Dayton couple drives 96 adaptive rides across Ohio trails
The Bendels spent $28,000 on equipment to help riders who cannot operate standard bicycles, but annual operating costs now reach $80,000.
By Emily Brooks ·
Nine hundred and ninety-nine.
That is the age of Lois Welsh, who pedaled a specialized tricycle in Miamisburg on October 23. She rode alongside Verna Briggs, 72, and another resident from Sycamore Glen Senior Living. The three women were strapped into $13,000 adaptive bikes that feature a removable wheelchair mount in the front. The ride was part of a new local chapter of 3Wheel Therapy, a nonprofit that offers free guided bike tours for people who cannot ride standard bicycles.
Patrick and Ruth Bendel opened the Dayton branch on July 8. The couple, avid cyclists themselves, recruited 32 volunteers in the first three months. Together, they hosted 96 rides. Those excursions covered nearly 300 miles of the state’s 1,500-mile trail network. Routes included paths in Lebanon, Miamisburg, and Dayton, with the Ohio to Erie Trail serving as a key location.
The service targets a specific gap in outdoor recreation. Kimberly Porter, director of resident lifestyles at Sycamore Glen, said many residents want to spend time outdoors but feel their physical limitations prevent them from doing so. The organization allows them to participate without the physical exertion of pedaling. Porter noted that residents often maintain smiles for an hour after returning from a trip. One client, a woman named Gracie who was on a ventilator and tracheostomy, completed a 40-minute ride with the group.
The program is free to participants but costly to run. The Bendels purchased two adaptive tricycles for approximately $28,000. They currently face annual operating costs of $80,000. Patrick Bendel said the group has relied on grant writing and funds from friends and family, but they require additional capital to sustain their operations.
Volunteers handle the riding and navigation. Jim Foerster, a volunteer who attended almost every ride this season, said the group often signs up new riders through word of mouth. He described the experience of taking first-time riders, including children with physical and mental disabilities, onto the trails. The group aims to double their capacity from 100 to 200 trips next season. Riders have ranged in age from five to 99.
Interest in the program is growing beyond the initial volunteer base. Spectators at tennis courts near the Sycamore Park trails approached riders after seeing the tricycles in action. One woman wanted to register her 90-year-old mother for a future ride, while another inquired about bringing a wheelchair-using athlete. The Bendels are looking to expand the volunteer pool and potentially open new branches as the season ends.
