Edith Cavell Care Centre’s new tandem duet bike to help improve quality of life for seniors

Jun 22, 2019 | 8:00 AM

LETHBRIDGE, AB – “Again!” exclaims Edith Cavell Care Centre resident Fritz Hengerer as a care worker pedals him into the building’s parking lot after a quick bike ride.

Hengerer is one of eight residents who can now enjoy regular rides on a new tandem duet bicycle the centre purchased recently. It looks kind of like a wheelchair on the front, but the regular front half of a city cruising bike on the back and costs about $17,000.

Sandy Flak, Recreation Therapist, says the project was made possible because of a $9,500 donation from the Royal Canadian Poppy Fund; General Stewart Branch and a $5,000 donation from the Royal Bank Foundation. The Centre’s Resident and Family Council also donated another $2,500.

“The bike is definitely a gift to us, and we’ve done so many fabulous things for our residents because of the community support.”

Flak explained that Alberta Health Services has had the bikes around for quite some time, however the Centre had not been able to afford one. She “got the wheels in motion,” so to speak – and just five months later, they were able to purchase the specialized bicycle.

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The front portion holds the resident on a wheelchair type of seat with a safety harness. It also has a foot and arm rests for the passenger. The staff member pedals on the back, with an electric assist motor, making it easier to push the person sitting in the front.

It can hold up to 275 lbs on both the front and back and will be used 3-4 times a week, depending on the weather.

Flak says having the new bike means helping residents who may not be mobile, who suffer from depression, or who just don’t have an opportunity to get to enjoy the outdoors.

“Most of the residents who live here have to have support from people to go out into the community, and this is just one more avenue to decrease depression; to make their lives better, and to see a smile on their faces,” she explains.

Indeed, Hengerer’s grin reaches ear to ear when he’s told he can go out on the bike again early next week.

by Lara Fominoff