'Getting old doesn't have to mean giving up': Son takes a risk and buys his 70-year-old parents electric bikes for their anniversary, resulting in a wholesome U-turn of their health and well-being

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Jesse Kessenheimer • Writer and Editor
Dec 14, 2025 4:00 PM EST

"They're genuinely happy."

Watching your parents age in real time is an upsetting experience. A reality that all children must face, once parents become elderly, feeble, and start to decline, it's hard to resist the urge to find a solution. Oftentimes, there is no solution, but for the clever son in this next story, the obvious answer to his parents' declining mental and physical health was simple: Electric bikes. 

When manned by the likes of an 11-year-old menace, E-bikes can be sketchy and dangerous on the road. Without speed capping or any legislation to promote safe riding, electric-assist bikes can be a little dicey, but for aging knees and tired joints, they're the perfect blend of active and inactive travel. Old people should all consider getting electric bikes because they offer an opportunity to explore the world again without risking cracked joints or painful muscles. The bike does all the hard work, and the rider gets to reap the benefits. 

For a man's aging parents, a pair of E-bikes was just the thing to keep his ailing parents from becoming couch potatoes.

And now, after only 6 months, their lives are infinitely better.

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  • Cheezburger Image 10585790720
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  • Electric bikes brought my elderly parents back into my life News My parents are in their mid 70s and over the past few years they became so isolated. Dad has bad
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  • knees and mom gets winded easily so they stopped doing the things they loved like going to the farmers market or riding bikes on the trail near their house. They'd
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  • just sit inside watching TV and I could see them declining mentally and physically. For their anniversary I bought them electric bikes. They thought
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  • Cheezburger Image 10585790464
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    Image is representative only and does not depict the actual subjects of the story.

  • I was crazy and said they were too old for that. But I convinced them to just try once. That first ride they did maybe a mile and came back exhausted but smiling
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  • bigger than I'd seen in years. The pedal assist meant they could bike without destroying their joints.
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  • Now six months later they ride almost every day. They've met other couples on the trail, they go to town for coffee, they're talking about taking a bike camping trip.
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  • My dad researched upgrades and found accessories on Alibaba to customize their bikes which has become his new hobby. They've both lost weight, mom's blood pressure is better, and they're genuinely happy.
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  • I cannot overstate how much this changed their lives and by extension mine. I have my parents back. We go on family rides now with my kids. They
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  • have stories to tell again. Getting old doesn't have to mean giving up everything you enjoy and I'm so glad I pushed them to try something new.
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  • Cheezburger Image 10585790208
    via Josef Polc

    Image is representative only and does not depict the actual subjects of the story.

  • VisualD_ream This is absolutely awesome. I love this. I am so happy for all you.
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  • godzillabobber The average ebike riders is 45. Much older than the average bicyclist. It really is a major shift in behavior.
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  • RoundSyrup4424 You are a wonderful person and you did such a great thing! I feel so great for you all! This story should be read by each and every politician who is trying to put ridiculous laws in place to restrict the use of legal e-bikes. Wherever bikes can go, e-bikes should be also be able to go! Thank you again for sharing your story; made my day.
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  • Working_Rest_1054 Good on you! Excellent job. Glad to hear the health and mental benefits for your parents. Pretty cool your Dad is into working on them. So much better than wasting their golden years in front of a TV.
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  • Jumpy-Stress603 Beautiful story. Good for them for having a wonderful kid and good for you for getting them away from their TV and moving and enjoying life again.
    via Jumpy-Stress603
  • jerrrrrrrrrrrrry I'm almost that old and we bought our family ebikes this summer. We love 'em! I put 900 miles on mine and I'm sad it's winter now. The best part is the wind and hills don't matter anymore. I highly recommend getting yourself an ebike.
    via jerrrrrrrrrrrrry
  • Relative_Bother_1069 What amazing uplifting Story! That was the perfect gift for your folks. Send another post With an update after a while Let us know How they're doing.
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  • Victoria_Sponge Nice! What bikes did you get them? I wish I could do the same for my parents but I know they'd never use them.
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  • karebear66 Great gift for you and them.
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  • Relative_Bother_1069 I just thought of That this is an excellent example for your kids!
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wholesome electric bikes aging family elderly son parents
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