How Rickshaws could bring people in the community together

by Barbara Kuntze

Rickshaw? Bicycle? Being driven around in your area? The driver is a volunteer, and the rider has limited mobility? Yes, all possible in Germany, and today I heard all about it and want to see it happen in Erfurt.

Today I attended the talk `RIKSCHA FAHREN ALS ATTRAKTIVE ENGAGEMENTFORM GEGEN EINSAMKEIT` ( Rickshaw riding as an alternative social interaction against loneliness). Interesting how one (called the pilot) could drive around people in a rickshaw, so that the guest/fare could enjoy some time outside with the wind blowing  through their hair, taking in their neighborhood or riding through a park. 

Erfurt has a project called AGATHE, which is to help people, especially older people deal with loneliness. However,the big problem is how to reach these people.  Therefore, when I saw this session posted in the Deutsche Seniorentag schedule of events, I thought this might be something that could be introduced in Erfurt. Jena, a smaller city also in Thuringia just gotten their group off the ground this year.  We could visit them in the upcoming months to see how they implemented the idea in their city.

In the session today, we heard about this movement (Bewegung),  and I was really enthused to learn more.   This really called for community efforts at different levels, and often senior volunteers being ‚pilots‘ themselves.  If you are interested in getting a rickshaw in your area, then you need to consider costs (8000€ + for a rickshaw), insurance, place to garage the rickshaw, training for the pilots, maintenance, and coordination/matching of the pilot to the guest.   The target rider group is actually people with limited mobility; however, as time has shown, these guests have enjoyed being driven as part of a carneval parade, to the church to get married  or just taking a ride through the park or forest.  Sometimes just enjoying the silence of the moment is enough.    It is a very communicative and social activity with interactions between the pilot, the rider and passersby.

Organizers and pilots from Munich, Celle and Warendorf were forthcoming with their experiences in their areas re start-up organization and financing.  The umbrella organization RADELN OHNE ALTER (RoA) / Cycling without Age was founded in 2012 in Denmark, and is in 39 countries to date; they have been in Germany since 2015 (Berlin) with over 150 locations at the present time.  Many of the RoA groups are connected to Seniorenbüros (Senior Offices) in their respective areas. 

Why could this rickshaw idea be of interest?  Having lived in Erfurt for over 30 years, I am aware of the loneliness factor not only with older people, but more so in all age groups due to corona.  According to statistics, one out of 10 people in Germany feel lonely.  I find that shocking, because then again, you  can see it is not an age thing.  In addition, 50% of the 80+ age group have limited mobility.  Therefore, this rickshaw transport would be very welcome, and a win-win in a community for young and old.

Who are the pilots? Anyone who is in good shape.  Yes, it helps that the rickshaw is actually an e-bike!  (This piece of information was related at the end of the session.)  Many of the pilots are 60+, often have never done any volunteering before, but young and old can enjoy this new kind of transport and interaction.   

All in all, I was excited to take a ride on this rickshaw, which still do tomorrow here at the Seniorentag.  Irmgard, another Erfurt Senior Advisory Council member and I both went to this session and are both super enthused to present this information at the next advisory meeting. We want to get in touch with Jena and get their input.  If you and/your community have a chance to participate, then go to the links below. Good luck!  Good riding!

For more information: Radeln ohne Alter          Cycling without Age