Colloquia

Summary

The elderly—individuals aged 65 and above—are considered the fastest-growing segment of the population in the Netherlands. The population of the Netherlands is aging, and it is expected that the population over the age of 65 will increase to 26% by 2050. Mobility problems increase with age, including a decrease in physical strength, flexibility, and balance, leading to mobility problems. With these issues, people may feel insecure on a bike, with elderly cyclists having the highest observed risk of getting involved in a bike accident. A tricycle could prevent these incidents, but there is low acceptance due to stigma. People fear becoming dependent on these devices and being viewed as incompetent. Therefore, they only start to adapt to a tricycle when absolutely necessary. Often, insecurities and fear are already present. To prevent this and help the elderly stay independent for longer, it is beneficial to adapt to a tricycle earlier in the mobility decline due to aging.

This project presents the design process and proposal for a non-stigmatizing tricycle designed for young and intermediate elderly individuals (65-75 years) for the bicycle company Van Raam. With the influence of the formative years of the targeted age-group and the present trends, a three-wheel cargo bike has been designed to address the problem of stigma, helping people stay confident and safe in their mobility and independence.