An upcoming seniors workshop at Burnaby Public Library aims to offer an inventive approach to staying active for those with limited mobility.
The Bridge for Health workshop, Importance of Staying Active as We Age, will introduce Dutch designer Barbara Alinker’s walking-bicycle, the Alinker, designed for people facing mobility challenges due to age or disability. Alinker will speak about the difference between established mobility aids that do not facilitate physical activity, and the Alinker walking-bike.
“There’s a tsunami of aging baby boomers in a health care system that isn’t very compatible,” Alinker said. “I will ask them, in 10 years, where do you want to be? Do you want to rely on a system that isn’t compatible to you, or do you want to do what you want?”
Alinker said she would be discussing the motivation behind creating the Alinker bike, not advertising it for purchase.
“I designed the Alinker for the user who feels dismissed by traditional mobility devices, like the wheelchair,” she said.
Unlike wheelchairs, the Alinker’s seat aligns the user at eye level so they can maintain eye contact in conversations while pushing along their bike to increase physical activity.
“I’ve had people tell me, missing a leg is not the problem – it’s when people treat me as if I’ve also lost my mind that I can’t control,” she said.
Alinker hopes the workshop will help lessen social stigma towards those who require mobility aids.
The Importance of Staying Active as We Age event will take place April 4, 6:30 to 8pm at Burnaby Public Library’s Bob Prittie Metrotown branch. Space is limited, visit bpl.bc.ca/events or call 604-436-5400 to register.
