The elderly cycle a lot in the Netherlands but they are overrepresented in the accident statistics.These people show the decision makers in Vught what they think of the street design in their home town of Vught. More info: http://bicycledutch.wordpress.com/2013/10/31/elderly-people-on-a-cycle-tour
Many elderly people cycle in the Netherlands. But it is a vulnerable group. The elderly often cycle together for recreation but also for utility reasons. In Vught this group of elderly gathered for a different kind of cycle tour. The reason was a serious one:
The elderly are over-represented in the statistics of accidents and deaths. Most of the crashes do not involve motor traffic. To find possible causes, These elderly named particular situations they find dangerous. The tour, organised by the Cyclists’ Union and the Union for the Elderly, passes good and bad examples, and representatives
Of the municipality will listen to ideas for improvement. The alderman for traffic a council member and the traffic expert of the municipality cycle along. Traffic experts currently investigate the problems top-down. But this investigation started with the vulnerable road users themselves. This is valuable information for decision-makers.
And the main reason for this council member to join the ride. There were stops at points which people find dangerous, and they explained why. It was interesting to see the situations are really different from what is generally considered dangerous. Elderly are sensitive to an overload of impressions.
When traffic arrives from multiple directions the situation becomes too complex to know when it is safe to cross a street for instance. A mirror can make a huge difference, because looking over the shoulder can become harder at a certain age.
A small incline right at a traffic light, or at a railroad crossing can make it harder to start riding again. Sometimes cars do not give priority because of the way a junction was designed. Sometimes a turn was considered too sharp
And too hard to take. after the tour everybody gathered in the building of the Union for the elderly to discuss what they had seen. While enjoying a cup of coffee. The results of the investigation were presented
And the traffic expert of the municipality explained what he would do with the information. There was a question for the alderman about a very big new curb.
Currently, there are many investigations into the safety of elderly cyclists in the Netherlands. Let’s hope they give the insight to improve cycling infrastructure even further. So it is also safe enough for elderly people cycling.
19 Comments
+10 for every older cyclist with mirrors on the bike. My impressions of elderly people with mirrors are FAR better than with elderly people without mirrors.
Nice vid Mark!
I often cycle with the elderly in mind, not that I can do anything about it, it just makes me understand what the/an issue could be.
i have a honest question..and i think it is so great that the elderly ride bikes,,but if they are worried about safety..how come none where's a helmet..i also notice that hardly anyone over there in the netherlands does where a helmet..i dont get it..please explain this too me. thank you
I'm 60, and use mirrors , I found checking behind became more difficult as time went by, if you live in Australia , you can't afford to be to nervous , your a third rate citizen once your on the road, you need to have your wits about you all the time .. thanks for posting, quite interesting
There is a fundamental difference between how the Dutch try to stay safe and wearing helmets. With a helmet you try to keep the damage as low as possible *after* a fall. But it doesn't help against broken hips, knees, elbows, and you can question how much it helps against injuries to the head. The Dutch try to *prevent* the fall in the first place by good road infrastructure. That *does* prevent all the injuries I mentioned.
This would never happen in Australia, because we are backward.
Yeah, focus on helmets, what a great way to put people off cycling. In Australia when they made it compulsory to wear a helmet 30% fewer people rode bicycles.
Copy the Netherlands where cycling is safer, or copy Australia, where few people cycle and cycling is more dangerous.
Excellent public input on street design safety. The municipality that did this exercise should be commended for caring about their people.
Last year I was in Rotterdam. Riding a bicycle with Aglii visited a cousin in Rotterdam. The next day we went for a bike ride and he said to me: why assume a helmet, here in the Netherlands is unnecessary, it's safe? He laughed at me, but I ride a bicycle almost professionally and without a helmet, I can not get on the bike. In fact, rarely seen cyclists wearing helmets and the same professionals. I agree that cycling infrastructure in the Netherlands is a perfect and safe. In Poland, where I live is a big dream to feel so secure. We applaud initiatives such as depicted in the film. Bravo, the Netherlands takes care of every rider, regardless of age! Thank you for your message film and cordial greeting. Slawek.
The Dutch continue to laugh at the rest of the world.
Leuk! I wish we'd take urban design as seriously and as valuable as the Dutch do. Taking elderly people into account is absolutely fantastic! I don't know if I'll ever see that here in Canada.
I'm curious about how dutch ladies get on their bicycles stepping on one pedal while pushing with the opposite foot on the floor… I've tried but can't figure out how to do it! I need a tutorial 😅
Thank you for this video…I like it a lot…
A small curb ,would work with some large stones placed back from the Immediate edge.
Amazing initiative! It's like this, by motivating people to give their opinions and ideas of the things they use daily and pay with their taxes, that people get what they need and deserves. Well done again NL!
There may be problems with road designs, cars etc, but none of the riders was wearing a helmet. It's absolutely essential all cyclists use a helmet as it would help prevent serious head injuries.
Amazing to see older people being able to bike side by side casually 😲
I can't even do that easily, I would need to focus hard. I am young but not a really skilled biker hahaha
saya dari Indoneisa. Java. Penggemar se[eda Belanda. Pengin jadu drp ini. kapan2 bersepeda bersama
I personally think the Dutch people must be the most civilised nation on Earth. Sometimes I wish I was Dutch