BerkelBike
BerkelBike B.V. designs and manufactures adaptive tricycles and electrical stimulation systems enabling people with spinal cord injuries, MS, amputations, stroke, and Parkinson's to cycle using their own muscle power, selling to individual consumers in more than 20 countries.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2002
- HeadquartersSint Michielsgestel, Netherlands
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What BerkelBike does
BerkelBike B.V. designs, manufactures and sells adaptive recumbent tricycles and electrical-stimulation systems that enable people with disabilities—primarily those with spinal cord injuries, multiple sclerosis, lower-limb amputation, stroke with hemiplegia, Parkinson's disease, and flaccid paralysis—to cycle using their own muscle power. The company was founded by Rik Berkelmans around 2002 after securing Dutch innovation grants (Millennium Prize 2000, Herman Wijffels Innovation Prize 2002) and is headquartered in Sint-Michielsgestel, Netherlands, where it also manufactures and handles warranty service.
The product architecture centers on a combined handbike-and-recumbent-tricycle frame with mechanically linked arm and leg propulsion, supplemented by Functional Electrical Stimulation (FES) modules that activate paralyzed muscles via surface electrodes coordinated through a pedal-position sensor. The product line comprises BerkelBike Pro (luxury recumbent tricycle), BerkelBike Connect (wheelchair-attachment conversion), BerkelBike Fitness (home exercise bike), EasyLegs Pro and EasyLegs Connect (lighter tricycles), the FES system, the newer RISE Stimulator for flaccid paralysis, electric pedal assistance, and accessories including specialized pedals, handle grips, mudguards, baskets and a Wahoo Kickr Snap indoor trainer integrated with Zwift.
The company generates revenue primarily through one-time hardware sales, with pricing provided via personalized quotation following a free, no-obligation test ride; payment terms are a 50% deposit on order and 50% on receipt. Distribution combines direct sales from the Netherlands headquarters to customers in more than 20 countries with an exclusive UK dealer (ActiveLinx, Peterborough). Customer acquisition relies on condition-specific content marketing, social channels (Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, YouTube), free test rides, and expert-consultation forms. Operations are run by a small 1-10 person team including founder Rik Berkelmans, and no external venture or private-equity capital has been disclosed.
BerkelBike firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- BerkelBike
- Legal name
- BerkelBike B.V.
- Website
- https://berkelbike.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2002
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- BerkelBike B.V. designs and manufactures adaptive tricycles and electrical stimulation systems enabling people with spinal cord injuries, MS, amputations, stroke, and Parkinson's to cycle using their own muscle power, selling to individual consumers in more than 20 countries.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
BerkelBike industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Adaptive Mobility and Rehabilitation Cycling Equipment
- NAICS
- Motorcycle, Bicycle, and Parts Manufacturing (336991)
- SIC
- Motorcycles, Bicycles & Parts (3751), Electromedical & Electrotherapeutic Apparatus (3845), Orthopedic, Prosthetic & Surgical Appliances & Supplies (3842)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Sports & Active Rehabilitation Devices (Adaptive Sports Mobility, Performance Prosthetics) (HLAHAMAJ)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- E-Bikes & Electric Bicycles (CRACASAA)
Keywords
Where BerkelBike is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Sint Michielsgestel
- HQ country
- Netherlands
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices1 record
Markets served
BerkelBike business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Tricycle Sales (BerkelBike Pro, BerkelBike Connect, BerkelBike Fitness, EasyLegs Pro): One-time purchase of adaptive tricycles designed for people with disabilities. Prices vary by model and configuration. Products can be purchased direct from Netherlands or through UK dealer ActiveLinx.
- FES and RISE Stimulator Systems: Sale of Functional Electrical Stimulation systems and RISE stimulators for muscle activation. FES Box can be used standalone or combined with BerkelBike/EasyLegs products.
- Accessories (Pedals, Handles, Baskets, Mudguards, Bike Trainers): Sale of accessories and add-on components including pedals and leg supports, handle grips, bike baskets, mudguards, electric pedal assistance, and cycling trainers for indoor use.
- Test Ride and Consultation Services: Free test ride experiences to demonstrate products. Professional advice tailored to personal situation and needs. Expert consultation via forms for condition-specific recommendations.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Multi-year contract | Quote-based pricing following free test ride |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels10 records
BerkelBike product offering
Product offeringCore offering
BerkelBike designs, manufactures, and sells adaptive tricycles that combine a front handbike with a rear recumbent tricycle into a single, modular device, offered with optional Functional Electrical Stimulation (FES) technology that electrically activates the rider's leg muscles during pedaling. The product family targets people with limited leg function due to spinal cord injury, MS, amputation, stroke, Parkinson's disease, rheumatism, spina bifida, and similar conditions, and is sold both to individual end users and to rehabilitation clinics, hospitals, and physiotherapists.
Product overview
BerkelBike offers a portfolio of adaptive tricycles and electrical stimulation products enabling people with disabilities to cycle using their own muscle power. The core portfolio consists of two platform types — standalone tricycles (BerkelBike Pro, EasyLegs Pro) and wheelchair-attachment systems (BerkelBike Connect, EasyLegs Connect) — plus a stationary home trainer (BerkelBike Fitness). All models support combined arm-and-leg propulsion. Two electrical stimulation add-ons extend functionality: the FES (Functional Electrical Stimulation) system activates paralysed muscles for users with spinal cord injuries, and the RISE Stimulator directly stimulates degenerated muscles in cases of flaccid paralysis. A range of accessories covers electric pedal assistance, specialised pedals and leg supports, handle grips, bike baskets, mudguards, and a Wahoo Kickr Snap indoor bike trainer for Zwift integration.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- BerkelBike Pro: A luxury tricycle combining handbike and recumbent bicycle technology, powered by both arms and legs. Can be used as a standalone tricycle or attached to a wheelchair.
- BerkelBike Connect
- BerkelBike Fitness
- EasyLegs Pro
- EasyLegs Connect
- FES System
- RISE Stimulator
Products and services
- BerkelBike Pro
- BerkelBike Connect
- BerkelBike S (Sport) Sport tricycle with FES designed for active cyclists, positioned around sportier, higher-intensity use of the platform.
- BerkelBike Bike (Passive bike with FES) Passive bicycle trainer with FES, designed for therapy and exercise use where the rider is not actively pedaling with the legs.
- BerkelBike med Medical/clinical version of the BerkelBike platform, intended for use by hospitals, rehabilitation centers, and physiotherapist practices as a therapy device.
- BerkelBike accessories (WristFix, LegFix, Universal LegFix, SwimFin, special pedals, MountainBike handles) Modular accessories that adapt the BerkelBike platform to different user needs, including wrist and leg fixation, swimming use, special pedals, and MountainBike-style handlebars.
Quantifiable outcome
- Approximately 1,000 leg extensions and bends in 20 minutes during training
- +5 more outcomes
Companies that use BerkelBike
Customer profileNamed customers15 records
Segments6 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
BerkelBike technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration2 records
Feature5 records
BerkelBike partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Nine partnerships are on record, tiered supporting, core and primary.
- FlevobikesupportingPartner involved in development of BerkelBike and BerkelBike FES system. Contributed to technical realization of the adaptive cycling technology.
- Nijland Revalidatie TechnieksupportingRehabilitation technology partner involved in development of BerkelBike and BerkelBike FES system.
- SyntenssupportingInnovation support organization that contributed to BerkelBike development.
- JWA SystemssupportingTechnical partner involved in BerkelBike and FES system development.
- Brainquiry R&DsupportingResearch and development partner that contributed to BerkelBike and FES system development.
- Sint Maartenskliniek Rehabilitation CentrecoreClinical study conducted at Sint Maartenskliniek with 10 participants with thoracic-level spinal cord injuries over 16 weeks. First BerkelBike presented for sale at press conference at this facility in 2005.
- Radboud University Medical Center NijmegencoreMedical faculty partner in clinical study evaluating BerkelBike effects on spinal cord injury patients. Rik Berkelmans worked at university physics laboratory and studied there.
- ActiveLinxprimaryUK-exclusive dealer and channel partner for BerkelBike products. Handles test rides by appointment, sales, and customer support for UK customers. Referenced in Terms and Conditions as alternative seller.
- Wahoo Fitness (Kickr Snap)supportingWahoo Kickr Snap bike trainer adapted for BerkelBike 16-inch front wheels, enabling indoor training with Zwift and other software.
Scale indicators3 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
BerkelBike competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Van Raam: Dutch manufacturer of special-needs bicycles, including adaptive tricycles and wheelchair-cycle combinations. Highly comparable to BerkelBike on geography, product category (custom adaptive cycles for disabilities), and target end users (rehabilitation and mobility-impaired riders).
- Hase Bikes: German manufacturer of recumbent tricycles and special-needs trikes (Kettwiesel, Lepus). Comparable to BerkelBike on adaptive recumbent trike design, European manufacturing footprint, and similar target customers seeking stability and adaptability over standard bikes.
- Freedom Concepts: Canadian maker of adaptive bicycles and tricycles for children and adults with disabilities. Directly comparable to BerkelBike on adaptive cycle design, customization to user condition, and sales into rehab/clinical channels.
- Rifton: US-based Durable Medical Equipment manufacturer with an adaptive tricycle product line sold into rehab and special-education channels. Comparable to BerkelBike in DME positioning, clinical-channel sales, and adaptive cycling for disabilities.
- Sun Bicycles: US manufacturer of adult tricycles including special-needs and semi-recumbent models. Comparable to BerkelBike on adaptive tricycle hardware and stability-focused design, though with a broader commercial/non-medical go-to-market.
- Restorative Therapies: US manufacturer of the RT300 FES cycling ergometer used in clinical and home rehabilitation for SCI and stroke. Directly comparable to BerkelBike's FES-enabled cycling proposition, though focused on stationary clinical/home use rather than outdoor cycling.
- Hasomed: German maker of the RehaMove FES cycling system used in rehabilitation research and clinics. Comparable to BerkelBike on the FES technology axis (functional electrical stimulation integrated with cycling), with overlap in clinical/research customer segments.
Emerging players
- Catrike: US manufacturer of recumbent tadpole trikes focused on sport and recreation rather than rehabilitation. Adjacent peer to BerkelBike on recumbent tricycle mechanics, with overlapping engineering but a different (able-bodied enthusiast) buyer.
Broad incumbents
- Sunrise Medical: Global manufacturer of mobility and rehabilitation equipment including wheelchairs and adaptive cycles. Comparable to BerkelBike as a broader DME incumbent overlapping in adaptive mobility, but with a much wider product portfolio and distribution.
- Invacare: Global DME manufacturer of wheelchairs, seating, and rehabilitation products. Comparable to BerkelBike as an incumbent in rehabilitation mobility devices, though operating at much larger scale across many categories.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
BerkelBike social profiles
Digital presenceBerkelBike financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
BerkelBike leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
BerkelBike funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
BerkelBike M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about BerkelBike
What does BerkelBike do?
BerkelBike designs, manufactures, and sells adaptive tricycles that combine a front handbike with a rear recumbent tricycle into a single, modular device, offered with optional Functional Electrical Stimulation (FES) technology that electrically activates the rider's leg muscles during pedaling. The product family targets people with limited leg function due to spinal cord injury, MS, amputation, stroke, Parkinson's disease, rheumatism, spina bifida, and similar conditions, and is sold both to individual end users and to rehabilitation clinics, hospitals, and physiotherapists.
Is BerkelBike a public or private company?
BerkelBike is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was BerkelBike founded?
BerkelBike was founded in 2002. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is BerkelBike based?
BerkelBike is headquartered in Sint Michielsgestel, Netherlands, in the Europe region.
How does BerkelBike make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Tricycle Sales (BerkelBike Pro, BerkelBike Connect, BerkelBike Fitness, EasyLegs Pro) is the primary driver. The others are FES and RISE Stimulator Systems, accessories (Pedals, Handles, Baskets, Mudguards, Bike Trainers) and test Ride and Consultation Services.
Who are BerkelBike's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Van Raam, Hase Bikes, Freedom Concepts, Rifton, Sun Bicycles, Restorative Therapies and Hasomed. Catrike is listed as an emerging player. Broad incumbents are Sunrise Medical and Invacare.
Does BerkelBike have an API?
No public API is recorded for BerkelBike.
What industry is BerkelBike in?
BerkelBike's product category is Adaptive Mobility and Rehabilitation Cycling Equipment. Its primary akta.pro industry code is HLAHAMAJ, Sports & Active Rehabilitation Devices (Adaptive Sports Mobility, Performance Prosthetics), with a secondary code of CRACASAA, E-Bikes & Electric Bicycles. Its NAICS code is 336991 and its SIC code is 3751.