‘Pedaling Past Barriers’ helps Gainesville seniors cycle together

As an avid cyclist who rides his bike to work every day — rain or shine — Hongwu Wang, Ph.D., knows firsthand the multiple benefits of cycling.

So when the UF professor saw an opportunity to promote safe and accessible cycling for older adults in Gainesville, he jumped at the chance. This fall, he will be leading residents of two local retirement communities on weekly group rides through his Pedaling Past Barriers program.

“My bicycling commute has improved not only my physical health but also my mental resilience,” said Wang, a biomedical engineer, rehabilitation scientist and assistant professor of occupational therapy at the UF College of Public Health and Health Professions. “There is a lot of evidence showing bicycling is fantastic for helping people stay active and for improving cognitive function. And when people bike together, it’s a way to connect with others.”

With funding from an Outride Research Partnership Grant, Wang and other Pedaling Past Barriers organizers are purchasing a fleet of adaptive cycles for an 8-week, structured program. Participants will receive occupational therapy functional mobility screenings and fittings to match them with the appropriate cycle, based on their physical and cognitive needs, before the program’s group rides. 

“Standard cycling may not be the best biomechanical reality for the aging population, but there are other options available,” Wang said.

These options include electric bicycles, or e-bikes, with battery-powered pedal assist that can help compensate for diminished strength and range of motion. Step-through e-bikes have a lower frame that makes mounting and dismounting easier. Adult tricycles offer greater stability without the balancing demands of two-wheel models.

Wang, who serves as the director of the UF Institute for Driving, Activity, Participation, and Technology, regularly works with older adults at his Technology for Occupational Performance Lab. The latter is located on the campus of the 136-acre Oak Hammock at the University of Florida retirement community, in a building called the Smart House, which was designed to allow UF researchers to explore how novel applications of technology can facilitate independent living and elder care. 

With these connections, it was natural for Wang to partner with wellness managers at Oak Hammock and The Village at Gainesville, another local retirement community, to launch Pedaling Past Barriers. 

Additional UF team members in the program include Chiung-ju (CJ) Liu, PhD, OTR/L, an associate professor of occupational therapy; Danielle Jake-Schoffman, Ph.D., an associate professor of health education and behavior at the College of Health and Human Performance; Mia Maccagnano, a Doctor of Occupational Therapy student; and Emma Martins, an undergraduate student majoring in health science.

These researchers will assess participants before and after the program to determine the effects on bicycling confidence, executive function, mood and social connection.

“The socialization aspect of this study will open many doors for the development of new friendships,” said Nicole Barabas, the director of wellness and lifestyles at Oak Hammock. “As we know, socialization is an extremely important aspect of wellness, which allows people to age at an optimal level of health.”

With lessons learned from the project, Wang intends to create an open-access adaptive cycling toolkit for other continuing care retirement communities, which will include information on purchasing equipment, matching riders with appropriate cycles and implementing safety protocols. Unlike city streets, retirement community roadways have less traffic and lower speed limits, making them especially well-suited for older adult cycling programs, he said.

“My hope is that this toolkit will empower other organizations to secure future funding and expand access to cycling for older adults nationwide,” Wang said.