cycling without age

What cycling without age does

Cycling Without Age is a Danish non-profit association founded in 2012 by Ole Kassow in Copenhagen. It provides free electric-assist trishaw rides to older adults and people with limited mobility through a global network of volunteer pilots. The core service is delivered at no charge to passengers at 3,700+ local chapter locations across 56 countries as of 2026, supported by 62,000+ trained pilots and 4,500+ trishaws in operation. The organization began when Kassow started offering free rides to residents of the Kærbo nursing home using a rented trishaw, motivated by his childhood experience with his father who used a wheelchair.

The movement operates on a decentralized affiliate model. Affiliate membership is free; new chapters are established by becoming affiliates, then fundraising locally for a trishaw. Approved trishaws (Triobike, Nihola, Nihola Combo, Van Raams, and Christiania Bikes) are sold exclusively through Copenhagen Cycles, the in-house distributor that handles quality control, branding, and shipping from Copenhagen. Trishaw sales generate commission revenue that funds global operations. The organization also generates revenue through pilot training sessions, takeoff events (3,000-50,000 DKK), corporate partnership memberships (1-3 year commitments), workshop and presentation fees, donations, and website hosting subscriptions (€60-€240 per quarter).

The Copenhagen Hub remains small and is described as a 'grassroots movement with a very small group' that maintains the brand, global community platform The Hood, training resources, and a network of 27 country-specific websites. Governance is provided by an Executive Committee chaired by founder Ole Kassow, with Executive Director Pernille Bussone leading daily operations. The organization holds a registered trademark and operates with strong intangible brand equity built through TED, Ashoka Fellowship, PBS, and BBC coverage. Supplementary offerings include the annual CWA Summit, AirBnB experiences, the Danish Cycling Culture Tour, and winter accessories such as Duffel blankets that extend operating seasons in northern climates.

Name

cycling without age

Legal name

Cycling Without Age

Website

https://cyclingwithoutage.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2012

Operating status

Operating

Short description

Cycling Without Age is a Copenhagen-based non-profit founded in 2012 that provides free electric-assist trishaw rides to older adults and people with limited mobility through a global network of 3,700+ volunteer-led chapters across 56 countries.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Nonprofit senior mobility services

NAICS

Services for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities (62412), Services for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities (624120), Special Needs Transportation (485991)

akta.pro primary industry

Bikeshare (Station-Based/Docked) (TLAFAMAE)

Keywords

• Nonprofit senior mobility
• Volunteer trishaw rides
• Elderly care programs
• Community cycling initiatives
• Accessible transport services

Headquarters

HQ city

Copenhagen

HQ country

Denmark

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Trishaw Sales Commission: When affiliates purchase trishaws through Copenhagen Cycles (the approved distributor), Cycling Without Age receives a commission that supports global operations. The organization states it makes a 'reasonable, fair profit on trishaw sales.'
2. Training and Program Fees: Revenue from pilot training sessions, takeoff events, and program support fees. The organization charges for training classes and takeoff events to contribute to their budget.
3. Event Hosting and Workshops: Fees for hosting workshops, presentations, and events such as the Danish Cycling Culture Tour and Flying Takeoff programs. Prices range from 3,000-50,000 DKK depending on the service.
4. Corporate Partnerships: Partnerships with companies for CSR programs, team-building rides, and sponsorships. Corporate partners pay for memberships, sponsor trishaws, or book talks with founders.
5. Donations and Fundraising: Individual and organizational donations supporting CWA operations. The organization relies on donations to maintain and develop their global community activities.
6. Website Hosting Services: Fees charged to affiliates for website hosting services on the CWA platform: national domain hosting at €240 per quarter (2024), or local chapter pages at €60 per quarter.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels11 records

Core offering

Cycling Without Age is a Copenhagen-headquartered nonprofit movement that organizes free, volunteer-piloted electric-assist trishaw rides for older adults and people with limited mobility through a global network of local affiliate chapters. The organization sells approved trishaws through its in-house distributor Copenhagen Cycles, supports chapters with training and community tools, and runs corporate partnership and event programs to fund operations. Individual rides are always free of charge to passengers.

Product overview

Cycling Without Age is a global nonprofit movement offering a single core service: free electric-assist trishaw rides for older adults and people with limited mobility, operated by volunteer pilots at local chapters. The organization is structured around an Affiliate Program (free membership) that provides chapters with resources, a global knowledge network (The Hood), training materials, and brand guidelines. Chapters acquire trishaws (Triobike, Nihola, Nihola Combo, Van Raams, Christiania Bikes) from the approved partner manufacturer Copenhagen Cycles. Supplementary offerings include a Corporate Partnership Program for team-building HR solutions, event-based tours (Danish Cycling Culture Tour, Flying Takeoff events), and an annual CWA Summit. Accessories such as Duffel blankets for winter riding are also available through Copenhagen Cycles. The movement spans over 56 countries with 3,700+ chapters, 4,500+ trishaws, and 62,000 trained pilots.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Trishaw (Rickshaw) Electric-assist trishaw bicycles distributed through Copenhagen Cycles as the primary vehicle for Cycling Without Age rides. Approved models include Triobike, Nihola, Nihola Combo, Van Raams, and Christiania Bikes; sales commissions support global Cycling Without Age operations.
• Corporate Partnership Program Multi-year membership program (1-3 years) for companies combining CSR with internal HR goals. Includes team-building rides, training sessions, newsletters, webinars, keynote talks with founders, and goal-setting aligned with competencies such as empathy, active listening, and resilience.
• Danish Cycling Culture Tour One-day guided cycling tour of Copenhagen (9:00-15:00) for up to 20 participants on own bikes, priced at 12,000 DKK. Includes visits to Christiania, meeting the first CWA trishaw builders, and a meal prepared with food rescued from local shops.
• Flying Takeoff Two-day initiation event (30,000-50,000 DKK plus travel and accommodation) where experienced Cycling Without Age instructors help plan and execute a new chapter launch, including workshops, talks, and bike rides based on best practices from over 200 takeoff events.
• Alternative Copenhagen By Cargo Bike (AirBnB Experience) 3-hour trishaw-based social impact experience offered via AirBnB, priced at 375 DKK per person for groups of up to 6 persons of all ages and abilities.
• CWA Summit Annual international gathering of the Cycling Without Age global community featuring keynote speeches, roundtable discussions, workshops, and a community rickshaw and bicycle parade.
• Website Hosting Services Subscription website hosting offered to affiliates: €240 per quarter (2024) for national CWA websites in own language, or €60 per quarter for a full local chapter website, with add-on support assistance at €25-33 per hour.
• Duffel Blanket and Winter Accessories Winter cycling accessories including a Duffel blanket with warm wool-like lining and zipper closure plus handwarmers, available for order from Copenhagen Cycles to enable year-round trishaw rides in cold temperatures.

Quantifiable outcome

• More than 3,050 chapter locations in over 40 countries as of January 2025
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Aktív MagyarországminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2025Confirmed sponsor of CWA Summit 2026 in Budapest. Hungarian organization promoting active mobility.
• Copenhagen CyclescoreOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing PartnerIn-house trishaw distributor selling approved trishaw models (Triobikes, Van Raams, Niholas, Christiania Bikes). All proceeds from trishaw sales go to supporting Cycling Without Age worldwide. Quality checked, branded and shipped from Copenhagen by Ole Kassow and team.
• AirBnBminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for 'Alternative Copenhagen By Cargo Bike' - a Social Impact Experience. 3-hour tours booked through AirBnB platform for up to 6 persons at 375 DKK per person.
• Crowdfunder UKminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorUK-based crowdfunding platform partner. CWA chapters in Falkirk, Scotland and Brighton, England have successfully fundraised using this platform.
• Rotary InternationalminorGTM or Marketing PartnerService organization that CWA encourages affiliates to approach for funding and support. Local chapters often partner with Rotary clubs for fundraising.
• Lions ClubminorGTM or Marketing PartnerService organization that CWA encourages affiliates to approach for funding and support at local level.
• Go Forth FilmsminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerFilm production company that can create subtitles for 'The Grey Escape' documentary in local languages at reasonable prices for CWA chapters.
• Gergely Karácsony (Mayor of Budapest)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMayor of Budapest and Chief Patron of CWA Summit 2026. Champion of 'Green and Social' agenda and cycling infrastructure expansion in Budapest.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• ITN America (Independent Transportation Network): ITN America operates a community-based, volunteer-driven automobile transportation service for older adults and people with visual impairment, using a similar affiliate/chapter model with paid membership and rides provided by vetted volunteer drivers. It is the closest direct analog to Cycling Without Age, both in mission (sustaining senior mobility and independence) and operating model (community-led, nonprofit, ride-based service for seniors).
• GoGoGrandparent: GoGoGrandparent provides on-demand rides by coordinating with TNC drivers (Uber/Lyft) for seniors who do not use smartphones, with 24/7 live operator support. It directly competes for the same senior mobility customer base that CWA serves through volunteer trishaw pilots, addressing the same transportation gap for older adults.
• SilverRide: SilverRide is a non-emergency medical transportation provider specializing in door-to-door service for seniors and people with mobility challenges, using trained drivers and wheelchair-accessible vehicles. It is comparable to CWA as a paid senior transportation service focused on safety, dignity, and mobility for older adults, though delivered via motor vehicles rather than trishaws.

Broad incumbents

• Meals on Wheels America: Meals on Wheels America is the largest U.S. nonprofit organization addressing senior hunger and isolation, operating through a national network of 5,000+ community-based programs with volunteer delivery. It is comparable to CWA in serving the same elderly population through a volunteer-led, chapter-based nonprofit model focused on well-being and social connection.
• Habitat for Humanity International: Habitat for Humanity is a global nonprofit operating in 70+ countries through a federated affiliate model, mobilizing volunteers and donations to build affordable housing. It is comparable to CWA as a globally scaled nonprofit movement using an affiliate/chapter structure, decentralized local operations, and a strong brand and storytelling engine to drive expansion.
• AARP Foundation: AARP is the dominant U.S. advocacy and services organization for Americans aged 50+, with millions of members, a charitable foundation, and programs targeting isolation, nutrition, and caregiver support. It is comparable to CWA as a senior-focused nonprofit ecosystem player addressing isolation, mobility, and well-being, though operating at a vastly larger scale and as a broad incumbent.
• National Church Residences: National Church Residences is one of the largest U.S. nonprofit providers of affordable senior housing and services, operating hundreds of communities across multiple states. It is comparable to CWA as a senior-serving nonprofit organization that addresses the well-being and quality of life of older adults, often partnering with CWA-style community programs at the local level.

Emerging players

• Wheels for Wellbeing: Wheels for Wellbeing is a UK-based charity campaigning for cycling infrastructure that works for disabled people, including adapted cycles and trishaws. It overlaps with CWA in advocating for cycling-based mobility for people with disabilities and limited mobility, though it focuses more on policy/infrastructure than direct ride service delivery.
• Open Ride (formerly Open Mobility) / Cycling Projects CIC: Cycling Projects is a UK-based social enterprise that delivers cycling programs for people with disabilities and other underrepresented groups, including adapted bikes and inclusive cycling sessions. It overlaps with CWA in providing cycling-based mobility and recreation for people with limited mobility, though it focuses on direct adaptive cycling participation rather than volunteer-led passenger rides.

Others

• Big Brothers Big Sisters of America: Big Brothers Big Sisters is a global nonprofit operating a volunteer mentorship model that creates intergenerational one-to-one relationships, with affiliate agencies across the U.S. and globally. It is comparable to CWA in operating a large volunteer-driven, affiliate-based nonprofit model that pairs volunteers with vulnerable populations for relational impact, though focused on youth rather than seniors.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/CycleWithoutAge
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCyR0FPy4bZALhNdz5n84nSg
• Facebookfacebook.com/cyclingwithoutage
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/cycling-without-age
• Instagraminstagram.com/cyclingwithoutage

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about cycling without age