GIGI Has Arrived!

Gigi is our new “trishaw”, a piloted bicycle, straight from Copenhagen. She is a gift to the community from generous community members Jana and Don Jagoe, and Carol and David Bazarsky. The Jagoes and the Bazarskys brought Gigi to Newport so people who no longer can ride their own bicycle can still enjoy the wind in their hair as they are pedaled around places they love by volunteer pilots.

Visit ‘Gigi’ at Edward King House, 35 King Street, Newport
Watch this page for announcements of how to sign up to take a ride, or to be a volunteer pilot.

The model of our trishaw is The Chat. It earned its name because it inspires conversation and camaraderie, and with that – reflection and reminiscence. The pilot is engaged with the passenger(s) and chatting comes easily. 

The Chat is part of the international movement “Cycling Without Age”, which was started in 2012 by Ole Kassow in Copenhagen, who wanted to help Danish elders get back on their bicycles, but he had to find a solution to their limited mobility. The answer was a trishaw and he started offering free bike rides to the local nursing home residents.

Now, 10 years later, there are 2200 CWA chapters in 50 countries around the world, helping people with a whole range of mobility challenges to enjoy the wind in their hair and sun in their faces that are the joys of bike riding. 

We’re busy training volunteer pilots and planning a schedule to take folks out on scenic rides. We’ll be working with recreation programs, nursing homes, rehab centers, and more to set up plans – so keep your eyes open for announcements!

This page will update as more information becomes available.

We hope to personally introduce you to Gigi soon!

Guiding Principles of Cycling Without Age

Generosity: The program is based on generosity and kindness. Piloted by volunteers, the experience starts with the obvious generous act of taking one or two less-abled people out on a bike ride. It’s a simple act that everyone can do.

Slowness: Slowness allows us to experience the environment, to be present in the moment. It also allows people we meet along the way to be curious and gain knowledge about the program when we take time to stop and talk.

Storytelling: Older adults in particular have many stories that can be forgotten if we don’t reach out and listen to them. On The Chat, we tell stories, listen to stories, and share them by word of mouth and on social media.

Relationships: We will create many new relationships: between generations, among contemporaries, between pilots and passengers. Relationships build trust, happiness, and quality of life.

For all abilities: Life unfolds at all ages, young and old, and for all abilities, and can be thrilling, fun, sad, beautiful and meaningful. The Chat helps people be positive – fully aware of the opportunities that lie everywhere when interacting in their local community.