Special needs bicycles as a bicycle taxi for the elderly

News

Special needs bicycles as a bicycle taxi for the elderly

Bikes \ Transport bikes
vanRaam
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 bicycles as a bicycle taxi for the elderly

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.

Fun2Go duo bike

Van Raam Fun2Go duo bike as bicycle taxi for the elderly
Van Raam FunTrain duo bike trailer as bicycle taxi for the elderly

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.

FunTrain trailer

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. The footrests can be completely folded to the side, making it even easier for the passenger to take a seat.

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.

OPair wheelchair bike

Van Raam OPair wheelchair bike as bicycle taxi for the elderly
Van Raam VeloPlus wheelchair bike as bicycle taxi for the elderly

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.

VeloPlus wheelchair bike

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.

Read more about the Chat rickshaw

Van Raam Chat as bicycle taxi for the elderly

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.

Van Raam Fun2Go duo bike for care and well-being

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)

Fun2Go for care and well-being

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.

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.

Van Raam logo
Written by
vanRaam

Recommended articles

Van Raam adapted bikes in magazine for elderly people

Van Raam adapted bikes in magazine for elderly people

Sometimes it is no longer possible to cycle on a two-wheeler, for example because of a certain disability or because you are no longer stable enough and are afraid of falling. But if you have been inside for a long time, nothing is better than going outside again and riding around in nature, especially in sunny weather. The elderly organisation KBO-PCOB dedicates an article in its magazine to cycling on adapted bikes to show what possibilities there are to keep moving when cycling on a normal bike is no longer possible.

midi tricycle cycling independently with limited mobility van raam

Bike for people with limited mobility

Van Raam is manufacturer of unique special needs bikes and has several bikes in its range that are bikes for people with limited mobility who can no longer cycle on a regular bike. Read more about these special bikes here, read user experiences and view photos.

Which bicycles are suitable for healthcare institutions?

Which bicycles are suitable for healthcare institutions?

There are several bicycles suitable for healthcare institutions to take a bike ride with their residents or patients. Find out which Van Raam bicycles these are in this article.

OPair wheelchair bike Van Raam bike taxi

Van Raam OPair wheelchair bike used as taxi

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.

Do you have any questions?

We are happy to assist you! Please check our contact page or contact us directly using the options below.