More seniors get in cycling groove

Silver Spokes program encourages staying active, enjoying trails.

With the Atlanta Beltline, the Silver Comet Trail and other dedicated pathways and bike lanes throughout the metro, Atlanta’s reputation as a bike friendly area is starting to take shape.

And metro Atlanta’s active senior population, which is growing, is making sure they don’t miss out on the fun, exercise and convenience of this mode of transportation.

When 71-year-old Roger Schuppert of Decatur goes to work or runs errands, he climbs on his adult tricycle. The city’s network of bike lanes and pathways keep him safe, and the trike’s three wheels keep him upright.

He has trouble with balance, so a two-wheeler is not an option. A big wire basket in back holds everything he wants to take along.

“I don’t own a car, so I had to walk or take MARTA everywhere I went. This saves me time and saves energy,” he said.

It’s also fun. Schuppert recently participated in the city’s Third Friday Bike Ride, a 6-mile cycle through Decatur neighborhoods. He had no problem keeping up with riders on two-wheelers, said Sara Holmes, adult and senior program manager for Decatur Active Living, the city’s recreation division.

Holmes wants more seniors to start cycling. As a bike friendly destination, Decatur continues to add to its protected lane network.

The aging-in-place needs of baby boomers are being considered in the planning of interconnected trail systems in communities throughout the state, said Elliott Caldwell, executive director of the advocacy group Georgia Bikes. He said polls show seniors want more dedicated trails to ride on, and they want those trails to connect so they can go see a friend or run an errand.

“As adults get older, they want to access safe places for walking and riding, away from traffic,” Caldwell said. “It’s definitely a desire and a need we’re hearing about.”

To help older adults feel more comfortable about cycling, Decatur purchased three adult tricycles with the help of a $1,000 mini grant from the Georgia Recreation and Parks Association and began offering training classes for seniors about two years ago.

Silver Spokes I and II will meet again in September and October. More information is available at the Decatur Active Living website, decaturga.com/residents/ active-living.

Silver Spokes I participants meet once a week for a month to learn the basics of bicycling, such as bike safety, using hand signals and gears. They also get a chance to ride in a safe courtyard away from traffic, then progress with a ride on the Stone Mountain PATH.

A followup class, Silver Spokes II, meets for another month, covering advanced skills and longer rides with the hope that most will transition to two wheels.

“A lot of seniors haven’t ridden

a bike in a long time. Riding on three wheels helps ease their mind just a touch. Once they get on and see how sturdy it is, they realize they’re going to be just fine,” Holmes said.

Seniors can expect to spend $500 or more for a good adult tricycle, though Schuppert bought his refurbished for $350. While the third wheel helps with balance — especially when stopping — the trike is also heavy and bulky, and getting through tight spaces can be a problem, Schuppert said. Some models fold front to back to make transporting them easier.

Schuppert said he utilizes his extensive experience as a public safety volunteer when he rides. He is a crossing guard for the city of Decatur and a Citizens Assisting Public Safety (CAPS) volunteer with the Decatur Police Department.

He makes eye contact with drivers and tries to ride the same route to reduce the risk of encountering something unexpected.

He calls his trike, outfitted with a bell, blinking lights and rear-view mirror, “a good decision.”

CONTRIBUTED BY LAURA BERRIOS Roger Schuppert, 71, rides his adult tricycle all over Decatur, using the city’s dedicated bike lanes and pathways. Schuppert, who doesn’t own a car, previously had to walk or ride MARTA everywhere he went. The bike saves time and energy, he said.