What has three wheels and an ear-to-ear smile?

Two quick things to start:

1. ICYMI, spring is here.
2. Even halfway across the world, people aren't all that different from us.

Sorry, that's a little cryptic. Rephrased: When the weather warms up after a cold, long winter, humans are hardwired to get their butts outside.

🌍 Halfway around the world... In Scotland, volunteers are taking elderly individuals and people with disabilities out on unique bike rides around the countryside, and science says it's greatly enhancing their overall well-being.

Cycling Without Age was founded in Denmark in 2012. At the time, the creators simply wanted to help some local elderly and less-abled people get back on a bicycle. They had no idea the impact it would have worldwide.

🤔 What do they do?... Cycling Without Age provides seniors and less-able-bodied people with the opportunity to ride in what the company calls a "trishaw," a two-person bench connected to the front of a bike where passengers can enjoy the view unobstructed.

The movement started small, and has dramatically expanded. Cycling Without Age is now available in 52 countries, and – as mentioned earlier – it’s been proven to scientifically help individuals one mile at a time.

• A 2019/20 research study, completed by The Ageing Lab at Heriot-Watt University in Edinburgh, measured the effects of a ride day versus a non-ride day for dozens of participants who had taken at least four rides.
• 100% of the ride-group subjects reported improved overall mood and wellbeing. 

🚲🧓🏻 Bottom line: While we can only apply the current research results to the short-term effects of the rides, it can probably be assumed that regular riding will increase overall positive emotions in the participants. But more than anything else, the bike rides give the participants, who often have been sitting in elderly homes most of the day, "the right to wind in their hair." 

And on a lovely spring day, what more could you want?🥰

P.S. Forget the science for a sec. How cute is this whole thing?! (Well, at least I think it's pretty dang cute.)

+Editor's note: A previous version of this story ran on March 29, 2022.