In July 2019 I went to my occupational therapist to discuss a personal dilemma. My question was: How can I stay active, independent and cover longer distances without putting too much strain on my shattered femur?
I was two years and a whole collection of mobility aids into my accident recovery. I used my Rollz Motion to practice walking outside. My crutches provided support indoors. For longer distances, my friends or family pushed me in a wheelchair. Still, I felt something was missing.
I’d considered getting a mobility scooter or electric wheelchair but felt like my leg would miss out on exercise. I’d tried a three-wheeled bicycle but didn’t have the muscle power to pedal up a slope.“There must be another mobility aid to stay active and independent,” I said to my occupational therapist, “Can you think of anything?”‘
“What about a walking bike?” she asked, “It’s like a bicycle, but without pedals. You move it forwards by walking.” It reminded me of the cars in The Flintstones. “The perk of a walking bike,” she continued, “is that it allows you to exercise without having to put all your weight on your leg.”
A quick Google search revealed a variety of options. Amongst them was the Alinker, an eye-catching yellow bike. With three wheels, it offered more stability compared to the two-wheeled bikes. Perfect for someone like me with a bit of a balance problem (due to my weaker right leg).
A few weeks later I tested out an Alinker at Vierfiets, the Dutch distributor. To my relief, my test ride in- and around the shop was a huge success. I bought an Alinker soon after. Today I’ll be sharing an honest review of my Alinker based on several months use around Amsterdam.