Beach mats and paths
Sailing on the water aboard a sailboat or motorboat is a pleasure for many of us. However, this leisure activity remains difficult to access for people with reduced mobility (PRM) and the disabled. PRM boat access jibs and other boarding assistance systems provide access to boats and other craft. This equipment is part of a range of solutions that are essential for the accessibility of marinas and pontoons (by the sea, river and lake). These brackets can be installed on both docks or the pontoons as well as on the boats, making it possible for people with reduced mobility and disabilities to swim in the sea.
HOW DO PATHS AND MATS IMPROVE BEACH ACCESSIBILITY?
Why is it essential to ensure that beaches are accessible?
Beach accessibility has become a real issue for many local authorities, for both social and economic reasons. So equipping a beach so that everyone can enjoy it, whatever their physical or mental abilities, has become a guarantee of inclusion. Enjoying the pleasures and benefits of the beach and sea shouldn’t just be for able-bodied people. The elderly and disabled should be able to enjoy the same experiences.
Accessibility is also an important economic issue. Accessible beaches generally attract more visitors, as their facilities are a guarantee of comfort. In this way, they broaden the diversity of tourists. This rise in visitor numbers naturally leads to an increase in demand for services: catering, accommodation and leisure activities. What’s more, accessible beaches help to reinforce the friendly image of the communities concerned.
What role do paths and beach mats play in accessibility?
Wooden walkways and mats are essential for everyone to enjoy the beach. They make it easy to access, whatever your physical ability. Sand is an obstacle for wheelchair users, parents with pushchairs or anyone who has difficulty walking on soft ground. Wooden paths and non-slip beach mats not only create a safe passageway across the sand, but also channel pedestrian traffic. This equipment not only makes mobility easier, it also brings independence and comfort to many users. Adopted by many local authorities, they reflect a growing awareness of the need to make beaches more inclusive.
What's the difference between a wooden beach walkway and a beach mat?
Wooden beach paths, like our models of PRM wooden decking with stainless steel cables or straps, are durable and attractive solutions. Thanks to the density of the wood, they offer good stability, especially for long stretches of beach access. Their design blends in naturally with the coastal environment, and their durability means they can be left in place all year round without having to be dismantled and put away at the end of the season. They are a long-term solution for local authorities wishing to offer permanent access to their beaches.
In contrast, beach mats like our PRM beach and IOP access mats offer flexibility and mobility. Easy to install, these mats unfold quickly.. Lightweight and easy to roll up, they are ideal for seasonal use or events. At the end of the summer season, they can be put away. In this way, they provide real flexibility for local authorities that do not wish to or cannot have permanent facilities.
WHAT ARE THE RULES ON BEACH ACCESSIBILITY?
Is there any legislation to make beaches more accessible?
The Disability Act of 2005 provides a precise framework for access by people with reduced mobility and disabilities to Public Access Buildings (PABs) and Facilities Open to the Public (FOPs). However, beaches are not directly affected by this law. The absence of a strict regulatory framework does not mean that beach accessibility has been neglected.. On the contrary, awareness of the need for accessible beaches has led to a number of structuring initiatives.
Faced with a lack of explicit guidelines, labels such as “Handiplage” and “Tourisme et Handicap” have been created. These labels have been created to recognise, encourage and certify the efforts of local authorities and managers who are actively working to make beaches more accessible. The existence of these labels reflects a strong desire to ensure the inclusion and comfort of all visitors.
These labels also provide disabled people with a list of accessible beaches and tourist attractions.
Why are accessibility labels essential?
In the current context, accessibility labels such as “Handiplage” and “Tourisme et Handicap” play an important role. These labels not only check compliance with established standards and rules, they are also a guarantee of quality and commitment to welcoming people with reduced mobility and disabilities. When a beach is stamped with one of these two labels, it informs potential visitors that the infrastructure and facilities have been adapted to welcome them in good conditions, whatever their physical or mental abilities.
So the benefits of these labels go beyond the purely functional. They generate a feeling of trust among visitors. Families, for example, are reassured to know that all their members, whether an elderly parent, a child in a pushchair, or a relative with a disability, will be able to enjoy the beach.
For local authorities and beach managers, adopting these labels is a decision synonymous with openness. This strengthens their image and clearly demonstrates their commitment to welcoming visitors, which naturally increases visitor loyalty.
HOW CAN WE GUARANTEE ECO-RESPONSIBLE ACCESSIBILITY?
Why choose eco-responsible accessibility solutions?
Eco-friendly materials are at the heart of our accessibility solutions. This commitment reflects our desire to combine accessibility with the preservation of natural areas. Our devices have been carefully selected to blend in with their surroundings. By choosing eco-responsible materials, we respect and preserve the biodiversity and beauty of our coasts.
How do our beach mats and paths respect the environment?
Our oceans and beaches, home to a rich and unique biodiversity, are under threat from pollution and erosion. So measures to protect them are more necessary than ever.
Our beach mats and paths have been carefully selected for their low environmental impact. It’s a balance between functionality and respect for nature. Our beach runners, made from wood, and our beach mats, made from recycled polyester, illustrate our commitment to sustainable products and to preserving natural resources. Every carpet and runner we offer is recyclable or biodegradable, reflecting our commitment to eco-responsibility.