This summer I was able to experience joy, friendship, and a renewed sense of connection during a trishaw ride organized by The Vancouver Cycling Without Age Society (VCWAS).
My wife Habiba and I feel privileged to live in Wesbrook Place, where modern urban design, natural surroundings, and everyday convenience come together in a warm, walkable setting.
More than a place of convenience, this thoughtfully planned community offers a sense of belonging, where people of different ages and backgrounds can meet, walk, volunteer, exchange greetings, and share in everyday community life.
We both turned 76 this year, but we remain active and eager to enjoy new experiences that keep us connected to our community and to each other.
Habiba signed us up for a VCWAS seniors’ trishaw ride simply for fun and we took the ride in late July. It was a sunny, warm day—perfect for such an outing—with bright summer light on the sidewalks, a soft breeze moving through the trees, and the pleasant sounds of people coming and going around Wesbrook Community Centre.
From the moment we arrived, we felt the care and enthusiasm of the society’s volunteers, many of whom are seniors themselves. Their orange safety vests, cheerful greetings, and calm voices immediately made the occasion feel welcoming. They helped us settle in, adjusted our seats, made sure we were buckled up safely, and treated the ride not as a service being delivered, but as a shared journey. Their patience, smiles, and friendly conversation created an atmosphere of trust even before the ride began.
As the electric-powered trishaw moved slowly through Wesbrook Village, familiar streets seemed to take on a new beauty. The open seat at the front gave us a wonderful view, and the gentle movement of the trishaw made us feel connected to the neighbourhood in a fresh and joyful way.
We passed our apartment block and saw neighbours walking nearby. Many people on the street waved at us, and we happily waved and called hello in return. Because the ride was unhurried, we had time to notice what is often missed when travelling by car or walking with a purpose. The most memorable part was moving from the village toward the green surroundings of Pacific Spirit Regional Park, only a couple of blocks from the community centre. The change was gradual but beautiful: the sounds of the community softened, the trees drew closer, and the air felt cooler, fresher, and scented with cedar.
We followed several routes through the park and gently travelled close to 6 kilometres of trails in about one hour. Pacific Spirit Regional Park offers over 55 kilometres of walking, hiking, biking, and multi-use paths, but for us the ride was never really about the route or the distance. What mattered most was the wonderful feeling of being inside the forest—seeing people walking, cycling, running with their dogs, or simply enjoying a quiet stroll.
The whole experience felt generous, peaceful, and unforgettable. For us, the ride became a happy summer memory and a meaningful example of how a community can care for its older members with respect and warmth.
During the ride, conversation came naturally. We talked with our volunteer trishaw pilot Steve, waved to people along the way, and enjoyed the simple happiness of being seen and included. The story behind these rides is as heartwarming as the rides themselves.
The Cycling Without Age movement was started in 2012 by a Danish social entrepreneur named Ole Kassow who had a generous idea: everyone, at every age, deserves to feel the fresh air, enjoy the outdoors, and share in community life. The Vancouver chapter of Cycling Without Age was founded in 2018 and the international movement arrived in our local community this summer, offering rides to seniors, including those living in care homes or facing barriers to getting outside.
When our trishaw returned to Wesbrook Village, the ride no longer felt like a simple outing. It had become a small but powerful reminder of what community can do: welcome seniors back into public life, turn a quiet morning into a shared journey, and transform movement into memory.
MOHAMMAD ZAMAN, A SEMI-RETIRED ANTHROPOLOGIST, LIVES IN WESBROOK PLACE WITH HIS WIFE. HIS WRITINGS OFTEN EXPLORE MIGRATION, AGING, MEMORY, AND EVERYDAY COMMUNITY LIFE.