Bringing joy, connection and adventure to older people in the community
On 19th May, a team of K2 pilots from K2’s Sweden office spent the day supporting Cykling utan ålder (Cycling Without Age), and their mission to give older people in the local community the opportunity to get out and see the world again.
Over the course of the day, the pilots collected a total of 8 passengers from two local care homes, taking them out for a spin on the charity’s specially designed trishaws. A solution developed by Cycling Without Age Founder, Ole Kassow, these trishaws enable older people, and those with limited mobility, to enjoy the benefits of bike rides without any of the physical exertion.
After pick-up, the K2 pilots took their passengers on a pleasant outing around Malmö and the surrounding area, following a scenic route that took them by the quarry and through a lush forest, before stopping at the seaside to enjoy views of Öresund and Denmark across the bay.
When stopped, as well as appreciating the views, they shared some lovely conversations over refreshments before delivering the passengers safely back to their homes.
In addition to empowering older members of the community to get out and about, Cycling Without Age provides opportunities for intergenerational relationships to develop between pilots and passengers, and for pilots to hear the personal stories from the rich lives lived by these older adults.
In 2015, the United Nations introduced 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to tackle global challenges like inequality, climate change, and wellbeing. The work of Cycling Without Age aligns closely with the following three SDGs:
Good Health & Wellbeing – promoting good mental health and wellbeing by reducing loneliness and fostering joy.
Reduced Inequalities – creating inclusive communities by ensuring people of all ages and abilities can participate in the activities.
Sustainable Cities and Communities – providing safe, accessible, and sustainable transport for older people and those with limited mobility.
A real feel-good activity, this was K2 Sweden’s third time volunteering for Cycling Without Age, and they plan to support this initiative every year.
