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E-rickshaw puts a smile on the faces of seniors in Ettlingen!
The “Radelzeit” project in Ettlingen brings seniors into the city with e-rickshaws and promotes their mobility and joy in everyday life.
E-rickshaw puts a smile on the faces of seniors in Ettlingen!
In Ettlingen, an innovative project called “Radelzeit” not only puts a smile on the faces of seniors, but also brings a breath of fresh air to their mobility. The program is specifically aimed at residents of the Stephanus-Stift retirement homes on Robberg and Stadtgarten whose mobility is limited. The first e-rickshaw ride took place in Horbachpark at the end of May and is now offered several days a week. This reports bnn.de.
The e-rickshaw is equipped with strong parking brakes, sun and rain protection and allows easy entry. Once a week, Martin Kissel, the initiator of the project and former head of the Karlsruhe civil engineering department, offers two-hour trips through Ettlingen. The reaction from seniors is consistently positive: many enjoy the excursions, which not only explore their neighborhood but also strengthen their community.
A project with heart and mind
The e-rickshaw has a purchase price of around 12,000 euros, almost half of which was financed through donations. Further help comes from the parishes in Ettlingen, the town itself and a local shoe shop. Mirjana Bulut, the nursing manager at Stephanus-Stift, has experienced the residents' anticipation and is enthusiastic about the excursions, which could also be expanded to other retirement homes in the region. How diakonie-laka.de reports that the project has well-filled waiting lists - a sign that the need is great.
“Ride through the city in an e-rickshaw” – this simple but secret longing is fulfilled again by many seniors. An example of this is the 91-year-old Ms. H., who can no longer stroll through the city alone, and the 86-year-old Mr. P., who would like to visit his old street. Both are severely limited by declining mobility, and the e-rickshaw now offers the opportunity to pursue their personal desires, such as johanniter.de reported.
A possibility for the future
The e-rickshaw tours are not only intended for the fun of seniors, they also promote health through exercise in the fresh air and remind passengers of previous experiences. These experiences stimulate cognition and bring joy, peace and balance to everyday life. Diakonie Ettlingen is still looking for donors and 2-3 volunteer rickshaw drivers. Anyone interested can contact Beate Rashedi on 07243 5495-0 or by email at ettlingen@diakonie-laka.de.
It becomes clear that the e-rickshaw is more than just a means of transportation; it is a vehicle of hope and joy of life for many seniors in Ettlingen.