A four-step guide to starting your chapter
From ordering your trishaw to recruiting pilots to planning trailside donut stops — here's everything you need to bring the magic to your community.
From idea to first ride
What is a chapter?
The global Cycling Without Age movement has chapters in 39 countries. At its core, each chapter is made up of volunteer pilots who provide trishaw rides to seniors in their city or town. Communities have structured their chapters differently based on local needs, largely fitting one of three shapes:
Individual chapter
Run by a single volunteer pilot with their own trishaw.
Rides happen as personal schedule allows — flexible, low-overhead, and a great way to start.
Community chapter
Run as a non-profit or part of a bicycle coalition.
Matches pilots with ride opportunities across the community. Usually a handful of trishaws and many pilots.
Provider chapter
Run by a local care provider or senior living community.
Rides are integrated into existing programs — activities staff, care coordinators, family visitation.
You can bring the rides and smiles to your community in whatever shape fits. Find another chapter in your region and reach out — join one of their scheduled rides, participate in a pilot training. It's the fastest way to see Cycling Without Age in practice.
Questions we hear a lot
Is it safe?
Yes. Rides rarely go faster than 5–6 mph. There is a rigorous pilot training formula developed by chapters around the world, and most chapters stick to multi-use paths. Many experts would say that the loneliness and isolation experienced by older adults trapped inside far outweigh the very minor risks of going for a trishaw ride.
What about insurance?
Silent Sports offers a policy that has met the needs of most chapters in the United States. This will give you peace of mind and address the insurance concerns of partner organizations and senior communities you want to give rides with.
Do I need to be a strong cyclist?
No. While three wheels takes a bit more practice to master than two, the trishaws have a powerful electric assist. You don't need to be a hardcore cyclist to pedal one. Chapters have successfully trained pilots ranging from age 15 to 90.
How much does a trishaw cost?
A trishaw typically costs about $15,000, including shipping from Denmark. While this isn't cheap, it is certainly cheaper than the facility van. If local fundraising doesn't allow you to hit this target, consider reaching out to senior living communities in your region to see if they might be interested in purchasing the trishaw outright.
Ready? Let's create a chapter.
Start with a plan and a budget. We'll walk you through every decision, and there's no cost to becoming a CWA affiliate.