THERAPY Magazine
Inspiration virtual cycling
Bike Labyrinth transforms elderly care with immersive virtual cycling experiences. Residents improve fitness, boost mental well-being, and reconnect with cherished memories while exploring the world from their care facility.
Ella Keijzer
CEO and co-founder, Bike Labyrinth
How an Innovative Cycling Experience Enhances Recovery, Sparks Joy, and Connects Residents to Their Past
What do you do when you can no longer cycle independently and your world becomes increasingly smaller? Care facilities around the world have found a solution: virtual cycling. This is also the case in the Netherlands, at Warande. Albert Westhof (79) cycles every day with Bike Labyrinth through places like Lourdes, Egypt, the Grand Canyon, and the Alps.
When Gerard Haan, culture and welfare staff member, arrives at work in the morning at Warande’s Heerewegen residential location in the Netherlands, he always sees a resident in the hallway, cycling with the Bike Labyrinth under the supervision of a physiotherapist. Gerard: “Our physiotherapists use Bike Labyrinth a lot as a treatment for people who have broken a hip because walking in that case is much more taxing than cycling. There was a lady here in her late eighties who cycled every day with Bike Labyrinth after her hip operation. It really promoted her recovery, she now walks completely pain-free, even without a cane. The bike in the hall is connected to a large screen and a sound system, which makes you completely immersed in the experience. For example, if you cycle over the Wadden Islands with Bike Labyrinth, you hear the cries of the seagulls and the sound of the sea, which enhances the experience. Yes, Bike Labyrinth is worth every penny, and caregivers find it fun too. Residents show, for example, where they used to go on vacation, which leads to nice conversations.”
When Gerard Haan, culture and welfare staff member, arrives at work in the morning at Warande’s Heerewegen residential location in the Netherlands, he always sees a resident in the hallway, cycling with the Bike Labyrinth under the supervision of a physiotherapist. Gerard: “Our physiotherapists use Bike Labyrinth a lot as a treatment for people who have broken a hip because walking in that case is much more taxing than cycling. There was a lady here in her late eighties who cycled every day with Bike Labyrinth after her hip operation. It really promoted her recovery, she now walks completely pain-free, even without a cane. The bike in the hall is connected to a large screen and a sound system, which makes you completely immersed in the experience. For example, if you cycle over the Wadden Islands with Bike Labyrinth, you hear the cries of the seagulls and the sound of the sea, which enhances the experience. Yes, Bike Labyrinth is worth every penny, and caregivers find it fun too. Residents show, for example, where they used to go on vacation, which leads to nice conversations.”
Grand Canyon, pyramids, Mecca
In the afternoons, Heerewegen residents who can cycle independently are allowed to use Bike Labyrinth, Gerard says enthusiastically. “The rain is hitting the windows now, but I just saw Mr. Westhof happily cycling through Italy in the sun, right, Mr. Westhof?” Mr. Westhof – “just call me Albert” – confirms this and says he cycles daily. “Every day for half an hour after lunch, it helps with digestion. I used to travel a lot, and I enjoy revisiting all those countries. I have been to Portugal often, but now, on the bike, I see much more than when I walked through the cities, haha! While cycling, I have seen many beautiful things pass by. Recently I toured the Grand Canyon, and I recently cycled through Egypt where I saw the pyramids and sphinxes, truly beautiful. And I learn a lot too. For example, I saw many hotels in both Lourdes and Mecca recently – for the pilgrims, of course. I had never thought about that. And funny, when I once cycled through Ankara, I suddenly saw the Dutch ING bank there. Wow, that’s far from home, I thought. When I cycle, it’s like disappearing into a lifelike painting. Wonderful.”
In the afternoons, Heerewegen residents who can cycle independently are allowed to use Bike Labyrinth, Gerard says enthusiastically. “The rain is hitting the windows now, but I just saw Mr. Westhof happily cycling through Italy in the sun, right, Mr. Westhof?” Mr. Westhof – “just call me Albert” – confirms this and says he cycles daily. “Every day for half an hour after lunch, it helps with digestion. I used to travel a lot, and I enjoy revisiting all those countries. I have been to Portugal often, but now, on the bike, I see much more than when I walked through the cities, haha! While cycling, I have seen many beautiful things pass by. Recently I toured the Grand Canyon, and I recently cycled through Egypt where I saw the pyramids and sphinxes, truly beautiful. And I learn a lot too. For example, I saw many hotels in both Lourdes and Mecca recently – for the pilgrims, of course. I had never thought about that. And funny, when I once cycled through Ankara, I suddenly saw the Dutch ING bank there. Wow, that’s far from home, I thought. When I cycle, it’s like disappearing into a lifelike painting. Wonderful.”
Virtual Cycling Enhances Quality of Life:
Bike Labyrinth allows elderly residents in care facilities to experience immersive virtual tours of global destinations while cycling, improving both physical health and mental well-being. This technology not only helps with physical rehabilitation but also offers a sense of adventure and relaxation.
Win-Win
That Mr. Westhof enjoys the bike rides so much automatically ensures that his fitness remains up to par. Gerard: “Mr. Westhof uses a walker, after all, he is almost eighty, but he is very physically strong because of his daily bike rides. Good for his body and his mind. This way, he gets out and he can beautifully tell what he has seen along the way. Actually, all residents should cycle, it’s such a great device, really an asset.” But not only Mr. Westhof benefits from the bike. Gerard: “In our department, there is an 86-year-old lady who is sometimes sad because she wants to see her parents. Then I take her to the bike and choose a route through her birthplace Tiel. While cycling, the happy memories come back, and the sad, sorrowful thoughts disappear. A win-win: you make someone happy and get them moving.”
That Mr. Westhof enjoys the bike rides so much automatically ensures that his fitness remains up to par. Gerard: “Mr. Westhof uses a walker, after all, he is almost eighty, but he is very physically strong because of his daily bike rides. Good for his body and his mind. This way, he gets out and he can beautifully tell what he has seen along the way. Actually, all residents should cycle, it’s such a great device, really an asset.” But not only Mr. Westhof benefits from the bike. Gerard: “In our department, there is an 86-year-old lady who is sometimes sad because she wants to see her parents. Then I take her to the bike and choose a route through her birthplace Tiel. While cycling, the happy memories come back, and the sad, sorrowful thoughts disappear. A win-win: you make someone happy and get them moving.”
Personalized Therapy and Emotional Benefits:
The system provides personalized experiences, such as cycling through one’s hometown, which can evoke happy memories and alleviate feelings of sadness, making it a valuable tool for enhancing emotional well-being and engagement in care settings.
The world is open
Mr. Westhof is certainly very happy that Warande has a Bike Labyrinth. “I notice that my condition has really improved through cycling. The system indicates that I cover longer distances in the same amount of time. But that’s not why I do it, I do it for relaxation. By getting on that bike, I have a little vacation every day. Soon I will take a look at China. But Israel with Bethlehem and Jerusalem is also still on my list. No, I’m far from done cycling.” Bike Labyrinth is already used worldwide.
Mr. Westhof is certainly very happy that Warande has a Bike Labyrinth. “I notice that my condition has really improved through cycling. The system indicates that I cover longer distances in the same amount of time. But that’s not why I do it, I do it for relaxation. By getting on that bike, I have a little vacation every day. Soon I will take a look at China. But Israel with Bethlehem and Jerusalem is also still on my list. No, I’m far from done cycling.” Bike Labyrinth is already used worldwide.
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Ella Keijzer
CEO and co-founder, Bike Labyrinth
Ella Keijzer co-founded Bike Labyrinth in the Netherlands in 2011. During her master study Media Technology at the University of Leiden she made the first version of the virtual cycling product. After an employee of an elderly care facility saw this, she didn't hesitate to ask whether she could use the product for the elderly at her location. And so Bike Labyrinth was born. Ever since Ella has been the CEO and Bike Labyrinth can now be found in over 4000 healthcare institutions in the Netherlands and in over 20 countries worldwide.
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