University of Wisconsin–Madison Medical College of Wisconsin

Wheels for All: Addressing Social Determinants of Health One Bicycle at a Time

Lucas Zellmer, BS; Nathan Fleming, MD, MPH

WMJ. 2019;118(1):165-167

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ABSTRACT

Background: Wheels For All provides bicycles to individuals in La Crosse, Wisconsin to address the transportation barrier that often inhibits low-income individuals’ ability to access community resources.

Methods: Recipients are referred by social service, health care, or other community agencies based on their need for transportation or exercise. Donated bicycles are matched to a recipient, repaired, and delivered personally by volunteers.

Results: Through collaboration with social service agencies, health care systems, and the community at-large, Wheels For All received referrals from 21 different sources and provided 101 recipients with bicycles from April 2015 to July 2017.

Conclusion: Using a cost-effective, community-engagement model, Wheels For All provides a means of transportation for recipients, resulting in an enhanced ability to access community resources.


Author Affiliations: St. Clare Health Mission, Mayo Clinic Health System, La Crosse, Wis (Zellmer); Department of Pediatrics, Gundersen Health System, La Crosse, Wis (Fleming).
Corresponding Author: Lucas Zellmer, St. Clare Health Mission – Mayo Clinic Health System, 916 Ferry St, La Crosse, WI 54601; phone 608.392.9544; fax 608.392.9570; e-mail zellmer.lucas@mayo.edu.
Funding/Support: None declared.
Financial Disclosures: None declared.
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