Letting the Good Times Roll – Mobility and Aging Well is written by Libby Chinault, Whatcom Smart Trips Coordinator. This article is published in the Spring/Summer 2026 Edition of Vibrant Senior Options Resource Guide.
Mobility and Aging Well
Having friendships, regular activities, and even loose community connections all contribute to physical and mental health. Seniors who are aging well often have reliable transportation options to stay connected — even when daily driving habits change.
From the coffee shop to cultural events, being able to get where you want to go can mean the difference between feeling stuck at home and staying active and vibrant.
Staying Connected Through Friendship and Activities
Maintaining social connections is key to aging well. Activities with friends, neighbors, and community groups keep both mind and body engaged. Even casual interactions while traveling around town can improve overall wellness.
Mobility Means Engagement
Local Stories: Scott Moore’s Active Lifestyle
Bellingham local Scott Moore has moved frequently and always looks for places where he can get around without a car.
“It’s actually part of my aging plan to be able to take public transit or bike.”
Scott regularly rides the bus to the University for sporting events and theater performances. What began as a quest to lower his environmental impact has evolved into a lifestyle that helps him stay engaged with the community as he ages.
Planning Ahead for Independence
Carrying Groceries and Everyday Errands
With a little preparation, public transit can support more than leisure activities — it can handle everyday errands as well. Scott manages a week’s worth of groceries on a single bus trip across town using a large cloth bag.
Sandy Guilliard prefers a backpack for smaller trips or a two-wheeled cart if she plans on some major “retail therapy.”
Social Benefits of Transit Trips
She not only enjoys the shopping but also the social aspect of riding.
“It can be a friendly conversational opportunity with other riders and the drivers.”
Riding Toward Health and Community
Attending Medical Appointments
Equally important, Sandy gets to all her medical appointments using public transit. When possible, choose a care provider accessible by bus — and don’t hesitate to request appointment times that fit the schedule.
Volunteering and Social Engagement
“I volunteer at the Humane Society thrift store every week,” says Bree Sherrer. “I really count on the bus to get there and back.”
Volunteering has proven to be a bigger boost for mental and physical health than many other social activities.
“I also go to the Senior Center and to my Fellowship on Sunday. I understand that being social is very important for seniors. This just gives me the opportunity to go places which, honestly, if I didn’t have the bus, I probably would not go.”
Tips for Seniors to Stay Mobile
- Choose care providers reachable by public transit.
- Learn bus routes and schedules in advance.
- Use backpacks, cloth bags, or two-wheeled carts for errands.
- Join guided trips and community programs like Smart Trips to explore fun and useful destinations around Bellingham.
Closing Thoughts
We don’t always get to choose when we stop driving, but we don’t have to let it end our connections. Living near transit and learning how to use it can keep independence intact and maintain strong community ties.
Libby Chinault
Smart Trips Education Coordinator
Whatcom Smart Trips
www.whatcomsmarttrips.org
360-756-8747
