“Cycling Without Age” in Rockingham County

Written in collaboration with Jeanine Maddox at Sunnyside Retirement Community

In Norfolk this June, in a room packed with attendees of the LeadingAge Virginia annual conference, we met John Seigel-Boettner and his trishaw. John was the keynote speaker sharing his mission of Cycling Without Age with professionals who work in senior living across the state. And a trishaw? It’s more than a bicycle that accommodates passengers: it’s a vehicle for freedom, joy, adventure, stories, and memory.

When you Google “trishaw,” you get a decent description: a three-wheeled cycle rickshaw (human-powered or with electric assist) which carries one or two copilots (passengers) up front, with the pilot pedaling behind. The trishaw model was established in 2012 in Denmark by Ole Kassow. The son of a parent who used a wheelchair, Ole saw an opportunity to support people with limited mobility fight isolation. And so, the trishaw concept was born.

The guiding principles behind Cycling Without Age are generosity, slowness, storytelling, relationship, and agelessness. This passenger-focused experience engages community members, allows access to nature, and provides social connection. There are currently 3,050 chapters in existence across the globe, 4,900 trishaws, and 39,000 trained pilots.

John discovered Cycling Without Age after retiring from teaching. A lifelong cyclist, he found the grassroots, non-profit world of trishaw rides to be his next great adventure. John shares that every time he rides, it’s like spending more time with loved ones who are no longer with us. Everyone on each ride—pilots and copilots—wins.

Bridgewater Retirement Community is fortunate to have a trishaw that’s well-loved—it’s a regular part of daily life. While brainstorming for this article, it rolled past Ashlie’s window three times; the next day, it passed by twice—each ride carrying a new copilot (or two), a fresh smile, and a new story in motion.

The idea of a trishaw at BRC first took root in 2021 when household coordinators heard about the bike. They gathered a group for a trip to Williamsburg, Virginia, to see it in action, and were hooked! With enthusiastic support, the team partnered with leadership to secure funding and began training volunteer pilots. These bikes carry a hefty price tag, but the freedom, adventure, and memories they create are priceless.

Today, the trishaw is used regularly by residents in nursing, assisted living, and memory support. Some rides are simple loops around campus; others venture farther. Village resident Steve Parsons, a longtime cyclist and regular volunteer pilot, says he rides “to give residents an experience they wouldn’t otherwise have.” For him, it’s as joyful and meaningful as it is for them.

BRC Executive Assistant Pam Sherman often takes memory support residents for rides and says it’s the highlight of their day—and hers. “They love the fresh air and seeing people along the way. For me, it’s a chance to step away from my desk and do something meaningful, and it’s great exercise, too.” She enjoys the questions residents ask: What is that? How do I ride a bike? Where do I sit? After a quick explanation and seatbelt check, the questions fade, and smiles take over. Pam recalls special moments: a skeptical sister who ended up laughing the whole ride, a new resident adjusting who found peace in the sunshine, and a couple surprised by just how big BRC’s campus really is. “No ride is the same,” she says. “The conversations are always different, and I love getting to know our residents in a new way.”

Want to bring this experience to more people in the Valley? Learn how to start a chapter and get involved:
cyclingwithoutagethemovie.com/join.html.