De Overstap, part of Philadelphia, is a residential location in Heemstede for people with a moderate intellectual disability. It sits right on the high street, easy to find and very much part of the neighbourhood. All 22 residents have their own apartment with a living room, bedroom, kitchen, shower, toilet, and a terrace or balcony. But if you feel like being around people, there's plenty going on. There are two beautifully renovated communal living rooms, and a hot meal is cooked on every floor. On your way up to the first floor for dinner, you walk straight past their Bike Labyrinth. So even when no group activities are planned, anyone can hop on and ride whenever they feel like it.

Cycling at De Overstap

Bike Labyrinth has been at the location for years, and the residents know exactly where to find it. We noticed that the moment we arrived to pay them a visit. Before we'd barely stepped inside, two ladies were already ready to cycle together. One settled in behind Bike Labyrinth and started pedalling with great enthusiasm. The other waited patiently on the chair beside it. Well, patiently... it wasn't long before she asked if she could have a turn too. And so they took turns: one cycling, the other watching, then the other way around. It takes a little patience to share, but it's so much more fun together. They chatted non-stop throughout, about the route, about family, the dentist, and how happy they are to live at De Overstap.

Where many cyclists have strong opinions about where they want to ride, these two didn't mind at all: every route is a good one. And discovering something new never gets old. Together we cycled through Morocco, along the canals of Amsterdam, played a round of "Guess the city", and finished with a route through the trees.

The biggest fan makes his entrance

Just as we were about to leave, we were stopped: the biggest cycling fan at De Overstap had just arrived. De Overstap is one of the care locations in the Netherlands where Bike Labyrinth is used most, and he is a big part of why. When we told him that De Overstap cycled the second most out of all of our cyclists in the Netherlands, he immediately broke into a little dance. And honestly? That says more than any statistic could. He gets people moving, literally and figuratively.

Moving with joy, every day

With years of happy cycling and the infectious energy of their residents, De Overstap shows just how valuable daily movement is, also, and perhaps especially, for people with an intellectual disability.

Want to get started with Bike Labyrinth at your care location? Get in touch to find out about the possibilities.