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Mount Residents Enjoy a Bicycle Built for Two
Enjoying the city view — this team takes off around the hills of The Mount campus.
Grant Funding through LeadingAge WA Ignites the Age-Old Delight of Riding a Bike
John F. Kennedy said, “Nothing compares to the simple pleasure of riding a bike.” Of course, that still holds true today and now at The Mount we can add, “no matter one’s age.” Thanks to grant funding facilitated by LeadingAge of Washington, The Mount received 3 specialized electric bikes called TriShaws and one wheelchair accessible unit through a program called Cycling without Age that began in Denmark in 2012. Stemming from one of the highest per capita bicycling countries in the world, the team at Cycling Without Age knew that a lifelong love of cycling shouldn’t be deterred by one’s physical abilities. Determined to help participants once again feel, “the wind in their hair” — the now global program is also in place at The Mount.
The success of the program relies on a wonderful collaboration between The Mount’s recreational coordinators and volunteers. Participants are seated at the front of the specialized bikes, which accentuates the feeling as if steering and riding themselves. “It feels just like I was riding again,” exclaimed resident Pattie Kottas as she recalled the joy she felt as a young girl — riding, feeling independent Continued on page 2
Mount Residents Pattie and Gene Kottas enjoy a bicycle built for two with help from Activity Coordinator Eileen McCloskey and the wonderful power boost of the electric bike.