The Asser Scootmobielclub feels left out by the Drentse Fiets4daagse. “The organization has canceled the 30-kilometer round,” says Ineke Heijting of the Scootmobielclub at RTV Drenthe. “It’s the only route we can travel with the scooter before our battery is empty.”
With an average of 14,000 participants, the Drentse Fiets4Daagse is the largest multi-day event for recreational cyclists in the Netherlands. On the website, the organization says that it will take “a different course” at this year’s edition. Instead of Tuesday to Friday, driving is now from Thursday to Sunday. Chairman Jan Broertjes: “A lot of people are still working during the week, even in July. By planning two cycling days in the weekend, we expect to get more people on their bikes.”
There’s already so much we can’t do
But to the disappointment of the Asser Scootmobielclub, the shortest day distance of 30 kilometers has been scrapped. “It just feels like discrimination, we are being excluded,” said club member Rinus Rijken. “Many of us are single and participating with each other for a whole week is really an outing. There is already so much we can’t do, and now this is no longer.”
“We don’t exclude anyone, including mobility scooters,” a spokesperson for the organization responds. “But we had to make choices. We noticed that the 30-kilometer route was less popular. Especially because more people ride e-bikes. They want longer routes. That’s why we are now focusing on 40, 60 and 80 kilometers. The focus goes a little more to other target groups, such as families. We also simplified the offer a bit, there was too much choice. It was also too heavy a burden in terms of volunteers, who have to set out all routes.”
Accessibility Advisory Board
The Asser Scootmobielclub does not give up and has now pinned its hopes on the Accessibility Advisory Council, which provides solicited and unsolicited advice to the province of Drenthe. The item will be on the agenda for the next board meeting of the council.
The Drentse Fiets4Daagse starts this year on July 27, registration on March 29.
