Chronicle
The Samaritan Association has started the pilot project “Radln together” to offer senior citizens more mobility. Volunteers chauffeur people with restricted mobility on rickshaws through Vienna and make trips into nature possible.
Carefree movement is no longer a matter of course for people of advanced age. The residents of the senior citizens’ shared flats of the Samaritan Association are brought from A to B as part of the “Gemeinsam Radln” project. With two electric rickshaws from the Vienna Samaritan Association, senior citizens should be able to experience mobility again in a sustainable way.
If the project continues to grow, the offer could perhaps also be used by other senior citizens, says Georg Widerin from the Samaritan Association. The rickshaw drivers have been in action since June. “People are very happy that they can get out of their everyday lives and perceive their surroundings differently than they are used to,” explained Widerin.
Feeling of freedom on the rickshaws
The rickshaws were specially made and have two seats in the front area and barrier-free entry. For hot days, the vehicles are also equipped with a fold-out sunroof. The seniors are picked up by rickshaws by volunteers and go on excursions into nature or to the water. The routes are discussed with the rickshaw drivers.
“Of course, you can also go out for an ice cream, eat something or drink something on a route,” explained Widerin. It is also important that the seniors can feel the wind and experience the feeling of cycling again. It is about giving people with restricted mobility a feeling of freedom again. The senior citizens should also be able to experience urbanity up close in this way.
volunteers wanted
According to Widerin, the expansion of the “Gemeinsam Radln” project is a question of costs and personnel. The rickshaws are expensive devices, but a great purchase for the elderly.
As a first step towards expansion, the Samaritan Association is looking for more volunteer rickshaw drivers. Above all, people who have a lot of empathy for older people and like to be physically active are suitable for the task, the broadcast said. All volunteers then receive training in driving rickshaws.