Barb Lotze has a career of experience in the healthcare sector, and built this Community Chapter into one of the largest in the country. CWA Littleton calls their trishaw outings “experiences” not “rides,” making each a unique adventure for the older adult riding partner. The chapter is run by an advisory committee that manages a network of volunteers: from pilots to grant writers to trishaw decorators.
16 Trishaw
60 Core Pilot
3,800 Rides per year
$100,000 Annual Budget
Barb volunteered as a pilot with the first CWA chapter in Colorado.
She bootstrapped a grassroots fundraising campaign to buy the first trishaw for Littleton.
During Covid, the demand for rides exploded.
Barb build out a core advisory council.
They built up from 200 rides in 2020 to 3,800 in 2024.
Commissioned report quantifying the medicare and taxpayer dollars the program saves.
They are their own 501c3
Funded by grants, donations, and a tip-your-pilot program for seniors with the means
Offer rides through senior living facilities, but also directly to independent seniors
Trishaws maintained by the chapter co-founder, who used to own a bike shop
Store their trishaws in several locations to allow the broadest program reach
Have a van that can bring riding partners to the trishaws, or trishaws to the riding partners
Attracted pilots primarily through spreading the word to those who they see on the trail.
They currently have 90 trained pilots, with a core group of 60 who lead most of the rides.
Pilot either brings the trishaw to their riding partner, or brings the riding partner to one of the hubs where a trishaw is stored.
Pilots then take their riding partners out on Littleton’s beautiful network of multi-use paths.
They are encouraged to weave special moments into the rides: from examining geological features and trailside fossils to birding with local Audubon experts.
Partnered with the local botanical garden to allow trishaws onto the grounds, giving many who had lost the ability to visit the chance to experience the space.
Frequently participate in Alzheimers and Parkinsons runs and events, allowing those with those conditions to participate on trishaws.
Serve as the bike valet for a local senior prom
Offer up surprise birthday party celebrations to families, managed by a dedicated birthday party coordinator and group of 12 volunteers.
Volunteers take direct bookings from seniors for individual rides, then pair a pilot with the ride opportunity.
More resource-intensive, but allows them to reach those seniors who might not live in a community or home that has the resources to organize activities like this.
