If you are planning to spend your time volunteering for a non-profit organisation, you may want to look at Cycling Without Age. Pernille, representative for Cycling Without Age in Singapore, shared with us how they reach out to the local community and involve the volunteers in an experience they will not forget.
 Ole Kassow, founder of Cycling Without Age |  Ole cycling with 3 elderlies |  Pernille and Annie |
Populations are growing older and societies across the world are looking for innovative ways to keep the elderly physically active and part of their local communities. It’s a big task, the demographical change combined with people being increasingly passive towards their involvement in society makes it harder.
How will society go back to getting people involved again?
One way is through Cycling Without Age. It started in Copenhagen thanks to Ole Kassow, who is a regular guy who loves to ride a bike. At one point he even moved further from the city to get a chance to ride his bike longer to work. On one of these occasions, he rode a trishaw to a nursing home on his way home and offered the residents a ride. One trip became many and it became a movement- Cycling Without Age. Today, municipalities across the world, from New Zealand to Canada have their own trishaws and offer rides to the elderly.
The movement enhances public health, sustainability, fights loneliness, builds stronger communities, promotes bonding, and creates social capital.
“Singapore is the first country in Asia to start Cycling Without Age and we are being welcomed with open arms. The pioneer generation has a very nostalgic and positive relationship with trishaws that were used here widely until the seventies. When we ride with elderly passengers in a trishaw, we give them the feeling of wind in their hair and bring back memories of a time long gone. We wish for them to feel like a part of society again and thereby renew their appetite for life itself. But it’s not only about the elderly people – it’s also about the volunteers. It is about active citizenship, driven by a desire to get involved and to make a real difference for someone. It’s about creating relationships between people."
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