The Aging and Disability Resource Center (ADRC) of Villas County started this chapter to incorporate trishaw rides into the existing services that they provide to seniors in the region. A board of directors made up of individuals affiliated with a variety of local senior facilities has helped grow the program, which is run by ADRC staff.
6 Trishaw
16 Core Pilot
350 Rides per year
$5,000 Annual Budget
During Covid the ADRC had a surplus of federal funding, allowing them to buy a trishaw.
They saw CWA as a great way to expand their services across the community.
The Wisconsin Bike Federation helped train their first pilots through their state-wide efforts to promote Cycling Without Age.
Eventually bought 2 trishaws for each of the neighboring counties.
They see these rides as a core part senior care in their community, not a standalone program.
Receive funding from the state, supplemented by donations and grants.
Offer rides through many senior facilities, as well as non-profits that help get people outside and provide memory care services in the community.
Trishaws maintained by a board member who runs a bike shop.
Store their trishaws at a boat club, and have 2 trailers to transport them to ride locations.
Most of their pilots are volunteers from a local program that pairs retirees with seniors.
3 of their pilots are staff at one of the nursing homes they work with.
Pilot either goes to the boat house to pick up a trishaw and trailer.
They then drive the trishaw to the senior facility that has scheduled the ride.
After helping their riding partner on board, they offer them a blanket designed specially for the trishaw. Key for chilly fall rides.
The pilot then heads out on a rural backroad or local bike trail, getting the riding partner out into the beauty of the Wisconsin woods.
If the riding partner is in memory care, a caregiver frequently joins them on the trishaw.
Put together picnics at local multi-use trailheads, offering rides to anyone who comes.
Work with a local school district to offer rides to students with disabilities during gym class.
Bring trishaws to local libraries, offering free rides to anyone who visits that day.
Have a calendar of regular riding days at different facilities across the three counties.
ADRC staff send out an email to a pilot listserv outlining these opportunities, and follow up a week before to confirm pilot availability.
