April 3, 2023
Carolyn Evancio, an AHS health promotion facilitator, holds the 2022 Most Significant Change Award presented as part of Alberta Parks and Recreation’s ChooseWell Healthy Community Awards. It was given to AHS and its community partners in Fort McMurray for their collaborative efforts in promoting active living and wellness by offering seniors access to an adaptive e-bike. Photo supplied.
Last fall, AHS Facilities Maintenance and Engineering staff in Fort McMurray showed how a custom-built e-bike can accommodate up to four people. Photo supplied.
Story by Logan Clow
FORT McMURRAY — A collaborative effort to promote active living and wellness by offering seniors access to a four-person adaptive e-bike has won recognition for Alberta Health Services’ (AHS) teams and their community partners.
This adaptive e-bike initiative has been named the recipient of one of the 2022 Most Significant Change Awards through Alberta Parks and Recreation’s ChooseWell Healthy Community Awards.
Carolyn Evancio, an AHS health promotion facilitator in Fort McMurray, accepted the award at the Alberta Healthy Communities Symposium in Calgary on March 10.
“By working with several community partners, many seniors from the Fort McMurray area were able to access the e-bike last year,” she says. “The e-bike provided seniors with fun and enjoyable experiences that improved their emotional and physical health, and social well-being.
“I’m looking forward to working again with our community partners — and offering many more experiences for seniors to use the e-bike once the weather allows us to do so.”
AHS North Zone Public, Population and Indigenous Health and Seniors Health teams began using the specialty bicycle in June 2022. AHS Willow Square Continuing Care Centre residents and several community partners are among those who use the bike.
The three-wheel, double-rider bicycle features a detachable two-wheel, double-rider trailer. A recreation therapist or adult volunteer pilots the bicycle while up to three passengers pedal. Should a passenger be unable to pedal, their pedals can be blocked on one seat, allowing them to still enjoy the ride to experience the fresh air and social connection.
The bicycle is equipped with a number of safety features to ensure riders with various abilities can enjoy its benefits.
Funding for the bicycle was made possible thanks to a $40,000 donation to the Northern Lights Health Foundation from the Royal Canadian Legion, Fort McMurray Branch 165.
Read more about the story behind the e-bike.
