Green Acres Foundation rolls out tandem bikes for residents

By Lethbridge Herald on April 29, 2023.

Herald photo by Alejandra Pulido-Guzman 102-year-old Ruth Schumacher takes the first ride on a new tandem assisted bicycle with LPS chief Shahin Mehdizadeh.

Alejandra Pulido-Guzman – LETHBRIDGE HERALD – apulido@lethbridgeherald.com

Green Acres Foundation residents now have the opportunity to ride tandem assisted bicycles. The oldest Heritage Lodge resident, who is 102 years old, was the first one to take a turn Friday morning. 

“She asked to be the very first person to be let on the bike. At 102 we were not going to say no to her,” said Dawna Coslovi, Green Acres Foundation CEO. 

Ruth Schumacher had the opportunity to take the first ride right next to Lethbridge Police Service Chief Shahin Mehdizadeh after both learned how to use it. 

Once strapped down and with helmets on, Mehdizadeh and Schumacher started to pedal away. They went for a short ride along 6 Street South. 

“I enjoyed it very much. The only thing is that I’m short-legged and it was hard for me to pedal. If I could’ve pedaled I think it would’ve been nicer. I tried to pedal but my foot kept coming off,” said Schumacher. 

She said she enjoyed Mehdizadeh’s company and wanted the ride to be even longer but was happy she had the opportunity to be the first. 

Coslovi said they were able to purchase the bicycles thanks to funds collected through their annual charity golf tournament, Lions’ Club of Picture Butte, and partial funding by the Community Foundation of Lethbridge and Southwestern Alberta. 

Mayor Blaine Hyggen also had the opportunity to take one of the residents out on a tandem assisted bicycle after receiving a safety lesson. 

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