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Newport, RI

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2023

Project Category: Micromobility enhancements/management

Description: Disabled veterans and older adults who could no longer cycle faced isolation and limited access to outdoor recreation. Bike Newport launched its Cycling Without Age program, offering scenic trishaw rides piloted by trained volunteers. Over 90 residents participated in 12 excursions, enjoying companionship, nature and cross-generational conversations. The program also raised visibility through parades and community events, inspiring future expansion. One participant shared, "There was a great vibe around Atria all day after this activity... residents are looking forward to this every Tuesday morning now".

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."

Powhatan County, VA

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2021

Project Category: Micromobility enhancements/management

Description: The Powhatan County Department of Social Services hoped to give local older adults a unique way to get around town. The Department's Ride Assist Services purchased four easy-to-ride adult tricycles. To help allow residents to try them out, they also purchased a covered trailer. This allows them to transport the trikes to community events, including Powhatan's annual Earth Day celebration. Interested riders can borrow the trikes, after signing a waiver and donning a helmet. To further encourage people to explore town by foot or bike, the County also installed decorative benches downtown. In the future, the County hopes to launch a share or rental program to allow on-demand access to the tricycles.

Nearby AARP Community Challenge Projects

Waite Park, MN

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2024

Project Category: Access to health care services

Description: Older adults in Minnesota often struggle to access mobility equipment and inclusive activities, limiting independence and safety. To address this, ConnectAbility launched a mobile Donated Equipment Program by refurbishing a trailer and hosting pop-up events that distributed walkers, wheelchairs and other aids. Volunteers also built a raised accessible garden to showcase adaptive gardening solutions and assistive tools. The project expanded access, inspired similar home gardens and sparked requests for technology seminars. One participant said the mobile program "brought relief and peace of mind" after her mother finally received a walker, reducing fall risks and restoring independence.

Brooklyn Park, MN

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2021

Project Category: Accessibility of amenities

Description: The City of Brooklyn Park hoped to improve the accessibility of its community events, making them more welcoming to residents with mobility challenges. So the City invested in portable mats, which event organizers can lay down to create a 360-foot accessible pathway. Additionally, the City purchased outdoor chairs to flank the path. Meant to be used across the community, the mats and chairs are easily stored and transported between event locations by city staff.

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