Ole Kassow, founder of Cycling Without Age, will arrive at PioneerCare Center in Fergus Falls on Tuesday, February 4, to visit with Fergus Falls area residents who want to know more about the innovative movement.
What is now a global volunteer movement with 2,050 chapters in 47 countries started with a chance meeting of two strangers on a street in Copenhagen.
While cycling, Kassow noticed an older man sitting on a bench enjoying the sun. Kassow discovered the 97-year-old man was accustomed to cycling every day, but no longer could ride on his own. Kassow decided to visit the man’s nursing home with a rented rickshaw and Cycling Without Age was born.
“Everyone has the right to wind in their hair,” says Kassow, summarizing his vision to help older adults access the outdoors in a way not otherwise available to them.
Kassow will be on hand at PioneerCare Center at 1:00 PM on Tuesday to share the story of the Cycling Without Age movement. Community members are encouraged to attend. Winter cyclists will be invited to join Kassow for a short ride from PioneerCare Center to Pioneer Pointe after the program, depending on weather and street conditions.
Pedal Fergus Falls and PioneerCare formed the sixth local volunteer chapter in Minnesota last year, with their first trishaw arriving just last November. A second cycle is on order and expected to arrive in time for prime cycling season this spring.
The group will seek prospective volunteers who enjoy cycling and are interested in sharing that experience with others, especially those with physical limitations that prevent them from enjoying it on their own. Organizers look forward to offering rides on a regular basis.
Funding for the Fergus Falls Cycling Without Age program was provided by the Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS), West Central Initiative, Blandin Foundation, Wal Mart Community Grants Program, PioneerCare Foundation, and individual donations.
