2 km rickshaw ride against loneliness of older people in Germany

Small steps that make a difference: Practical experience shows that rickshaw trips and friendly conversations are not only enjoyable – they can also help to keep the mind and spirit healthy, thereby potentially preventing the onset of dementia. Many passengers report that the trips take their minds off things, give them new inspiration, and strengthen their sense of participation. This is all the more important given that many older people often experience the opposite: walking can become more difficult, they may feel less safe riding a bike, or they may have to give up their driver's license. This can severely restrict their mobility, independence, and sense of community. Over 6 million people in Germany are aged 80 and older (Statistisches Bundesamt 2023) and in many cases affected by immobility. Many of the approximately 7.8 million people with severe disabilities, regardless of age, are also limited in their mobility ((Statistisches Bundesamt 2022). Barrier-free opportunities for participation are particularly lacking in rural areas. The consequences: withdrawal, less joy in life, and loneliness. The elderly, people living alone, and people with mobility or sensory impairments are particularly affected by loneliness (Malteser 2024). Loneliness is now considered a health risk with proven consequences: it increases the risk of depression, cardiovascular disease, dementia, and the need for long-term care (BMFSFJ 2023; Livingston et al. 2024). But this good deed is encouraging: it is enabling 20 new locations for rickshaw services in Germany. This allows older people and those with limited mobility to participate in society again – with the wind in their hair, smiling faces and a sympathetic ear at their side. For many, it is a piece of joie de vivre that they can share with their families.