By Kezia Royer-Burkett, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
Following a successful 2024 cycling season, the Cycling Without Age (CWA) program in Hamilton and Burlington is celebrating a remarkable milestone: 879 rides provided to 1,503 seniors and community members. As they begin a new season, the team reflects on what those numbers truly represent: connection, dignity, and moments of joy for people who otherwise would not have access to a bike ride.
The Hamilton-Burlington chapter of CWA was founded in 2018 by recently retired Nancy Gray and Jill Axisa, cycling enthusiasts who first learned of the global program while deciding how to spend their newfound time. Since then, the local chapter has grown into a heart-centred community offering accessible, outdoor experiences to seniors and individuals with physical limitations. Though Axisa has since passed away, her legacy lives on in every trishaw ride that glides through Burlington’s waterfront or along Hamilton’s scenic Princess Point.
“The joy is visible right away,” Gray shared. “We had a gentleman whose wife told us he was non-verbal. But after his ride, as he got off the trishaw, he simply said ‘thank you.’ We were all stunned. His wife looked like she might cry. That moment stayed with me.”
Cycling Without Age provides free rides on trishaws — specially adapted, wheelchair-accessible bikes piloted by trained volunteers. Some trishaws can even accommodate people who cannot transfer from a wheelchair. These bikes, built in Holland and assembled locally by Hamilton Trike, are designed with safety and inclusion in mind.
The program is about more than just motion: it’s about memories. Participants often request to ride past their old neighbourhoods or visit places tied to their personal history. Gray recalled one senior who asked to go by her former home, now occupied by her son. They stopped, knocked on the door, and shared a heartfelt moment that neither the rider nor the volunteer would forget.
Volunteers also speak of the emotional rewards. “Funniest volunteer gig I’ve ever done,” one pilot said. Others describe it as deeply satisfying. Each ride includes a pilot and a buddy cyclist for added safety, but what stays with passengers most is the human connection. Friendships are formed, familiar faces are eagerly anticipated, and meaningful stories are exchanged along the way.
“Your commitment has allowed them to participate in the Cycling Without Age program, which provides an opportunity for residents with wheelchairs and physical limitations to enjoy outdoor bike rides,” wrote Lissette Gonzalez, Manager of Recreation and Volunteers at St. Peter’s Residence at Chedoke, in a letter of appreciation to the CWA team.
Accessibility and inclusion are central to the mission. Gray and the team have actively reached out to diverse organizations, including Lawson Ministries, the Afro Caribbean Association, and 2SLGBTQ+ groups, ensuring rides are available to all members of the community. Rides are offered at both dedicated sites and community events, making the experience widely available.
The impact of the program goes far beyond the ride itself. Research from European chapters of CWA shows that seniors who participate tend to experience a slower pace of cognitive and physical decline. Locally, participants light up with excitement, often remembering their ride days in advance. The natural beauty along Burlington Beach or Spencer Smith Park enhances the experience, engaging the senses in a way no indoor activity can match.
For this year’s cycling season, the Hamilton and Burlington chapter is planning partnerships with more community groups and expanding its presence at local events. In Burlington, the team has proposed participating in the Seniors’ Day at City Hall this October and hopes to mirror successful events like Hamilton’s Open Streets or Dundas’s Cactus Parade.
Training for volunteers begins with an online session and is followed by hands-on instruction indoors and outdoors. Led by a CanBike-certified head trainer, the process ensures that volunteers not only understand the mechanics but are prepared to form meaningful, compassionate connections with riders. A comprehensive manual supports the training.
Cycling Without Age is a community of people working together to restore simple joys to those often left out of active living. Whether it’s a quiet “thank you” from someone long thought unable to speak or a nostalgic detour to a childhood home, the moments made on three wheels stick with everyone involved long after the ride has ended.
And for those looking for a little adventure, a little connection, and a lot of heart, Cycling Without Age is rolling through town again this year, offering community rides to groups and individuals who are unable to ride independently and ready to ride.
