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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She couldn’t cycle with her dementia grandmother, and that is what she got inspired to be cycling with senior citizen. Learn and read more in this article about Shannon and her new organization, what it means to her and the elderly people that, without her wouldn’t be able to cycle, feel the sun and the wind in their hair. Also get to know the OPair wheelchair bike (better).
Shannon Catalano launched a nonprofit organization in order to give bike rides to senior citizens. Her grandmother inspired her riding a bike at a young age. Later in her life, her grandma suffered from Dementia. She was not able to cycle but that was the only thing she really wanted. Here family didn’t know, at that point, that cycling with dementia is possible. Read more that topic in our article: ‘Cycling together with dementia’.
She really wanted to go out and just wanted to ride her bike! After, Shannon’s grandma had passed away she came across the project of the Portland Wheelers, the Portland Wheelers are also an organization that gives free bike rides to people that are living with significant disabilities and are not able to cycle independently. They “make it possible for people living with disability, debility, or dementia to get outdoors with the sun on their face and the wind in their hair”.
We make it possible for people living with disability, debility, or dementia to get outdoors with the sun on their face and the wind in their hair.
After Shannon heard about the Portland Wheelers she got so inspired by it that she raised money for a Van Raam OPair wheelchair bike and launched the organization, “Lone star wheelers”, a community service that offers joyful wheelchair bike rides. Now she can finally give bike rides to senior citizens.
Inspired by her grandma, giving bike rides to senior citizens is very important to her. She also said “I wasn’t able to pedal my grandma. But I’m going to be able to pedal someone else’s grandma."
Shannon continuous, and says that for them a simple bike ride can inspire a lot of memories. So, she cycles with them around the court and for those that are a little more adventurous she rides to the dog park. And if you once rode on such a bike you will never forget how it makes you feel she continues.
Watch the Video of the "Lone star wheelers" on YouTube and see Shannon Catalano cycle with senior citizens.
I wasn’t able to pedal my grandma. But I’m going to be able to pedal someone else’s grandma.
The OPair wheelchair bike by Van Raam is an adapted bike with which you can transport a wheelchair user. A seat for the wheelchair user/passenger is affixed to the front of the bike. From the back, the cyclist has a great overview on the road and passenger. The depth adjustable seat of the OPair can be set to the passenger's measurements as well as the angle adjustable back rest and expandable side rests.
The optional detachable version of makes it possible to remove the front part easily from the cycling component, which enables to use it as a wheelchair on the designated location. Read more about the OPair wheelchair bike on the product page.
In the video you just saw an OPair 2 Wheelchair bike. By now we do have the Opair 3, discover on our website the differences and how the development of the OPair over the years took place. Read more in our article 'Van Raam wheelchair bike OPair over the years'.
If you want to try the OPair wheelchair bike yourself or any other Van Raam bikes, you can make an appointment with us. Or find a Dealer close to you and make an appointment with them.
Liesbeth Snijder is using her OPair wheelchair bike from Van Raam as taxi in Epe, the Netherlands. She offers a cycling opportunity for people who are no longer able to cycle on their own anymore. Since April 2019, the OPair wheelchair bike has been used to take people from one place to another or for people who just want to take a bike ride.
A bike that you can also use as a wheelchair? This is possible with the Van Raam OPair wheelchair bike. With this bike it is possible to choose for a divisible frame, so you can turn the bike into a wheelchair. Read more about this special bike here.
A wheelchair bike is a combination of a wheelchair and a bicycle, intended for two persons in which the wheelchair user sits at the front of the bicycle and the persons sitting behind it cycles and steers. With a wheelchair bike, you can cycle together with someone who is wheelchair dependent or has difficulty walking and cannot cycle on his or her own. In this article, you will learn more about the OPair bicycle with a wheelchair in front.
The OPair wheelchair bike is suitable for people who are no longer able to ride a bike independently. It offers a combination of a wheelchair and a bicycle intended for two people, where the wheelchair user can sit in the front in a seat. The bike has been developed over the years. Therefore has unique driving characteristics in addition to its transport properties. Would you like to know what these are? Then read on with this article.
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