Menu
Search
Our bikes
Customer experience VeloPlus wheelchair bike – Nursing home
As the Activities and Quality of Life at Work Manager at the Marguerite de Flandre nursing home in Nieppe (59), I purchased a VeloPlus wheelchair bike to improve the individual support provided to its residents.
A new wheelchair bike at the Nieppe nursing home
"My name is Fiona Pezin. I have been Head of Activities and Quality of Life at Work (QLW) at the Marguerite de Flandre nursing home in Nieppe for a year. Before that, I worked in Lettré, where I had already set up a project to purchase a VeloPlus wheelchair bike in response to a call from the Fondation des Hôpitaux de France, an association that aims to improve life in hospitals and retirement homes. The Nieppe nursing home had already purchased a Fun2Go (side-by-side tandem) about ten years ago."
Promoting inclusion and diversifying activities
"With the arrival of new management two years ago, we wanted to open up the nursing home to the outside world and promote inclusion. 80% of our residents are wheelchair users and have mobility issues. Some are able to transfer, but many are not. The VeloPlus wheelchair bike, with its platform, allows us to take non-transferable residents out and vary their activities (restaurants, events, etc.)."
First trial during a charity race
"I had heard about the 'Smile Run', a charity race, and I wanted to take a resident to participate. Pushing a wheelchair manually is complicated, so I called on my colleagues at the 'Groupement Médico-Social du Grand Lille', a group of around thirty public nursing homes. One nursing home lent us their VeloPlus to try out. I liked it so much that I contacted the retailer Roulez JEUnesse Loisirs to buy one for our nursing home in March 2025. "
Joy among residents, staff and their families
"Residents are amazed and delighted to be able to go out and participate in activities as before, with the VeloPlus wheelchair bike. It gives them back a sense of freedom and normality.
The staff are also enthusiastic. Some staff members are even testing the VeloPlus bike themselves to better understand how it works. However, there is some apprehension about mastering the equipment (anchor points, safety). I have planned a training session to reassure them and show them how to use the VeloPlus bike properly.
The families are very satisfied. They see it as an opportunity to share moments with their loved ones. I am going to make a video to explain how to attach the wheelchair and show how easy it is to use."
The VeloPlus bike creates special moments with residents.
Many moments to share on vanRaam bikes
"We use our bikes regularly, depending on the weather. In July, we took part in an inter-care home challenge to see who could clock up the most kilometres. We also used them for events such as:
'L’Élégance Automobile' event : Presentation of the bike and participation in the event
Tour de France : We took residents to the Tour stage, decorated the bicycle for a flower bike competition... and we won! The residents even got to wear the Tour jersey.
'Pink October' : We will participate in the Colour Run with a resident."
Upcoming projects
"We want to enable families to take their loved ones on outings or to restaurants. Local councillors have also tried out the bikes and want to promote their use. And, of course, we will continue to participate in outdoor activities to enrich the lives of residents."
A final word
"The VeloPlus has transformed our approach to activities: it allows us to create special moments with residents, strengthen bonds between staff and residents, and restore independence to those who had lost it. It's an inclusive, fun and rewarding tool for everyone!"
Fiona Pezin
Bike : VeloPlus wheelchair bike
Pros & Cons
- Easy to operate
- Fun moments every day
- Strengthens bonds between staff and residents
- Training required for staff to use independently
