Riders Club of America Ready for Expansion

Riders Club of America has seen its business double over the last year. The non-profit organization, which provides transportation for ambulatory senior citizens and people with disabilities, recorded 400 trips in July 2010 and made twice that amount in July 2011. In December 2010, the transportation company recorded 5,275 rides during the calendar year. At the end of July 2011, Riders Club has already provided well over 5,000 rides.Owner and founder of the organization, Martin Wissenberg, said he has relied on word of mouth to increase awareness of his business, and customers are finding him.“There is a large need in the community and people have found our company as they were looking for available resources,” Wissenberg said. “Our rates are set so someone who is on a fixed income can afford rides and get where they need to go.”With an increase in business and the possibility for expansion, Riders Club of America will benefit from a charity fundraiser in September that could potentially fund the program for the next year. On Sunday, September 18, Riders Club of America will be one of three organizations to benefit from “Festival for Charity” in the Amana Colonies. Festivities start at 9:00 a.m. in Village of Amana with a 5K run, horseback rides, hot air balloon rides, a barbeque, and games for kids and adults. From 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. a “Cruizin' the Colonies for Charity” event will take place in which classic and custom cars will cruise between Amana and Marengo and back. A barn dance will conclude the day's events beginning at 4:00 p.m.“The festival will be fun for the whole family, and the potential for fundraising dollars will help us expand our program across the United States,” Wissenberg said.Founded in September 2009, Riders Club of America is new to Cedar Rapids, and it could be said if it weren't for the flood of 2008, the business might not be here yet. Wissenberg was director of logistics for a company that was flooded and ultimately went out of business. When he heard the concept of a program that provided transportation for the elderly and people with special needs, he knew his background in logistics would be beneficial in developing a software program for such an organization. The software has just completed its testing period, demonstrating its flexibility, durability and transparency for riders and drivers. Riders can point and click to request their own rides online. Drivers control their availability so they can drive as little or as much as they like. The system tracks each rider's special needs, such as the use of a cane or the need to enter on a particular side of the car. Drivers can even note if they are sensitive to smoke or perfume.Riders Club of America has approximately 50 volunteer drivers and is always looking for more. Currently there are 35 riders on a waiting list as Wissenberg wants to ensure his company can provide proper assistance before expanding its customer base.“We never refuse a ride, so we want to make sure our driver base is efficient. Our statistics show that we follow through with 99.9 percent of our committed rides,” Wissenberg said.Wissenberg believes his company is unique as drivers are only responsible for picking the client up and dropping them off at their desired location. Often times another driver with the organization will be the one to pick the customer up and take them back to their home. Company reports show Riders Club of America is on time for 98% of rides.“We want to protect our volunteers. Our process is calibrated so that we know what time the rider will need to have a driver available to pick them up. It also provides the customer with their independence and they don't have to rely on family or friends to take them places. Family and friends can only drive so much before they have other things they need to do,” Wissenberg said.As business continues to grow, Wissenberg is looking to expand, and should know by the end of this week when expansion will start. His goal is to have operations in existence nationwide. “Every day is so much fun. I get to work with people who love to drive and help other people. Our riders are so appreciative that they are able to maintain their independence. It is just pure pleasure,” Wissenberg said.For more information on Riders Club of America, visit their Web site at

www.myridersclub.com or call (319) 365-1511. For more information on the “Festival for Charities” taking place in the Amana Colonies in September, visit

www.amanacolonies.com.

Below: Riders and drivers with Riders Club of America

Below: Owner and Founder of Riders Club of America, Martin Wissenberg, 

participated in BSI's booth at the Downtown Farmers' Market in July with 

a bucket game in which each player was a winner.

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