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City of Allen (2019) Print
2019 AARP Community Challenge Grantee
Project Category
Transportation
└ Micromobility enhancements/management
└ Micromobility enhancements/management
To encourage older residents to become more active and use the local trail system, the City of Allen purchased six adult electric tricycles for the Allen Senior Recreation Center. Center members can check out the trikes to use when weather permits. The tricycles provide supplementary electric power to assist with peddling when needed, enabling users with varying mobility levels to ride them. To get the lending program started, City built a storage facility for the tricycles and offered a skills class for riders. Additionally, they provided helmets, orange safety flags and bike locks. Although motorized vehicles typically aren't typically allowed on Allen's nearby Cottonwood Creek Hike/Bike trail, the City has made an exception for the trikes.
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Princeton, MN
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2022
Project Category: Micromobility enhancements/management
Description: Limited transportation choices left older adults and low-income residents with few options to stay active and connected. To address this, the city introduced an electric-assist surrey bike that accommodates multiple riders, making cycling easier for those with mobility challenges. The bike debuted at a Halloween event, where older adults and families tried it out and expressed excitement for summer rentals. This initiative promotes physical activity and social engagement while laying the groundwork for a community bike program that expands affordable transportation access.
McDonough, GA
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2022
Project Category: Micromobility enhancements/management
Description: Older adults in McDonough lacked safe, affordable ways to stay active. The center purchased 10 adult tricycles with helmets and locks, enabling participants to ride to nearby parks and markets. The trikes provide exercise and social opportunities, expand access to fresh food and will connect to future trail networks. "I can't believe I am riding a bike again at 83! I almost feel like a kid again!"
Washington, IN
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2023
Project Category: Micromobility enhancements/management
Description: Older adults in Washington struggled with limited transit and safety concerns that kept them from using the bike library. To address this, six adult trikes with helmets, baskets and safety gear were added to the library at Jamestown Square Apartments. A health fair introduced the trikes and promoted active living. Residents now ride to stores, appointments and community events on their own schedule, reducing reliance on buses and rides from others. The project also strengthened social ties and sparked local conversations about transportation. One participant said, "The trikes...allowed me to ride to the grocery store without having to wait for the bus."
Nearby AARP Community Challenge Projects
Richardson, TX
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2019
Project Category: Roadway/sidewalks/crosswalk improvement
Description: To test solutions for managing traffic and making streets safer for pedestrians and residents with mobility challenges, the City of Richardson conducted a demonstration project in the business district surrounding the Arapaho Center light rail and bus station. Dubbed a road diet, they temporarily removed two motor vehicle lanes, replacing them with bike lanes. They added an artistic pedestrian crosswalk with a blue and red pattern reflecting the City's new Innovation District branding. In addition, they removed curbs, constructed fencing, installed wayfinding signs and added landscaping. Throughout the demonstration the City collected data on traffic levels and speeds, as well as pedestrian and bike trips. They also collected resident feedback and found 78 percent supported keeping the bike lanes and 82 percent were in favor of the new crosswalk. In 2020, the City obtained a 100,000 grant to permanently install bike lanes along the route.
Lewisville, TX
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2024
Project Category: Housing Choice Design Competitions
Description: Rapid growth and rising housing costs left older adults struggling to age in place, even after zoning changes allowed accessory dwelling units (ADUs). To raise awareness, the city launched a Backyard Cottage Design Competition, engaging more than 18,000 residents through events and multilingual outreach. Older adults volunteered at parades and judging sessions, while the contest drew 67 design submissions and awarded prizes across multiple categories. The effort sparked interest in ADUs, led to a Permit Ready Plans portal for pre-approved designs and strengthened community engagement for future housing solutions.
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