vrijdag 29 maart 2024

Older people often can not cope with an electric bike.

ouderen op elektrische fietsElectric bikes are very popular, especially among the elderly. But they do not always know how to deal with it, and that can have disastrous consequences.

In 2015, received relatively many elderly an accident with their electric bike or scooter. Disturbing, but how is that?

Surprised by the speed?
Cycling Instructor Bernard Heijsman of the Fietsersbond calls the development logical because: “Older people are often surprised by the speed of electric bicycles.”

“Many elderly couples wait too long with the purchase of an electric bike, because they are well able to cycle with a normal bicycle,” says Heijsman, which helps elderly people with the switch to electric bikes. “But if they get an electric bicycle, they do not know what is possible with the new e-bike.”

Gears
E-bikes have gears for example, usually, but get in the store people do not explain how they work. “The bicycle seller often briefly explain what’s sitting on a bike, but there are so many features that no one can remember at one time.”

“And that’s difficult because the gears on an electric bike really works the same as a car. With a car you can not go in his five through a residential area. These are really things you need to learn with an electric bike. We help people to be in control of their bikes, and not vice versa, “says Heijsman.

Slower cycling
By helping the elderly, Heijsman prepare them for traffic. “We teach people to cycle more slowly, take turns and we train them to respond quickly. We also help them with things like getting on and off, which is mainly in unexpected situations sometimes wrong.”

Then they jump for example of the bicycle and hit the pedals with their ankles. “But it is difficult to learn someone that steps off a cycle for 30 years in a different way. That’s tough,” said Heijsman.

Wearing a helmet.
And a helmet duty? “It makes no sense to require it. There are a number of seniors that ar not going to cycle anymore if they have to wear a helmet, and that’s not good. But of course it is safer to ride with a helmet.”

Heijsman also gives a tip to the elderly safe to go on the road. “To prevent accidents, it is very important that people continue to cycle regularly to keep them well acquainted with the traffic and the bike itself. We see that the elderly who do, have far fewer problems down the road.”