Portland Wheelers provides thousands of bike rides to those who are unable to bike themselves. Contributed / Pete Ryan

Since its inception in 2015, a South Portland-based nonprofit has provided thousands of bike rides for those who aren’t able to pedal on their own.

“The mission is really simple: to bring the joy of biking to people who would otherwise not get to experience that,” said Pete Ryan, operations manager of Portland Wheelers. “For a lot of reasons, there are people who cannot bike on their own and we’re here to keep that opportunity alive for those folks.”

What started as one tricycle equipped to seat a passenger in front of the cyclist and a small base of volunteers has grown by leaps and bounds. Portland Wheelers now boasts 140 volunteers and more than 40 ride partners, such as assisted-living facilities, in Greater Portland. They’ve accumulated 10 trikes, two electric vans to transport them and, with a reach as far north as Brunswick, the organization provides rides for hundreds of people each year.

Karen Schilling, president of the organization’s board, said in the past four years they’ve been able to bolster their fleet of trikes and acquire the vans thanks to grant funding while finding a space in South Portland to call home.

Portland Wheelers has accumulated 10 tricycles equipped with a seat for a passenger in front of the cyclist. Contributed / Pete Ryan

“We’ve come a long way,” Schilling said. “We went from couch surfing, as we call it — just finding places in people’s homes that were willing to store our stuff — to our own space.”

Kris Grant of South Portland is among the earliest volunteers. She was looking to keep her mother, who was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, active and outdoors when she learned about Portland Wheelers.

“Over time, I think the organization has really grown and adapted to the diverse needs of the community,” Grant said. “We now give rides to kids and people who are in their own homes but would like to come and ride with us.”

Steve Riley, left, started as a volunteer with Portland Wheelers three years ago. Contributed / Steve Riley

Steve Riley of South Portland joined as a volunteer three years ago when his daughter, who was working at a partnering facility, told him about the organization. While the avid cyclist normally provides rides at Pinnacle Health & Rehab in South Portland, he, with a group of fellow volunteers and wheelers, recently went on a special ride.

“For the first time, the organization did a ride out on Peaks Island,” Riley said. “They brought the vans and the bikes out there and we gave about 25 people rides throughout the day around the island.”

Cathy Nugent of South Portland said she read an article about the organization before joining in 2017.

“I’m a cycling commuter and I cycle for fitness,” Nugent said. “I just love the idea of helping others get outside and enjoy nature on a bike. It was a great match.”

While the three volunteers found the organization in different ways, their favorite part of the experience is exactly the same: the impact it has on the rider and their loved ones.

“The response you get from the people that are actually getting the ride, and their families who are relieved and happy that their person is getting a chance to have such a great outdoor experience,” Grant said.

“I just enjoy watching the people we’re giving rides to smile,” Riley said. “Every single person I have given a ride has been extremely gracious and very excited and happy about being outdoors.”

Nugent also said she enjoys the relationships she develops with her riders.

“It seems very simple; they sit in front of the bike and we pedal around,” Nugent said. “But, between the conversations, what we see on the road or the trail, and their reactions — there’s just so much excitement and humor.”

As they close out their ninth season — each season running May through October — the organization is looking forward to their tenth where they hope to host some events “to showcase what we do,” Schilling said.

For more information on Portland Wheelers, go to portlandwheelers.org or call 207-400-9370.