En Bici Sense Edat is a non-profit organisation based in Catalonia that promotes the right of older people and those with reduced mobility to remain active members of their communities. We do this through free therapeutic rides on adapted electric tricycles, piloted by volunteers. We are part of the Cycling Without Age network and movement, active in 41 countries and 3,500 cities. In Catalonia, we operate across 14 cities with over 580 active volunteers, partnering with care homes, day centres, social organisations, and community services.
Our project began as a pilot in Barcelona in 2016 and was officially established in 2019. Since then, it has grown organically and is deeply rooted in the local territory. Our rides reconnect participants with their neighbourhoods, nature, and the rhythm of daily life, while fostering emotional wellbeing, intergenerational connection, and social inclusion. Our motto — “The right to feel the wind in your face” — reflects our commitment to dignity, joy, and community.
Our work focuses on emotional wellbeing, active ageing, and the prevention of social isolation and loneliness. Through meaningful, community-based experiences, we create opportunities for connection, memory-sharing, and mutual care. The rides offer therapeutic benefits that go beyond mobility, supporting mental health, reducing feelings of abandonment, and strengthening the self-esteem and dignity of participants.
We challenge ageism and ableism by making visible the contributions and rights of older people and people with disabilities. Our approach promotes intergenerational bonding, inclusion, and the right to enjoy public space. By fostering volunteerism and community engagement, we aim to build a more just, cohesive, and empathetic society where care is shared and everyone feels valued.
As a grassroots non-profit organisation committed to promoting emotional wellbeing, inclusion, and active ageing we are looking to grow our reach and impact by connecting with like-minded stakeholders across Europe and beyond. Through the ECHAlliance community, we seek opportunities to build partnerships with organisations and ecosystems that share our values and can help us strengthen local chapters, expand to new regions, and co-create innovative practices that put people at the centre of care.
We are currently participating in an EU-funded project and are eager to be involved in additional European collaborations focused on social care, health equity, sustainable mobility solutions and age-friendly environments. Support from the ECHAlliance community through networking, shared knowledge, and engagement in relevant working groups would be invaluable in helping us scale our model, professionalise our structures, and advocate more effectively for the rights and wellbeing of older adults and people with reduced mobility.
