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.

Project description was created using generative AI and then reviewed for accuracy.

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.

Shawnee Mission, KS

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2018

Project Category: Micromobility enhancements/management

Description: To expand access to cycling, this project expanded the BikeWalkKC bikeshare program. Parks and Recreation Foundation of Johnson County set out to install bikeshare stations in four parks, including a new park located near a residential area with a senior living community. The stations serve four municipalities -- Olathe, Prairie Village, Lenexa, Shawnee and Overland Park. To measure the bikeshare program's popularity, each station uses smart technology to track each bike's location, how frequently it is checked out, the length of each checkout and who used it. Organizers plan to specifically market the service to older adults, who represent a growing share of Johnson County's population.