The Pedalar Sem Idade project, inspired by the Danish international movement ‘Cycling Without Age’, aims to “combat loneliness and social isolation among seniors and people with reduced mobility,” benefiting hundreds of individuals since 2018. Leonor Pedro, executive director of Pedalar Sem Idade, provided insights into the initiative.
The project offers “moments of companionship, joy, and freedom to those who need it most” and operates in 12 Portuguese cities, making a “difference in the lives of hundreds of people.” A study conducted under Portugal Inovação Social revealed that 84% of participants in the initiative “significantly reduced their level of loneliness.”
Leonor Pedro shared with Noticias ao Minuto various impactful stories, including remarks such as, “This was the first day in a month that I didn’t cry,” and “Today, loneliness stayed home,” describing these as “simple yet profound” statements heard from volunteers.
However, challenges persist, particularly in “financing,” “retention of volunteers,” and “lack of awareness about aging, social isolation, and loneliness.”
Looking ahead, Pedalar Sem Idade Portugal aims to expand, reaching more seniors and individuals with reduced mobility, striving to restore the “right to feel the wind in their hair.”
For those unfamiliar, what is the Pedalar Sem Idade project and its mission in Portugal?
The Pedalar Sem Idade project draws inspiration from the Danish international movement Cycling Without Age, created by Ole Kassow, with the primary objective of combating loneliness and social isolation among seniors and people with reduced mobility by offering regular ‘trishaw’ rides, bikes adapted with comfortable sofas. The initiative launched in Portugal in 2018, with initial rides in Lisbon and Porto starting in 2019 when the association was still named ‘Pedalar Sem Idade – Associação de Apoio à Terceira Idade’. In 2021, it officially joined the international network, becoming Pedalar Sem Idade Portugal, proudly adopting the original movement’s values and mission: restoring the “right to feel the wind in their hair.”
Pedalar Sem Idade Portugal has received significant support and success in the country, exceeding all expectations.
Currently, the project is limited to a few Portuguese cities. How has the support been?
At present, the project operates in 12 areas across Portugal, from north to south, referred to as “chapters,” with each having a local team adapted to the community context but connected to our national network through shared values and goals. We are in Almada, Cascais, Castelo Branco, Castro Verde, Coimbra, Guimarães, Lisbon, Mafra, Sintra, Torres Vedras, Vila Franca de Xira, and Vila Real de Santo António.
Pedalar Sem Idade Portugal has received significant support and success in the country, exceeding all expectations. We continuously expand to more cities and leave a positive impact in each, thanks to invaluable support from local municipalities and, of course, our network of dedicated volunteers who tirelessly bring unique experiences of companionship, joy, and freedom to those most in need.
What have been the main challenges in implementing this initiative?
Funding poses one challenge. Although the rides are free and pilots volunteer, there are associated costs such as vehicle maintenance, insurance, and the association’s human resources.
Volunteer retention can also be challenging, as it’s difficult to find individuals willing to commit regularly, especially with most rides scheduled during working hours. Despite this, we have a truly dedicated volunteer network passionate about Pedalar Sem Idade’s mission, making a difference in hundreds of lives.
Additionally, there’s a deeper obstacle: the lack of awareness about aging, social isolation, and loneliness. If these issues became social and political priorities and were taught early in education emphasizing active aging and respecting the elderly as a fundamental societal duty, our project’s impact could be significantly greater. Cultivating a culture of empathy and closeness could undoubtedly help us better overcome this challenge.
Who can volunteer? Is special training required?
Anyone of legal age who shares the values and mission of Pedalar Sem Idade can volunteer, provided they can physically pedal. Volunteers are crucial, serving as the driving force behind our ‘trishaws’.
To ensure everyone’s comfort and safety, volunteers must complete mandatory training before starting rides, consisting of an online theoretical session and a practical in-person session lasting at least two hours. After this, they are certified and ready to pedal, with the first ride being supervised.
Besides individual rides, we also promote corporate volunteering through partnerships with companies that join the initiative, allowing employees to experience this opportunity. Further details on volunteering and sign-up are available on our website.
84% of our passengers significantly reduced their level of loneliness
How does this project help combat social isolation and promote active aging?
Combating social isolation is our mission, which we realize daily by encouraging seniors and people with reduced mobility to leave home, participate more in community activities, and engage in social dynamics. This way, we also promote active aging, offering leisure moments that foster social interaction, new relationships, intergenerational connections, and happiness.
Under Portugal Inovação Social, we conducted an impact study showing over 84% of passengers significantly reduced their level of loneliness. This outcome confirms that we are indeed changing lives, proving aging doesn’t have to be a painful process.
What role can green mobility play in people’s health and well-being, especially for seniors?
Green mobility plays a significant role. Our ‘trishaws’ are electric, reflecting our genuine concern for the environment and sustainability. Cities with conducive conditions for safe, free movement by bike, walking, or other sustainable methods are calmer, less polluted, and offer more outdoor activities, benefiting overall well-being.
For seniors, the positive impact of green mobility is even more apparent, encouraging active community participation, closer contact with nature, and freedom in clean air environments essential for health. By providing this freshness and joy, we contribute to the mental and emotional health of everyone involved, exemplifying how social prescriptions are crucial for ensuring well-being.
How does Pedalar Sem Idade stand out from other projects with similar goals?
We are delighted to see other projects with similar goals emerge, as it means we’re all moving in the same direction, addressing the same problem with attention, visibility, and solutions. Pedalar Sem Idade stands out by restoring passengers’ sense of freedom.
While many initiatives focus on activities in enclosed spaces or companion services, our rides allow participants to breathe fresh air, interact with people along the way, and traverse familiar streets with active volunteers as journey companions, conversation partners, and often true friends.
Being part of an international movement also differentiates us, enabling continuous improvement by learning from best practices in different countries and adapting them to Portugal’s reality. This strong network inspires and shows there’s always room for innovation.
“This was the first day in a month that I didn’t cry”
Is there a memorable story you have experienced during the project?
Yes, there are many stories that move us and remind us of the importance of our mission. One of the most remarkable was from a passenger who said after the ride, “This was the first day in a month that I didn’t cry.” We’ve also heard comments like, “Today, loneliness stayed home.” These are simple but deeply meaningful statements.
Others have expressed, “It’s a good thing that gets us out and makes us feel good,” or even, “It could be every day, it’s wonderful.” Our volunteers often confess they too experience the project’s purpose, feeling less lonely themselves. Each of these stories demonstrates Pedalar Sem Idade’s transformative power and inspires us to strive for growth and extend this experience to more people.
What are the upcoming steps and goals for Pedalar Sem Idade Portugal’s future?
We envision Pedalar Sem Idade Portugal continuing to expand, establishing itself in more areas nationwide to reach more seniors and people with reduced mobility. However, we acknowledge the need to consolidate operations in currently active chapters. Additionally, we are in a digital transition phase, which will help enhance everyone’s experiences.
