Cristie Blandford M&H Dutch Project Proposal 02/2010/IRENE

Elderly Infrastructure (Eindhoven)

.Mobility Issues- ‘post-bike’

.Social Aspects- Loneliness

Direction Those who can no-longer cycle. The impact this has had upon their lives. The bicycle is a huge part of Dutch culture and an inherent part of the lives of the population. Design- how can design aid this transition?- can something be done to help the people continue for longer? How do older people ‘get about’?- What are their lifestyles?

Reasoning The onset of physical deteriation of the body (strength, breathing and coordination) and the senses particularly (hearing and eyesight), as well as serious cognitive disorders such as Dementia. Will eventually lead to a person becoming less capable and dependant on others. In the Netherlands this could lead to a large lifecycle change- for a nation of people who are largely independent for their own transportational needs. I know from my own family the distress having to admit you are incapable of driving safely; admitting you’re a hazard to others and you’d be risking your own safety.

In the UK following the removal of your driving license a lot of older people then look to alternate motorised transportation that still allows for freedom. (as pictured) I question whether a person gives up cycling or driving first? - is cycling more physically demanding?

I have not come across many of these vehicles in the Netherlands when I would have guessed that whilst cycling I would be meeting them in cycle lanes. What is the key factor that would make someone decide they can are no longer fit to cycle? - could the design of the bicycle be adapted to make the activity easier- allowing them to continue for longer?

Sources Eindhoven’s active older population. Older people in care homes. Family members of older people. Observation work outdoors. Community groups. City authorities.

‘Nearly a third of all journeys made in the Netherlands are made by bicycle. Even the over 65 age group make nearly a quarter of their journeys by bicycle’

1.

‘The ageing of the population is starting relatively late in the Netherlands in comparison to other European Union countries.’, ‘As of 2010 this development will speed up, and the number of persons in the Netherlands above the age of 65 year will increase considerably. The cause of this is that the ‘Baby boom generation’ (the generation born right after the Second World War) will turn 65.’

2

1 Source- Wikipedia (2009) The Netherlands and Cycling http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cycling_in_the_Netherlands

2 Sabastian, S. (2006) The ageing population in the Netherlands; Problem or opportunity?

http://www.euroculturemaster.org/pdf/wijnholts.pdf