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Van Raam produces uniquely special needs bicycles and specializes in tricycles, transport bikes, scooterbikes, wheelchair bikes, tandem bikes, double rider bikes, and low step trough bikes (also known as comfortbikes). Each model is also available as an electric bike (Pedelec).
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Special needs bicycles as a bicycle taxi for the elderly
Many elderly people have difficulty going outside, cycling or going to an appointment by themselves, because exercise is no longer that easy. A number of special needs bicycles in the Van Raam product range can offer a solution by using them as a bicycle taxi for the elderly. Read more about the Van Raam bicycles as a bike taxi in this article.
Why a bicycle taxi for the elderly
Many elderly people are no longer able to walk far, cycle or attend an appointment in their hometown on their own, because moving around is not (or no longer) that easy. But of course, it is important to go outside and go out. That is why a bicycle taxi for the elderly has many advantages, such as:
- Elderly people are taken out of loneliness and social isolation
- They can have a nice chat
- They can be outside again; fresh air is good for both the physical and mental condition
- The place of residence and beloved places of the past in the area can be visited (again)
- They can enjoy a bike ride and feel the wind through their hair again
- Elderly people can easily be brought to an appointment in the area
- It's an environmentally friendly way to transport someone
Special needs Van Raam bikes as a bike taxi for the elderly
Van Raam is manufacturer of special needs bikes. Bicycles are being produced that are suitable for one person, such as tricycles. But there are also bicycles being produced for multiple persons, therefore it is possible to use them as a bicycle taxi for the elderly. This gives you the possibility to go cycling with one or more extra persons.
For example, the following bicycles can be used as a bicycle taxi:
Read more about the bicycles and how various initiatives and organisations are already using them.
Fun2Go duo bike
The Fun2Go is a tricycle tandem on which the driver and co-driver can cycle side by side. The driver can steer and has control over the brakes. With the optional shift hub, the co-driver can choose whether to cycle at the same pace, at his own pace or not cycle at all. This is a convenient option for the elderly, as it allows them to cycle at their own pace or to keep the pedals still while enjoying the surroundings and feel the wind through their hair. The Fun2Go is suitable for seniors who still like to cycle but can no longer do this independently. Read more benefits of the Fun2Go for the elderly in the article ‘Duo bike Fun2Go contributes to the care of the elderly’. Or click on the button to read more about the duo bike.
FunTrain duo bike trailer
The FunTrain is a trailer that is designed to connect behind the Fun2Go. With this trailer it is possible for an accompanying person to go cycling with three other persons. The FunTrain is easy to set up for different people and there are many options available, such as a retractable footplate and belts. With the footplate, the co-drivers do not have to cycle, but can put their feet on the footboard. Just like with the Fun2Go, the driver has control over the steering wheel and the overrun brake makes the FunTrain self-braking. The FunTrain has a foldable support wheel, which makes it easy to move the trailer as soon as it is disconnected from the Fun2Go.
OPair wheelchair bike
The OPair is a wheelchair bike that can seat a wheelchair user, or a person with reduced mobility, in the front. The seat is very comfortable and completely adjustable for the passenger. This makes the seat suitable for both children and adults for example, but the seat can also be fully adjusted for seniors so that they sit comfortably. Because the wheels at the front are slightly angled, the bike is stable and has a good ride comfort. The wheelchair bike is suitable for elderly people who have limited mobility and like to be outdoors.
It is optionally possible to disconnect the front part of the bike. If this is chosen, the seat of the passenger can be used on location as a wheelchair.
VeloPlus wheelchair bike
Just like the OPair, the VeloPlus is a wheelchair bike. On the VeloPlus, a complete wheelchair can be moved onto the platform. This allows people who depend on a wheelchair or have limited mobility to still enjoy a cycling tour in nature or (re)discover their hometown.
Because the platform can be tilted and the bicycle has the option of a winch system as one of the possible extra options, a wheelchair can be moved onto the platform without much effort. As soon as the wheelchair is standing on it, it can be secured with the wheelchair lock. The bicycle is suitable for elderly people who are not (very) mobile, but want to go out into the open air and feel the wind through their hair.
Rickshaw bike Chat
The Chat is a rickshaw bike with a cockpit in the front where two people can sit while a third person cycles. The bike is designed to let people who can't cycle independently (anymore) enjoy a nice bike ride again.
The two people in the front are sitting very comfortable because of the design and the seat cushions and they can chat with each other during the bike ride. The Chat can optionally be equipped with a canopy so that the passengers are protected from sun and rain. The driver has a good view of the passengers and the road, even when the canopy is mounted on the bike. The Chat is seen as a social transport bike of Van Raam.
Bicycle taxi for seniors
In other articles, we have written about how the Chat can be used to counter loneliness and how the Fun2Go can contribute to the care and well-being of the elderly. Read more below.
Chat against loneliness
The Chat is a suitable bike to use as a bicycle taxi to get elderly people out of loneliness and social isolation. Click on the button to read more about it.
Fun2Go for care and well-being
The Fun2Go duo bike is widely used in the healthcare for the elderly. A volunteer or employee can go outside together with an elderly person. Read more about this and about the advantages of the Fun2Go duo bike for the elderly by clicking on the button. (Photo: Leyden Academy on Vitality and Ageing, 2019)
Examples of Van Raam bicycles as bike taxis
There are various initiatives and organisations that use Van Raam bicycles as a bike taxi for the elderly. Read below examples of initiatives and organizations that use Van Raam bikes as a bicycle taxi.
Cycling Without Age on the Chat
Chat at CWACycling Without Age, or CWA, started in 2012 with the idea of allowing the elderly to cycle with rickshaw bikes again. The CWA also calls the rickshaw bicycle Chat the 'Rolls-Royce of the rickshaws'. Would you like to read more about the Chat at the CWA? Have a look at the article by clicking on the button. (Photo: CWA)
Fietsmaatjes on the Fun2Go
FietsmaatjesFietsmaatjes (cycling buddies) is an initiative in which a volunteer cycles with someone who can no longer cycle independently. In this way the elderly have pleasant contact with the volunteer and get exercise. This is important, because cycling is healthy. Read more about Fietsmaatjes in the article and click on the button.
Cycling with the elderly on the OPair
Opair taxi in the USAIn the United States, Shannon Catalano founded the organisation 'Lone Star Wheelers'. This was created because her grandmother suffered from dementia. Her grandmother always liked to go cycling, but because of the illness she couldn't anymore. Read everything in the article by clicking the button.
The OPair wheelchair bike as a bicycle taxi
OPair as a taxiIn Epe (the Netherlands), Liesbeth Snijder uses an OPair wheelchair bicycle as a bike taxi for people who are not (or no longer) able to cycle, but would like to. The idea originated when her mother, who always liked to cycle, physically and conditionally deteriorated. Click on the button and read the article. (Photo: JES-J)
Wheelchair taxi service in Finland
Taxi service in FinlandIn Finland, Jimmy Gustafson uses a VeloPlus wheelchair bicycle as a taxi service for people in wheelchairs. The people who use this service are mainly elderly people. Read all about Jimmy's initiative by clicking on the button.
Van Raam bicycles for several persons
Besides the bikes mentioned at the beginning of this article, Van Raam has more bikes in its product range that can be used by more than one person. These are the tandems. The product range of tandems consists of the Twinny, the Twinny Plus, the Kivo and the Kivo Plus.
The Twinny is a tandem in which two adults can sit one after the other. The Twinny Plus is almost the same, only this bike has two wheels at the back. The Kivo is a parent-child tandem. A child can sit in the front and an adult can sit in the back. The Kivo Plus is almost the same, only it has two wheels at the back for extra stability. The tandems can be equipped with many different options, such as a backrest support, leg fixation and foot fixation. See all possible options on the price list on the product page of the bike in question.
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