Bicycle rickshaws in test operation: facilities and pilots wanted

The "Rediscover cycling TOGETHER" project was launched in the Waldeck-Frankenberg district on 7 May. During the 2025 cycling season, two bicycle rickshaws will be made available free of charge on a trial basis to enable cycling mobility for older people and people with limited mobility. The rickshaws will be used in various facilities and locations in the district. The vehicles are driven by volunteer drivers.

First District Councillor Karl-Friedrich Frese is enthusiastic about the project and says: "It's not just the expansion of cycling that's important to us, but above all participation, and the bicycle rickshaws are an ideal way to combine the two." The project enables people with disabilities and older people to get out and about by bike - an important factor in expanding everyday mobility. With its local mobility coordinators, the district is happy to act as an intermediary to support the offer and thus greater participation. According to Frese, he is particularly pleased that the state of Hesse has provided Waldeck-Frankenberg with two rickshaws for use until the end of October.

Knut John accepted the district's thanks on behalf of the state of Hesse for the fact that the project can now be implemented in Waldeck-Frankenberg. John has been the State Commissioner for Rural Areas at the Ministry of Economic Affairs, Energy, Transport, Housing and Rural Areas since August 2024 and is responsible for promoting everyday and local mobility, among other things. "In urban areas, i.e. in our cities, bicycle rickshaws have long been part of everyday transport, but they are likely to become even more established in rural areas," explains John. It was therefore a matter of course for the Ministry of Economic Affairs to bring the project to North Hesse with start-up funding of 120,000 euros.

Until the end of June, one rickshaw each will be used at the "Haus Ederaue" retirement home in Edertal-Giflitz and the "Am Laupark" residential and care park in Bad Wildungen. From July to the end of October, the rickshaws can be allocated to other facilities. The local mobility coordinators will help with transporting and instructing the future volunteer drivers. These must be activated by the facilities, as the rickshaws should be used as often as possible with guests. All volunteers naturally receive training so that they can drive the rickshaw safely.

Eligible institutions include senior citizens' and care facilities as well as senior citizens' meeting places or senior citizens' offices; clubs, district and family centres as well as interested organisations or volunteer groups can also take part in the project. They are all united by the goal of wanting to give people with limited mobility joy and a breath of fresh air in their hair. If you are interested, please contact local mobility coordinator Martha Schweizer by 20 June 2025 on 05631 954-2153 or by email. Further information can be found here.

Caption: State Representative Knut John (right), First District Councillor Karl-Friedrich Frese (6th from left), Managing Director Nathalie Chirchietti of the coordinating association "Cycling without Old Age" (centre, rickshaw rider), Edertal's Mayor Frederik Westmeier (4th from left) and the "Am Laupark" residential and care park in Bad Wildungen are delighted with the launch of the project.), Managing Director Nathalie Chirchietti of the coordinating association "Cycling without age" (centre, rickshaw driver), Edertal Mayor Frederik Westmeier (4th from left), local mobility coordinators Martha Schweizer (3rd from left) and Nicole Sude (7th from right) as well as the motivated employees and volunteers of the two facilities. (Photo: District of Waldeck-Frankenberg)

Keywords:

Cycling without age Model region Accessibility Inclusion Cycling in Waldeck-Frankenberg