Lucas Zellmer, BS; Nathan Fleming, MD, MPH
WMJ. 2019;118(1):165-167
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.