AARP Awards 2022 Community Challenge Grant to FNRT

Funding for Cycling Without Age project

July 17, 2022 • Saved under Andover Organizations
Press release
FNRT purchased an electric trishaw with the proceeds from the AARP Community Challenge grant recently awarded. The program is called Cycling Without Age and will start out in Lebanon.

The AARP Community Challenge grant program announced their 2022 grantees on June 29. Friends of the Northern Rail Trail (FNRT) is very excited to be one of the winning organizations. 

Cycling Without Age logo.

AARP grants are intended to make tangible improvements in communities that jump-start long-term change. The program is part of AARP’s nationwide Livable Communities initiative, which supports the efforts of cities, towns, neighborhoods, and rural areas to become great places to live for people of all ages. To learn more, visit AARP.org/Livable.

The ambitious project AARP is funding for FNRT will start out in Lebanon, in collaboration with Lebanon Park and Recreation, and hopefully be adopted by other cities and towns along the Northern Rail Trail.  It is called Cycling Without Age (CWA) and is being spearheaded by FNRT board member Amy Chan.

Cycling Without Age is an international, volunteer-based program that connects seniors or less abled individuals with pilots (cyclists) who take them for rides on an electric passenger trishaw.  The program aims to increase access to the Northern Rail Trail and the bike-friendly streets of Lebanon for those who have mobility restrictions. 

A side benefit will be that volunteer piloting gives older adults who need e-assist but don’t own an e-bike an opportunity to continue cycling by participating in our volunteer program.

FNRT Logo

Amy notes that “most of our passengers will be aged 80+, so those who grew up in this region will remember the railroads. I believe this will be the first CWA program associated with a Rail Trail. 

“FNRT has always valued and invested in preserving our railroad history. What better way to preserve railroad history than to give those who lived it a chance to tell their stories to a younger generation while out enjoying the Trail together?”

With funding from this grant, FNRT purchased the electric trishaw and will donate it to Lebanon Park and Recreation, which will also assist in training a team of volunteer cyclists (pilots), provide online sign-up services, and conduct background checks for volunteers.

This generous award by the 2022 AARP Community Challenge grant program validates what can be done and is being done to encourage safe and fun outdoor recreation for all ages in our area.  For more information about the Northern Rail Trail, please visit FNRT.org.