Three wheels are often better than 2. Here’s who uses unique bicycles in Lee’s Summit

People are still savoring the cool vibes of fall, but not everyone has access to a unique vehicle with which to enjoy the season.

Through a grant funded by Eitas developmental disability services of Jackson County, Lee’s Summit Parks and Recreation now has four three-wheel bicycles for residents to “rent” for free, two at Longview Community Center and two at the J. Thomas Lovell Jr. Community Center at Legacy Park.

More than 60 people have checked out the bikes since they arrived in the spring, according to Jodi Jordan, superintendent of recreation services and inclusion coordinator for Lee’s Summit Parks and Recreation. The request for three-wheel bikes was made by patrons in the community. Some older people had had problems with balance and mobility. Others had autism or were clients of the American Stroke Foundation, which offers weekly programs at the Longview Community Center.

“It seems like we’ve got a new demographic, a new group of people to ride these bikes,” said Rachel Smith, facility manager of the Legacy Park location. Mobility and balance are big obstacles to many people, she said.

“The people I’ve talked to have asked how stable they are. They feel a lot more secure on these bikes.”

There are numerous areas around the two facilities to ride, with routes ranging from easy to difficult, due to the steep hills around the lake at Legacy.

Christy Meinhardt and her grandchildren chose the hills, which were rough going up and extremely fast going down. She’s in good physical condition, working out by running, swimming and lifting weights, so she was a bit surprised at the difficulty of the ride.

“It was intense on my body,” she said, adding that she was game to go again. “It was a great workout.”

Brenda Rollins tried out the bikes three times right after their arrival.

“I was excited to hear they were coming,” said Rollins, who works twice a week at the Longview facility. She kept to the facility’s large parking lot for her first ventures out, as she hasn’t ridden a bike for quite some time.

“I knew I was out of shape. My main objective was to build up strength and stamina,” she said. “When they put them out in the spring, I’ll be on them again.”

Although the bikes at Longview have been put away for the winter, the two at Legacy are available year-round. On an occasionally nice day in winter, Smith said, a ride might be a good antidote to that cooped up feeling.

Bikes are available seven days a week and can be rented for up to two hours by visiting this site, or at the facilities. The Lovell Community Center is at 901 NE Bluestem Drive. The Longview Community Center is at 3801 S.W. Longview Road. Riders must be 10 or older and accompanied by an adult, and at least 18 to make a reservation. Membership is not required. For more information, call 816-969-1500.