At its heart, Cycling Without Age is about much more than a bike ride. It is about helping older adults remain connected to their neighbourhood, enjoy meaningful social interaction, and experience the simple joy of being outside. For many seniors, especially those with mobility challenges or limited access to transportation, opportunities like this can make a real difference. A ride with one of our volunteer pilots along the canal or through one of Ottawa’s beautiful green spaces can bring back memories, spark conversation, and provide a sense of freedom that many of us may take for granted.
Our 2025 season was a great success, with 63 different participants over the summer. You can ride two at time too. This summer, we will be offering late-afternoon rides and Sunday rides, depending on pilot availability. These expanded times will allow more seniors to participate and enjoy the program in a way that works for them.
This year, many of our rides will focus on Dow’s Lake, where participants can enjoy views of the water, surrounding pathways, and the new swimming area and dock that opened last year. On Sundays, participants can have the opportunity to travel along the canal on Colonel By Drive as part of Ottawa Sunday Bike Days, offering a unique and scenic way to experience one of Ottawa’s most loved routes.
Cycling Without Age would not be possible without our dedicated volunteer pilots, who generously give their time to help older adults experience these special outings. This is community care in action: neighbours helping neighbours, and people giving their time to ensure older adults are valued and included.
If you are a senior or know a senior who would enjoy a ride on our tri-shaw, please contact Shirley Lee at slee@glebecentre.ca or by calling (613) 230-5730 ext. 327.
What are Community Support Services?
Our Community Support Services are designed to help older adults and adults living with disabilities remain at home, stay connected, and age with dignity. We know that many people want to continue living in their own homes and communities for as long as possible.
Through our Community Support Services, we work to reduce isolation, support independence, and provide practical assistance to seniors and their caregivers. These services include programs such as adult day programs, transportation to medical appointments, friendly visiting, service arrangements, and community-based supports that help older adults continue to participate in daily life.
For some clients, this may mean having reliable transportation to a medical appointment. For others, it may mean having a safe and welcoming place to attend during the day, giving caregivers much-needed respite. For others still, it may simply mean knowing that someone in the community is checking in and helping them stay connected.
Our Dementia Day Away Program plays a vital role in supporting both older adults and their families. The program provides a safe, structured, and social environment for individuals living with dementia, while also offering caregivers time to rest, work, attend appointments, or manage other responsibilities. Caregiving can be rewarding, but it can also be exhausting. Respite programs help families continue caring for their loved ones at home while ensuring that the person receiving care has opportunities for engagement, activity, and connection.
Our community shopping trip is another important example of practical support. Access to groceries is something many people take for granted, but for seniors who no longer drive or who have mobility challenges, it can become a major barrier to independence. By helping older adults access groceries and stay connected to their community, this service supports both physical health and social well-being.
Looking for a volunteer opportunity?
As a local not-for-profit organization, we rely heavily on volunteers to help us continue offering meaningful programs and services to older adults in our community. Volunteers are essential to our work.
We are currently looking for volunteers to support several important areas, including volunteer medical drivers, support with our Dementia Day Away Program, and assistance with our community shopping trip. Whether helping someone get to an important medical appointment, offering support in a dementia care program, assisting with access to groceries, volunteers help older adults maintain independence, dignity, and quality of life.
If you are interested in volunteering or would like to learn more about the opportunities available, please contact Dave O’Neill at doneill@glebecentre.ca or by calling (613) 230-5730 ext. 322.
