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Volunteers provide free rides for senior citizens
The town of Griesheim has officially taken delivery of its new rickshaw. On Friday, February 13th, the vehicle was handed over at Fahrrad XXL Franz, together with donors. The project is based at the Senior Citizens' Office and is expected to start in April.
Initially, the rickshaw will be available to residents of Griesheim's senior care facilities and day care guests. Plans are in place to eventually extend the service to residents with limited mobility who still live in their own homes.
Funded through donations
The acquisition costs of around 12,000 euros were financed by donations from Sparkasse Darmstadt, a private donor, the company Friedrich Friedrich Umzüge, KS Büromöbel and by funds from the city of Griesheim.
So far, five volunteers have been recruited as drivers.
Excursions on safe routes
Trained volunteers offer free, approximately one-hour excursions in and around Griesheim. These excursions take place on safe, low-traffic routes. The service is solely for recreational purposes and does not include transportation to medical appointments or shopping trips.
Two passengers can be taken on each trip. The starting and ending points are the same.
The service is organized in close coordination with the participating institutions and generally takes place on fixed days of the week. The exact times are determined by the needs of the institutions and the current weather conditions. The institutions handle internal advertising, register suitable passengers, and designate specific contact persons for scheduling. They also assist with boarding and disembarking, as well as with passenger preparation.
Safety is our top priority
The volunteer drivers commit to responsible handling of passengers and the vehicle. Special bicycle training is mandatory before their first assignment. The rickshaw may not be driven without this training.
Passengers are required to wear seatbelts, and helmets are provided. The rickshaw is checked for roadworthiness before each ride and serviced annually by a specialist dealer.
(GRIESHEIM – RED/PSG)
Featured image: City of Griesheim
