Copenhagen Cycles

STEP 1

CREATE A CHAPTER
The first step to bringing Cycling Without Age to your community is starting a chapter. As many chapter founders will attest to, once people see your first trishaw the demand will be there. Crafting a strong plan out of the gate will ensure rides and smiles for years to come.

JOIN THE MOVEMENT

Complete the Affiliate Agreement. This is free, and gives you access to a global community of chapters who can guide you on your way.

CREATE A CHAPTER PLAN

Before you get too far down the rabbit hole of ordering trishaws and training pilots, build out a plan for your chapter. This can be a simple document that answer the following questions:

Why do you want to bring trishaws to your community?

What is your mission statement?

What are your overall goals?

Who do you want to reach with your rides?

Is it a specific demographic in your community?
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Are there specific senior communities that you want to work with?

What do you want your chapter to look like in 5 years?

How many trishaws and pilots do you want to have?

How many rides per year do you want to give?

Do you need non-profit status?

Starting your own non-profit requires some work, but gives you more flexibility and reduces overhead.

Working under the umbrella of an organization like a bike coalition can provide fiscal sponsorship and insurance, but will cost.

Many donors will require non-profit status to make donations.

How will you offer rides in your community?
BUILD A TEAM

A Board of Directors is required if you plan to start a non-profit, and can contribute to your chapter management.

  • A local bike shop owner can help with trishaw maintenance
  • Someone who knows local foundations can solicit donations
  • Someone with accounting experience can manage your books

Core Volunteers can help manage your day-to-day operations. Consider starting out with the following:

  • Ride Coordinator to handle bookings and assign pilots
  • Pilot Coordinator to manage training and recruitment
  • Fundraising Coordinator to secure grants and sponsorships
CALCULATE A BUDGET

A clear budget will help you prioritize your fundraising, and build a more sustainable chapter. There are a two core cost categories to consider as you build out your budget:

Startup Costs

Annual Costs

ADDRESS SAFETY

When many people hear about Cycling Without Age, the first question that they have is about safety. Aren’t rides dangerous? Who is liable? Do you have insurance? Many donors, partner organizations, and older adults may have heightened sensitivity to risk. Listen to their concerns, and work on tailoring your chapter to meet their needs.

Risk Management Talking Points

Here are suggested talking points to use when questions of risk and safety come up.

  • Many aging experts would argue that the dangers posed by isolation and loneliness indoors far outweigh the much smaller risks of going on a ride.
  • Trishaw rides are slow. Usually no more than 5-6 mph.
  • Pilots are trained on standards established by CWA chapters around the world.
  • Rides usually take place on car-free multi-use paths.
  • Chapters have their own liability insurance.
  • Everyone who boards a trishaw must sign a waiver (here is an example).

Insurance

Getting proper liability insurance will go a long way towards addressing many stakeholders’ concerns. There are two primary ways to go about doing this:

  • Get your own liability insurance through Silent Sports, who insures most of the existing CWA chapters

  • If you are under the umbrella of an organization like a bike coalition, their insurance might cover you

     

    Step 2: Build Support →