Craig Gilbert | [email protected]
Margaret would approve.
That was the consensus at the long-anticipated Christening of the new electric trishaw at Alpine Summit Seniors Lodge Aug. 29.
The trike is emblazoned on the sides with the logos of its supporters - local businesses like TGP and Jasper Motorcycle Tours among them - and a dedication to Margaret, who apparently loved the feeling of the wind blowing through her hair.
The Evergreens Foundation’s local assistant manager, Meghan Gifford, said the passage refers to Maragaret Richardson.
“She would have loved this,” she said. “She would have been gleefully squealing down the road.”
Rick Lagace of TGP was there for the trishaw’s maiden voyage down Turret Street.
“It’s something for the community, to get outside,” he said.
Agnes Hisey, a 10-year resident of the lodge, got one of the first rides. She also liked feeling the wind in her hair.
“It was superb, it was exciting, the wind in your hair reminds you of riding a horse, except riding a horse is a lot rougher,” she said.
Gifford said she has “grand plans” for the trishaw, which was inspired by work by Cycling Without Age, and she’s drawing up a schedule now.
She said it was a little late, but came all the way from Copenhagen, and it’s worth it for the intergenerational links that tend to sprout in its wake.
“Being in a national park, we should be as green as possible,” she said. “But most important is just to get residents that sometimes can’t get out as often. We have a lot of bikers in this community, they get older and can’t ride anymore.
“I’m working on what program will look like, but anyone who knows someone who would like to ride the bike can get in contact with me and we can start working on a schedule.”
