About ten years ago, community nurse Tekla Zwinkels came up with the idea of Bike buddies. In her daily work in Teylingen, she saw how much need there is among people with a disability to go outside, exercise and socialise once in a while. And she managed to gather enough enthusiasts to help her make this possible. From Bike buddies Teylingen came Bike buddies Nederland, which now has more than 35 local organisations.
Last autumn, a number of committed people in Walcheren took the initiative to set up Bike buddies Walcheren.
Objective of the foundation
Making it possible for people who can no longer cycle independently or no longer want to do so, to do so together with a volunteer (bike buddy) on a duo-bicycle with electrical pedalling assistance. The foundation has no profit motive. The directors receive no remuneration for their work for the foundation. However, volunteers and directors are entitled to reimbursement of expenses incurred for the Foundation in the performance of their duties.
Description of project content
Bike buddies are guests and volunteers who make regular bicycle trips together on a duo-bike. The guests are people with disabilities in movement, hearing, sight or cognition. This is a large group (about 12% of the Dutch population) consisting of blind, hearing-impaired, disabled, elderly and people with dementia. They get exercise, meaningful contacts and meaningful outdoor activities through Bike buddies. It also breaches their loneliness in many cases. About 80% of the guests live at home, in many cases assisted by informal carers. Bike buddies give these carers a few hours to themselves. They also focus on volunteers, being vital and socially aware people who are looking for a healthy, sociable and meaningful spare time activity.
The careful pairing of regular cycling buddies who regularly go out with each other creates a reliable contact. A number of such initiatives have already been started in other parts of the Netherlands under the organisation of www.fietsmaatjes.nl. With the 10 years of experience gained there, Bike buddies Walcheren wants to take a first step in the province of Zeeland to shape this in a similar way.
The activities of Bike buddies Walcheren are made possible thanks to a financial contribution from Familiefonds Hurgronje.