in the Memorial Day Parade in Manchester this year.

To make this possible, they have received grants from AARP CT and Greater Together Community Fund Manchester, private donations. They believe the community will enjoy the addition of this program in the park. If you would like to donate your time to help coordinate the program or would like a ride, please call 860-430-4557.

If you would like to donate to this program please send a check to: UR Community Cares, 5 Jamie Lane, Unit C, Manchester, CT 06042 or donate on their website www.urcommunitycares.org.  Every dollar donated will go toward expanding this program, they are striving to make the community more inclusive, healthier, and sustainable. Your gift will be an element of that change! Please share with your friends and social network who may want to be a part of the program.