A fund drive has started in Decorah to raise money for a specialized bicycle for Decorah's long-term care facilities

Posted: Tue, May 26, 2020 2:30 PM

"Cycling Without Age Decorah" is a new volunteer organization formed to help Decorah long-term care facilities to obtain, maintain, and use equipment to offer free bike rides to local nursing home residents and other people unable to ride independently.

The group has begun raising $20,000 in donations and already has pledges of over $7,000.

Donations will allow Barthell Eastern Star Home and Arlin Falck Assisted Living to purchase a "Chat" trishaw, a Featherlite trailer for the Chat's transportation and storage, and safety and maintenance equipment such as helmets, tools, and a cell phone. Other area nursing homes have also been contacted about the program.

Last fall, All Ability Cycles from Jefferson, Iowa, visited Decorah with a selection of vehicles, including the Chat, which is pictured above.

Cycling Without Age Decorah Affiliate has met with the Decorah City Council, the Decorah Police Department, the Decorah Parks and Recreation Department, and the Trails of Winneshiek 28-E Committee. All entities agree that the Chat trishaw is appropriate for trail and street use.

Updated: For more information, contact Nori Hadley via phone or email: 563.387.3777 or nhadley@easternstardecorah.com

Use the following link to contribute directly to our campaign: gf.me/u/xqx3sm

The Barthell OES website also has a link and more information: www.easternstardecorah.com