Fort McMurray adaptive e-bikes now award winners

Last fall, AHS Facilities Maintenance and Engineering staff in Fort McMurray showed how a custom-built e-bike can accommodate up to four people. Photo supplied by Alberta Health Services/Logan Clow.

Those specialty bikes seen scooting around Fort McMurray are being hailed by Alberta Health Services.

Local developers of the adaptive e-bike initiative were named one of this year’s recipients of the Alberta Parks and Recreation’s ChooseWell Healthy Community Awards.

Accepting the award on the team’s behalf was AHS health promotion facilitator Carolyn Evancio.

“By working with several community partners, many seniors from the Fort McMurray area were able to access the e-bike last year. The e-bike provided seniors with fun and enjoyable experiences that improved their emotional and physical health, and social well-being.”

The Royal Canadian Legion local Branch 165 donated $40,000 to the Northern Lights Health Foundation towards purchasing the e-bikes.

“I’m looking forward to working again with our community partners and offering many more experiences for seniors to use the e-bike once the weather allows us to do so.”

First seen pedaling around Fort McMurray in full force in June 2022, the three-wheel, double-rider e-bicycles can detach into a two-wheel, double rider.

A recreation therapist or adult volunteer can pilot the bicycle, which is equipped with several safety features, while up to three passengers of various abilities can pedal.

The e-bikes are popular with volunteers from AHS North Zone Public, Population and Indigenous Health and Senior Health.