MDI Wheelers
Adapted Biking in Acadia National Park
WHO WE ARE
We are a volunteer-led 501C 3 nonprofit organization established in 2021. We started as a group from Tremont, Maine- the “Tremonsters” who biked together on the Carriage Roads. We helped each other when some of us developed physical limitations that made getting outdoors harder and harder. We discovered how much joy comes to people with disabilities from being out on the Carriage Roads
WHAT WE DO
The aim of the MDI Wheelers is to provide experiences on the Carriage Roads in Acadia National Park for people unable to ride a bike by themselves. Our mission is to serve our community by increasing the accessibility of Acadia National Park Carriage Roads.
We offer safe and comfortable rides on special electric-assist trikes for people who would like to have a ride on the carriage roads but need assistance. All rides are free. Most rides start at Eagle Lake and are group rides with at least three volunteers. Our volunteers serve as Pilots and Safeties. Pilots peddle the trike and Safeties ride in front and behind the E-trike.
Please click the links below to view some articles about us:
WHEELERS
Wheelers are the people we serve- the ones we love to see smile! Wheelers are individuals who cannot ride a bike themselves but would like to go for a bike ride in Acadia National Park
Comment from a “Wheeler”
“The bike ride was terrific! I saw parts of the Park that I had never seen before. The ride was very comfortable and educational. Thank you MDI Wheelers”- Bill Buchanan
Ride With Us
If you, a friend or a family member are interested in a Wheeler ride, send us an email. Wheelers need to have a friend or family members who can bring them to our starting point on Eagle Lake and assist them in getting on the eTrike. Include the name of the rider, contact information and dates.
We will try hard to accommodate you and work a ride for you in to our schedule. The friend or family member is welcome to ride along.
VOLUNTEERS
Volunteers are the heart of the MDI Wheeler organization. We rely on volunteers for many tasks: to serve as pilots and safeties for our riders, to help maintain our equipment, to coordinate volunteers, to schedule rides and to build our Ride With Us community.
RIDE PARTNERS
We partner with our community organizations who serve the needs of disabled people in our communities including Birch Bay Retirement Village in Bar Harbor and Friends in Action in Ellsworth.
Board of Directors
David Edson – President
Janet Wood – Vice President
Josie Briggs – Secretary
Eleanor Andrews
Lisa Horsch Clark
Gerald Collins
Robert Hastings
Rick Smith
Wheelers, volunteers, ride partners, families and friends, sponsors, and donors;
We are the community that is the MDI Wheelers.
"COME TO US"
Ride locations on the Carriage Roads are being determined. Reservations will need to be made ahead of time. Wheelers will come to the ride location in Acadia National Park by themselves with whatever assistance they require. Our team will be there to greet them.
Sponsors & Donors
Sponsors and donors will provide the financial support necessary to pay our modest expenses so that we can keep rolling.
Support & DONATE
How can you help? We depend on donors and sponsors for funding and on volunteers for our staffing. We can’t move forward without your help.
Financial, in-kind, and volunteer support will be critical as the program begins operations. A second adapted e-trike, a transport trailer, storage shed, safety vests, helmets, and bicycle gear are some of he physical needs for 2023. Tell friends and neighbors about this very special program. Financial donations can be made in honor of or in memory of an individual, are tax deductible and will be acknowledged by email or letter for your records. In-kind donations will be gratefully received.
We are just beginning to recruit volunteers. When we are ready to offer rides, we will need volunteers for on-bike tasks. We will need pilots and safeties.
We will also need people to help maintain our trikes and equipment, to coordinate volunteers, to schedule rides and to build our ‘Come-To-Us’ community. We will need help with fundraising, organizing events, updating our social media and website, publishing our newsletter and more.
We will also be developing community partnerships. Cooperation with local organizations that work with the elderly and the disabled are important for our mission.
If you are interested in working with us on this program, please send an email to: info@mdiwheelers.org through the “Contact” form. Include your contact information and a brief statement about how you would like to help.
Pilots & Safeties
Pilots pedal our trikes with a Wheeler passenger. though our trikes are equipped with E-1 electric pedal-assist motors, riding with a Wheeler takes some strength.
Safety riders ride alongside our Wheeler trikes on their own bikes (regular or e-bikes). They assist with the safe movement of the pod on the Carriage Roads.
MDI Wheeler rides are group rides with at least two volunteers. We refer to the group of trikes and safety riders as a pod, which always stays together as a unit., Family members may ride along on their own bikes. Ride sessions will last from a half hour to an hour. All ride routes will be designed to take advantage of more moderate terrain and allow riders to enjoy lovely views.
TO BECOME A PILOT OR SAFETY, A VOLUNTEER MUST:
- Be at least twenty-one years of age;
- Weigh no more than 225 pounds;
- Complete a four-hour training session;
- Satisfactorily perform all pilot-related skills; and…
- Commit to a minimum of two half-day shifts per month, June through September.
Training
Pilot and Safety training will take place in the late spring before the ride season, primarily during May. Training sessions may also be scheduled throughout the season as required. Training sessions focus on learning how to deliver a safe, comfortable, and fun experience for our wheelers.
Sessions are four hours long and are held on select mornings and afternoons on the designated ride routes in Acadia National Park. Volunteers learn the fundamentals of operating the trikes, our safety guidelines, and best practices for interacting with our Wheelers.
Being an MDI Wheeler Pilot and Ssafety is a significant commitment with great rewards. Our Wheelers will trust you and look forward to seeing you.
You will absolutely make their day, and we’re certain they’ll make yours!