The impeller as an alternative
WALKING AID FOR SENIORS
…my story:
sollso®
“When I’m on the move,
my life makes much more sense.”
Here is my story:
My name is Albrecht and I am 85 years old. You can recognize me by my much-noticed slouch hat. My radius is no longer large. It’s limited to my neighborhood, the Schanzenviertel. I have developed an alternative walking aid for senior citizens. “Self-determined, for a lifetime – because freedom knows no age” has been my motto ever since!
sollso®
“Are the distances getting longer, or am I moving more slowly?”
Like all people who get older, I notice my limitations more and more. I can no longer keep my balance so well and I’m becoming increasingly unsteady when cycling. I’ve also fallen a few times. Not badly, but still. My legs are getting heavier, my circulation is getting worse and I’ve stopped going to the tango. I still do my own errands and visits to the doctor. However, I’m finding it increasingly difficult to walk to my favorite café, where I often meet friends.
sollso®
“Active and self-determined lifestyle – or:
Things that are fun, just do them!”
When I wanted to have my bike converted into a “walking aid for seniors”, I was initially amazed and smiled at. The old bike mechanic was irritated and even refused to remove the drive pedals, he didn’t understand why. Fortunately, his son immediately understood what I was up to and turned my bike into a balance bike for adults. I was super happy with my new acquisition.
sollso®
“An eventful adventure begins.”
People in the neighborhood already know me. I repeat myself: I am 85 years old and now ride around on a balance bike. The reactions to my appearance are varied. The first appropriate and heartfelt shout comes from a small child:
“Mommy, mommy look, an adult on a balance bike!”
Not entirely unimpressed, I continue to ride, no – walk. I have named the next shout with friends in the café the shortest dialog in the world:
“Broken or should it be like this?”
“Should it be like this!” I reply as I rush past, without getting to see the brilliant creator.
sollso®
“A truly new attitude to life.”
With my balance bike, I am connected to the earth with both feet. The (increasingly weakening) body finds support by sitting on the saddle and leaning on the handlebars. This strengthens my muscles and stimulates my breathing. And your feet are also challenged. Not hard, rather light. This has a massage effect. The whole body contributes to stability. The doctor advises exercise even in old age. I am highly motivated. Pedestrians, when they’re not rushing to the office, have a leisurely way of moving through the world. As the person on the balance bike moves between pedestrians, they basically behave like a pedestrian. That’s why the balance bike doesn’t have a bell – no one is supposed to move aside. It doesn’t have lights either, I haven’t seen any illuminated pedestrians yet. I’m not out for speed. I’m in control of my movements, I stand when I want to and I don’t need to be afraid of tipping over. When I go for a walk on a Sunday, my companion sets the pace and not me, with my 85-year-old, slow legs. The longer I do my errands in the neighborhood on my running bike, the more I like the reduced speed, which I adapt to the pedestrian, or accelerate with relish when going downhill.
sollso®
The Highway Code!
I finally get to talk to the police. I’ve been waiting for this the whole time. “Hello,” it shouts behind me, “stop a minute!” … “You’re driving on the sidewalk, says the officer. “I know that,” I reply. “You’re not allowed to,” he says. Now I pull my trump card out of my pocket with relish. “But you know the highway code, Mr. Constable”. “Of course I know them!” he exclaims. “That should tell you that I belong on the sidewalk.” He is puzzled: “I didn’t look properly, sorry, right, you have a wheel, it looks good on you, and I wish you…” he hesitates, what should he say, have a good ride, good walking? Anyway, he laughs and wishes me all the best.
sollso®
“Shout out!”
However, because of my appearance, I am often confronted with less pleasant reactions: “You’ve lost your chain” or “Buy yourself some new pedals”. I have to put up with being ridiculed with my helpful vehicle.
I realize that society’s assessment of this form of transportation is exclusively focused on its use by small children. This is not surprising and is obvious. After all, adult-sized balance bikes are not yet on the market. For the adult world, the use of a balance bike is therefore an absolute novelty.
sollso®
“Enjoy life.”
I can move around at a relaxed pace in my old age and make completely new discoveries. It’s really nice to be able to move around like this, and it’s hard to believe that I enjoy this movement and life.
I hand it to anyone who looks at my wheel. The lightness is amazing. Nobody expects such a featherweight. I take it in one hand and walk it up the subway stairs.
It doesn’t even affect my ability to walk.
The first, feather-light sollso®prototype – as the wheel will be called from now on – has already been replaced by my self-made one. The new one is made of carbon, named after the mocking comment: “Kaputt oder soll so? At the time, I replied to the shouter: “It’s meant to be”!
Dear Mr. Schnitzer Junior and Senior,
After months of lying down with rheumatic and fat knees, I discovered your bike and received it yesterday. Until 1 ½ years ago, I was a very sporty recumbent tricycle rider throughout Germany, until an eye condition prevented me from riding on the roads. So I had to go without my beloved exercise and suffered as a result. But today I set off on a short, easy tour for the first time, despite my knees, and I am absolutely thrilled. Despite my big, fat knees, I was able to roll and make progress. Now I have hope again! Thank you very much for your invention and development of this sollso. It saves my self-esteem. I wish you continued joy in movement and good health.
E.Schindler
PS: I have changed the handles for my rheumatic wrists. Maybe that’s a tip for you, depending on your customers.
Dear Mr. Schnitzer,
The balance bike is sooooooo brilliant. A great joy and new additional mobility!
MfG R. Krug
Hello,
Ieke has just come back from 2 1/2 hours of forest bike dog walking. The bike is great!
Kind regards from Felde
I’ve been meaning to report for some time now:
Lothar and I go off with the balance bike and his sticks and then we take turns.
I’ve really learned to love the balance bike and tell all my neighbors and friends about it (many of them are as old as me).
Great amazement – that’s unheard of in Charlottenburg…
Lothar is very careful, but he tries it again and again. It’s really great!
We have a son, Álvaro, who is 8 years old, with Down syndrome.
I just wanted to let you know that our son Álvaro has been riding your balance bike since this September and it’s going really well.
It’s helping us a lot. He rides his bike to school every day here in Valencia.
Albrecht Schnitzer has a message:
Movement is participation in life
“Society expects older people to be immobile. The purpose of life is to move, whether physically or mentally, it doesn’t matter…the main thing is to keep moving.”
sollso® connects.
