Legislation, application and differences
With a wheelchair ramp, a wheelchair passenger can easily be driven into a vehicle. But which ramp is best suited for your situation? To what should you pay attention while finding a wheelchair ramp? In this blog we explain the differences, how to apply the ramps and the legislation.
Table of contents
A wheelchair ramp on a vehicle must comply with certain legislation, which may differ per country. For example, the angle of the slope in Spain should be no more than 16.7 degrees and in France no more than 14 degrees. The smaller the angle, the easier it is to drive into a wheelchair passenger. B-Style therefore maintains an angle of 11 degrees for the ramp. Another rule that is mandatory in many countries is an anti-skid mat on the ramp, such as in Sweden, Germany and Spain, among others. In France and England there is additional legislation, where it is expected that there is a yellow marking around the anti-slip mat on the ramp. There must be a raised edge on both sides of the ramp in several countries and the height differs per country, for example 30 mm in the Netherlands and 50 mm in Sweden. This raised edge must be marked in Germany. There are also different rules per country about the weight that the ramp must be able to handle. In France, the ramp must be able to handle a minimum of 300 kilograms of load and in Germany 360 kilograms. Legislation may be subject to change, rules mentioned above may no longer be accurate.
A wheelchair ramp is ideal for professional use, you can provide extra service and comfort to the wheelchair passenger. He or she does not have to leave the wheelchair, the driver can easily roll the wheelchair into the car. Naturally, the wheelchair must be safely secured in the car with retractors, which are supplied with the complete conversion kit. Take a look at the different solutions for a wheelchair taxi here.
A vehicle is wheelchair accessible thanks to a ramp. A vehicle for 1 wheelchair passenger is a wheelchair or disabled car. These wheelchair accessible vehicles usually have a lowered floor at the back, with a ramp that hinges inwards so that the ramp can come along when the vehicle is moving.
A city bus that is used in public transport can also be wheelchair accessible. The ramp is often on the side near the sliding doors. The floor of the city bus must be lowered, so that the angle of the slope is not too steep. The lowered chassis can be supplied by B-Style as a complete conversion package to conversion companies. View the differences here:
If the floor of the vehicle cannot be lowered, such as with a taxibus, a lift is preferred. The floor is simply too high for a ramp. If a wheelchair ramp is used when the floor is too high, the angle of the ramp is too steep and it is difficult to push the wheelchair passenger inside. The steeper the slope, the harder it is for the driver or passenger to get into the vehicle. A wheelchair lift offers a solution and can be attached to the wheelchair van. The wheelchair passenger first rides the wheelchair lift, which is horizontal on the ground. The lift then goes up at the push of a button, while the ramp remains horizontal. To be able to drive the wheelchair taxi van, the lift can be positioned vertically in the van, just like with a wheelchair ramp.
A ramp on a vehicle is ideal for passengers who are in a wheelchair due to a handicap. After all, they can remain in their wheelchair, which makes boarding a car much more comfortable. Another pro is that the wheelchair does not have to be stored separately, which of course saves space. A anti-skid mat ensures that you cannot slip so easily, even when it is wet outside.
A mobility scooter is a lot heavier than a normal wheelchair because of the battery pack and engine. To ensure that you can drive into a vehicle with a mobility scooter, the ramp must be reinforced. This has been achieved thanks to a thicker bottom, raised edges, a stronger frame or a different choice of material. As a result, the weight that the ramp can handle can reach well above 300 kilograms. With all those reinforcements, the scooter ramp can become heavier and therefore more difficult to handle. Fortunately, B-Style's research & development department has found a solution for this!
An ideal way to save weight is an aluminum ramp. This metal is super strong and has a low weight, which makes it easier to operate. Another solution to make the ramp lighter is a woven composite of aluminum and plastic. Thanks to a smart construction and composition, these ramps are very strong and very light.
Light operation of the ramp for the disabled is essential for drivers who transport disabled passengers several times a day. After all, it should not be a fitness exercise. The same applies to people who no longer have sufficient strength themselves, such as the elderly. That is why B-Style Mobility Solutions came up with an other clever idea. We have developed a gas spring that makes the operating of the ramp a lot lighter and easier!
Sometimes it is too heavy to drive a wheelchair passenger up the ramp. B-Style Mobility Solutions offers a winch for this situation. This winch consists of a belt strap, motor and a hook to retract the wheelchair into the wheelchair-accessible vehicle. The raised edges on the wheelchair ramp ensure that the wheelchair passenger cannot fall off the ramp. Please note, this winch is not available on all models.
There are different types of car ramps that B-Style Mobility Solutions offers, but always as part of a complete conversion kit to build a wheelchair accessible vehicle.
These ramps are suitable for a wheelchair car for 1 person and are mounted on the rear of the vehicle. These ramps are part of the complete B-Active package.
The standard ramp is the original. It is strong and easy to operate. Each B-Style wheelchair ramp has a standing edge on the left and right, so that the wheelchair user can never fall off the ramp. This standing edge has a striking red / white marking, so that people cannot trip over it quickly. The ramp has a anti-skid mat, which has striking yellow edges, a logo and the weight which the ramp can handle (300 - 350 kg).
The ramp with "folding tip" is the same as the "standard ramp", with one very important difference. The last section of the ramp can be folded over so that the driver can use the rear view mirror. In the vertical position of the ramp, while driving, the standard ramp blocks the view to the rear and the folding tip prevents this. When the ramp is not in use, it is locked vertical in the car.
The taxi ramp is also intended for a wheelchair car that is accessible from the rear. The taxi ramp can be folded inwards completely for more luggage space. If the taxi ramp is not used, it is laid horizontally in the car. This makes the rear of the vehicle accessible and you can store luggage on the ramp, making the vehicle more flexible to use.
The taxi Pop-up ramp is also intended for a wheelchair accessible vehicle from the rear. The taxi ramp can be completely folded inwards for more luggage space. When the taxi ramp is not in use, it is placed horizontally in the car. This makes the rear of the vehicle accessible and allows you to store luggage on the ramp, making the vehicle more flexible in use. The extremely light standard taxi pop-up ramp rises automatically when folded. This ensures that the ramp can be operated effortlessly and with very little force. This allows anyone to operate the pop-up ramp.
In addition to conversion kits for wheelchair cars, we also supply conversion kits for city buses. This means a lowered chassis in the middle of an extended Mercedes-Benz Sprinter. We also supply a ramp, which is accessible from the side for the wheelchair passenger. The ramp is processed in the bottom and is therefore always horizontal. For more information, visit the B-Moved page
If you have questions about a wheelchair ramp or if you want advice on which ramp to choose, we are happy to help. Contact us at support@b-style.eu or +31(0)88 8 638200.
In house R&D + testing facilities
Inventor of the wheelchair car in 1973
Quick installation, without welding
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