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Antwerp Charity Seeks 100 Volunteers for Rickshaw Service for Less Mobile

From VRT NWS · () Dutch

Translated from Dutch, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Context piece
  • A non-profit organization in Antwerp, Belgium, is seeking 100 additional volunteers to operate rickshaws for less mobile individuals.
  • The organization, RiksjaRijden, is overwhelmed by demand and currently has a waiting list for its services.
  • Volunteers provide rides to residents of care homes, visually impaired individuals, and people with disabilities, aiming to bring them joy and a connection to the outside world.

The Antwerp-based non-profit RiksjaRijden is urgently seeking 100 more volunteers to help operate its fleet of adapted electric bicycles, known as rickshaws. The organization, which provides transportation for less mobile individuals, has been inundated with requests and is struggling to meet the demand.

We are overwhelmed by the number of requests and cannot keep up.

— Luc De RoomsLuc De Rooms, founder of RiksjaRijden, explained the organization's need for more volunteers.

"We are overwhelmed by the number of requests and cannot keep up," stated Luc De Rooms, a volunteer and founder of RiksjaRijden. The organization currently has about 100 volunteers and 30 adapted bicycles, including rickshaws, wheelchair bikes, and duo bikes. Despite this, they are forced to turn away many potential passengers due to a lack of available riders.

RiksjaRijden aims to provide a "window to the world" for residents of nursing homes, the blind and visually impaired, and individuals with disabilities. The service allows them to venture beyond their immediate surroundings and reconnect with their communities. "Making people happy is what it's all about," De Rooms emphasized.

Making people happy is what it's all about.

— Luc De RoomsDe Rooms described the primary motivation behind the RiksjaRijden initiative.

Volunteers are required to cycle once or twice a month for two to three hours per ride. The electric assistance makes the special, heavier bikes manageable. The organization offers training sessions at various locations in Antwerp to allow potential volunteers to test the different bike models and find one that suits them.

Our fuel is the appreciation we receive.

— Luc De RoomsDe Rooms spoke about the personal satisfaction volunteers gain from the program.

Beyond cycling, RiksjaRijden is also looking for volunteers to assist with social media management, sponsor outreach, and bicycle maintenance. The core mission, however, remains centered on the joy and fulfillment derived from providing these essential rides. "Our fuel is the appreciation we receive," De Rooms added, highlighting the profound impact the service has on both the passengers and the volunteers.

The only requirement is that you like cycling.

— Luc De RoomsDe Rooms outlined the basic qualifications for becoming a rickshaw volunteer.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by VRT NWS in Dutch. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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