Wave to CWA’s riders!
Peggy Van Scotter writes, “As a cyclist pilot for Walworth County’s Cycling Without Age (CWA) program for several years, I was blessed to pilot for the first time the residents of Mulberry Glen & its Memory Care in Whitewater. Through this volunteerism, one learns about generosity & kindness, slowness, storytelling, relationships, and aging.
It starts with the generous act of taking one or two elderly or less-abled people out on a bicycle ride. It’s a simple act that everyone can do. Slowness allows you to sense the environment, be present in the moment and allows people you meet along the way to be curious and gain knowledge about CWA because you make time to stop, talk, or wave hello. Older adults have so many stories that will be forgotten if we don’t reach out and listen to them. So, stories are told and heard as we ride, and we also document these stories when we share with others or on social media. These rides are also about creating new relationships: between generations, among older adults, between pilots and passengers, caregivers and family members. Relationships build trust, happiness and quality of life. Life unfolds at all ages, young and old, and can be thrilling, fun, sad, beautiful and meaningful.
Cycling Without Age is about letting people age in a positive context – fully aware of the opportunities that lie ahead when interacting in our local community. One of the Glen riders is blind and was born in Amsterdam, Netherlands. She recalls riding a bicycle most of her life and tells me now how much she loves the wind in her face and the smell in the air. It is a gift to bring many seniors out into nature and to enjoy the community they belong to. If you are interested in volunteering one morning or afternoon a month to give these lovely, kind people more than a bicycle ride, please reach out to dfcwalworth@gmail.com
Cycling Without Age was invented in 2012 in Copenhagen, Denmark. There are active chapters in 39+ countries, 4900+ trishaws, 39,000+ trained cyclist pilots, with 3+ million rides and 650,000+ people served. Wisconsin has the most CWA programs in the United States (54) and Walworth County is one of the best!”
Above: Six photos of Mulberry Glen/Memory Care residents 2024
Our thanks to Peggy Van Scotter for sharing this inspiring story.
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