Cycling: for many, it means freedom. But not everything about cycling is rosy. Participating in traffic is dangerous. Every year, hundreds of cyclists are killed. Especially elderly people, often with an e-bike, are at risk. Many Dutch companies are therefore working on innovative solutions. With these, the elderly can continue to enjoy a bike ride on Sunday.
Why this is important:
Cycling is healthy, but also dangerous. More and more people are participating in traffic in the Netherlands. Innovations ensure safety.
Converting bicycles into tricycles
Many elderly people have had a bicycle for a long time. But falls have made it too dangerous to leave home with them. Nijmegen startup Tworby has come up with a cost-effective solution: an innovative module that converts standard bicycles into tricycles, especially for the elderly. Recent funding from the Gelderland Innovation and Energy Fund will support the company’s expansion and product development.
Fall detection system
Joris Koops from Assen wants to ensure that people, young and old, continue to get on their bikes with peace of mind and founded Bypoint. The company has marketed a fall detection system attached to the bicycle. This automatically engages assistance when needed.
He previously explained to Innovation Origins how it works: “Our system can see when someone falls through sensor technology and software. Should it come to that, a speaker will indicate, ‘It looks like you have fallen. If you are not able to press the button within a minute then help is automatically called. A cyclist has entered 3 contacts into the system in advance. One minute after someone falls down, a text message is sent to person one. If this person does not respond, then person two is called and then person three. When someone responds to the text message, that person is shown a map with GPS coordinates so they know exactly where to go. Our system then notifies the fallen person that help is on the way.”
Virtual cycling through the neighborhood
Sometimes participating in traffic simply proves too dangerous for the elderly. But, nowadays, residents in care facilities can also take a bicycle tour of their neighborhood at home, virtually. This can be done in two ways: with a screen or with virtual reality (VR) glasses. Bicycle Labyrinth, for example, allows residents to take truthful bicycle tours. The screen displaying the routes is linked to an exercise bike or other exercise equipment. When the cyclist stops pedaling, the route on the screen also stops. Elderly people can continue to enjoy cycling through their own neighborhood or take a trip to a faraway country.
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