Volunteers give less mobile people wind in their hair
Volunteers who allow less mobile people to enjoy a ride in a rickshaw or other adapted bicycle. That is Shared Cycling Fun in a nutshell. We asked one of those volunteers, Luc Gadeyne from Oud-Heverlee, why he enjoys cycling together so much.
Hey Luc, you have been leading an initiative with adapted bikes in Oud-Heverlee since 2019. What triggered you to start doing rides for less mobile people?
Years ago, I was on a city trip in Copenhagen with my wife. She works in a residential care centre and had been looking for a way to cycle with residents for some time. While walking through the city, we happened to get to know Cycling Without Age. That is an initiative where volunteers take rides with elderly people in a rickshaw. We had a chat with the founder, and the spark struck.
Back in Belgium, we decided to set up a similar initiative here. We brought together enthusiastic volunteers, collected funds and bought a rickshaw and a pillion bike. We found our first passengers in residential care centre Dijlehof in Leuven. When I started working less some time later, I decided to launch a cycling initiative in my own municipality, Oud-Heverlee, too: Everybody Wind in the Hairs. It's going well. We have just completed our fourth cycling season, built up a network of some 30 volunteer pilots in that time, and now have four adapted bicycles.
So you too are still going out as a volunteer pilot?
True. And I still enjoy it every time. After a ride, you can just see from the happy faces of passengers that cycling together gives a boost to their physical and mental well-being. I would love to accompany more rides, but running our operation takes time, of course.
Did you know...
Everyone Wind in the Hair participating in Warmest Week? And that with a film screening about volunteers and passengers on Thursday 12 December 2024 at 19h30 in the Grand Café of De Kouter in Leuven. You too can come and take a look for free!
Which people will you take on the bike?
All less mobile people are welcome. Young and old. From senior citizens to people with permanent or temporary disabilities. Moreover, all kinds of destinations are possible. We do recreational rides, for example through the forest or to the ice cream parlour, and functional rides, for example to take people to the shop, a meeting or a sports match. We also help residential care centres and other care facilities that want to take their residents on a cycling trip.
Generally, by the way, our schedule gets well filled. However, we know that there are also people who experience barriers and do not just knock on our door. Consider single senior citizens, for instance. They only come to us via a trusted person, such as a family member, carer or neighbour. So anyone can help us by approaching such a person and taking them for a rickshaw ride.
Book your ride on Gfietst.be
Ouderen, minder mobiele mensen en hun vertrouwenspersonen kunnen terecht op Gfietst.be voor het huren van een ritje op een aangepaste fiets, met of zonder piloot. Ook het fietsinitiatief Iedereen Wind in de Haren van Luc vind je daar terug.
What do those passengers think of the rides?
Our passengers are always very enthusiastic. It gives them a good feeling to get outside, get some fresh air and exercise a bit. And the social aspect of cycling together should not be underestimated either. It helps passengers maintain social contacts: with other passengers, with the pilot, with passers-by and old acquaintances they meet along the way, with friends and relatives they meet at their destination, ... In short, cycling together gives satisfaction and connects. Can it get any better?
This is indeed heartwarming. Good job. By the way, how do you see the future?
For the future, I dream of a cycling initiative in every Flemish city or municipality, so that really everyone can enjoy cycling together in his or her neighbourhood. I think such a broad offer is only possible with overarching support at the Flemish level, for example when it comes to insurance, ride planning or fundraising. That way, every initiative can concentrate on the core: pleasant cycling together with less mobile people.
A beautiful dream, Luc! Mobile 21 is your ally in this. Thank you for this interesting interview and for the insight into your operation. We wish you lots of cycling fun!
Want to know more about Shared Cycling Pleasure?
Would you like to know more about Shared Cycling Pleasure? Do you also want to start an initiative with adapted bikes, but are not sure where to start? Or would you like to get started as a volunteer pilot at an initiative in your neighbourhood?
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