Intelligent bicycle for elderly cyclists

Cycling is already so well established in the Netherlands, that the country can afford to fine tune its provision for cyclists; the government has developed an intelligent bicycle to make two-wheeled travel safer for the elderly.

By 2030, the Netherlands aims to reduce the number of traffic casualties on its roads by 25%, a goal that will save saves many lives and an estimated 2.5 billion euros each year. Last year, 184 cyclists died in the country, of which 67 per cent were older than 65, according to the Centrals Statistics Office (CBS).

Developed for the government by the Netherlands Organisation for Applied Scientific Research (TNO) to help reduce this figure, the electrically-assisted intelligent bicycle borrows technology already being used in cars.

Intelligent bicycle for elderly cyclists

The design recognises that older cyclists may have impaired vision and be more easily startled by other, faster moving, cyclists. A radar and rear-facing camera scan the area around the bike and when they detect an obstacles and vehicle, cause the bicycle’s saddle and handlebars to vibrate slightly. A tablet mounted on the handlebars flashes if another cyclist is about to overtake.

The bicycle is still at a prototype stage, but a commercially-available version is expected to be on the market within next two years for between 1,800 and 3,200 euros.

Dutch minister for Infrastructure and Environment Schultz van Haegen said of the bike: “It is important that people continue cycling, even when we are older. The smart solutions that are presented can help older people to stay safely in traffic.”

For more inforamtion visit the TNO website

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