Trishaws ready: Cycling Without Age - ADK Coast | Sun Community News PLATTSBURGH | Pilot training, trishaw tuning, and a new route in 2026.

PLATTSBURGH | Cycling Without Age - Adirondack Coast is tuning up for summer biking excursions. The organization founded four years ago has trained bike pilots who pedal trishaws, which are e-assisted three-wheeled bikes with a carriage compartment to carry one or two people or a person in a wheelchair. Trishaw rides on local bike paths are designed to provide elder adults a chance to go outside and enjoy a slow pedal trip along scenic trails. Riders travel at no cost other than a smile. Rides are open to area elders, people with limited mobility or physical challenges. Cycling Without Age - Adirondack Coast was established by Rebecca Boire-West to join a worldwide movement founded in Denmark. Last cycling season, Plattsburgh pilots provided nearly 400 rides for elder adults and people unable to ride a bike and want to feel the wind in their hair. The non-profit organization is supported by sponsorship, donations and volunteer staff and pilots. There are four trishaws here, one specially equipped for a wheelchair. The Sun spoke with Boire-West to learn what is ahead this summer. Each trishaw season begins with preparation, getting the bikes ready and pilot training, she said. "We do training at the beginning of the season. Our volunteers are people who have expressed interest in becoming a pilot. It is a commitment, we are carrying precious cargo," Boire-West said. Training is set for mid-May and builds from a list of people who reached out over the past year. The opportunity builds from individual volunteer goals and how much time a pilot might have available in a week or in a month. "We start with practice rides so pilots can learn some of the main routes. We use the Terry Gordon Path and the Saranac River Trail. Our training is all day, a morning training with afternoon hands-on rides along the main routes." About 25 people have expressed interest this year, Boire-West said. "We will be sending out training invites. The first training is May 17. We're not lacking in numbers of people who have expressed interest." SPONSORS WELCOME Cycling Without Age is also gearing up for their second sponsorship drive, an outreach campaign for support from individual, company, corporate and other organization. "It's vital for our program. Yes, we apply for grants, which are specific to cover a tangible item," Boire-West said. "Behind-the-scenes costs include insurances, phone costs and bicycle maintenance not covered by grant funds. We are looking at sourcing a new booking system. We reach out to the community for help, not only for sponsorship, but also to let everyone know about our effort to bridge generations in a bike-friendly community." Business sponsors, families, individuals and groups can donate at any time in any amount. Cycling Without Age-Adirondack Coast has a donate option on their website, and can receive checks sent by mail. "We have received donations in memory of loved ones," Boire-West said. They welcome interest from people who support mobility, outdoor adventure and elder wellness. "Cycling Without Age combats senior loneliness and isolation that can lead to depression," Boire-West said. "The trishaw rides are a way to keep elder adults active and engaged in outdoor activity." This summer, Cycling Without Age - Adirondack Coast plans to bring their trishaws and riders to the Adirondack Rail Trail in Saranac Lake. The excursion proved very popular with the group last year. "With the addition of our latest trishaw, we plan to add rides in Rouses Point, to expand a little further in this area," Boire-West said. Several elder adult homes in Rouses Point have expressed interest, she said. "Trishaw rides are for any person here or in Rouses Point, really, anybody that comes to us to request a ride for their family member. We have them meet us at a safe location." The trishaws also have newly installed license plates, giving each a name. There are three: Bon Air, Wizzy and Ja Ja. Trishaw Ja Ja is named in memory of the late Jared West whose untimely death last September was a heartbreaking loss for Cycling Without Aging Adirondack Coast. "He was a board member and so deeply passionate about supporting individuals with special needs. He was a true champion of people who are not easily able to get out," Boire-West said. "His work shined at the Advocacy and Resource Center." The board learned that one of Jared's nicknames was "Ja Ja." "We thought naming a bike Ja Ja is a great tribute to his passion for helping others." The summer schedule for trishaw treks will continue with two trips per week in Plattsburgh. "Until we build more of the volunteer base, we are going to target twice a week this year. We're working with people that we know in Saranac Lake to make it more routine there," Boire-West said. Cycling Without Age-Adirondack Coast sponsorship outreach will begin in May. "We are inviting community to get involved, too, through donation," Boire-West said. "There is a lot that goes into each ride and we want to keep it free for the people we are able to serve." "We believe that everyone should age in a positive context," the non-profit says of their goals. "Cycling Without Age allows interaction with community through fresh eyes, smelling the flowers, experiencing the outdoors and feeling the wind in your hair." To find out more about trishaws or schedule a ride, visit the Cycling Without Age -- Adirondack Coast website: cyclingwithoutageadkcoast.com/ Donations are welcome any time, and can be made online: cyclingwithoutageadkcoast.com/donate Or by check and mailed to: Cycling Without Age ADK Coast, 518 Fiske Road, West Chazy, NY 12992

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Trishaws ready: Cycling Without Age - ADK Coast

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