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

WMJ. 2017 Aug;116(3):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.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Bicycling / statistics & numerical data*
  • Child
  • Delivery of Health Care
  • Equipment Design*
  • Exercise
  • Female
  • Head Protective Devices / supply & distribution*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Social Determinants of Health*
  • Transportation / methods
  • Transportation / statistics & numerical data*
  • Wisconsin