St. Albert woman offers free rides for seniors using a specialized bike

It is another day for Martina Rouault as she prepares her “trishaw”.

Tricycle 4 Three started two years ago. From May to October, Rouault takes seniors out for free rides, connecting with nature and providing a chance for conversation.

“Who inspired me the most is my mom, she was very fortunate to have a lot of kids, so a lot of us were always visiting or phoning. But a lot of people I noticed didn’t have anybody visiting with them, and they were always in the rooms,” said Rouault.

Rouault says it’s an opportunity for seniors with mobility issues to get back on a bike, like Patricia Babiuk, who now uses a walker, and is unable to walk around trails like she used to.

“It’s just great because there’s fresh air. It’s warm. The sun is shining. There’s a little breeze when we move, and it’s something that I don’t get on my balcony,” said Babiuk.

Rouault is using her retirement to give back, spending four days a week, weather depending, offering free rides for seniors. While she has had many memorable moments, one that stood out the most was when she offered a ride to a blind senior.

“I remember the most when I told ‘Okay Beverly, lift your arms’ and she lifted her arms and she’d feel the leaves and it just lit her face up, she was just so happy to see that,” Rouault explained.

Karen Tubman, a long-time passenger, adding, “What she’s doing is incredible. The fact that she does this at no cost, because she loves this. She loves seniors. She loves exercise. She just wants to give back, and I think she’s she’s a pretty special person.”

Rouault says she will continue to serve the community as long as her body and her trishaw are able to help more seniors connect with nature.

Seniors in St. Albert can book the service through her social media page, and the trip can last anywhere from 20 minutes to two hours.