Cycling with Huntington’s disease

The Huntington's disease affects certain parts of the brain, causing severe mental and motor problems and mental deterioration. As a result, it can be dangerous or even impossible to (independently) take part in traffic. Van Raam makes adapted bicycles so that people with a disability or people who are no longer able to take part in traffic independently can use the bicycle together with a guide.

What's Huntington?

Huntington's disease is a hereditary, progressive brain disorder that involves serious motor, psychological and mental problems. It is a gradually increasing process in which the symptoms become more serious. In everyday life, people have less and less self-esteem and become dependent on help and care. In the Netherlands, approximately 1,700 people suffer from this disorder. (Source: Hersenstichting - Brain Foundation)


Unfortunately, there is no cure or delay of the disease at the moment and the treatment is aimed at improving the quality of life and minimizing the symptoms. Various care providers are involved, such as the neurologist, physiotherapist, speech therapist, dietician and psychologist or psychiatrist. (Source: Hersenstichting - Brain Foundation)
 
Do you want to know more about Huntington's disease? Visit the dutch Brain Hersenstichting website.


Moving with Huntington

Because of the disease people have more and more trouble with walking and their balance. As soon as the disease is diagnosed, people are trained with the balance and walking so that the independence is maintained for as long as possible. This can be done inside as well as outside. (Source: Huntingtonplein)
Cycling with Huntington's disease

Cycling with Huntington

Cycling is very important for many people. It gives a feeling of freedom and independence to the cyclist and it gives the opportunity to be outside.
 
Please note: whether it is possible for someone with Huntington's disease to ride a bicycle varies from person to person!

Van Raam produces customised bicycles. The range consists of tricycles, tandems, duo bikes, wheelchair bicycles, transport bicycles, walking aids and the comfort bike Balance. With the Fun2Go duo bike, it can be an opportunity for someone with Huntington to ride together with his or her companion. In this way they can get out together, ride in nature in, through the city or the village and get some fresh air. The Fun2Go duo bike is available with many different options, such as a footplate, direction indicator and belts so that the bike can be adapted to the needs of the user.

The driver can steer and brake. The optional freewheel shifting system has three positions, giving the passenger or co-driver three options:

1. The passenger cycles at the same speed as the driver.
2. The passenger cycles independently of the driver and can ride along at his own pace.
3. The pedals move freely and the co-driver cannot ride along.
 
Want to know more about this bike? Read everything on the product page of the Fun2Go duo bike.
 

Fun2Go duo bike

Duo bike for Huntington's disease patients in healthcare facilities

There are a number of health care institutions that use the pigeon bike to cycle with Huntington's patients. Below you can read more about the duo bike at Huntington's expertise centre Topaz and about a duo bike that was donated to Stichting Land van Horne:

Fun2Go duo bike for Huntington patients Topaz
Source: Topaz

Duofiets for Topaz healthcare institution

Healthcare institution Topaz, located in Overduin, Katwijk, is the Huntington expertise centre in the Netherlands. There is a duo-bike for the patients so that they can cycle together with a companion or a family member. If the patients are tired, the supervisor can take over the pedals. These bikes can be used to make trips to the beach, the dunes or the village. In the spring of 2019 a duo bike has been added. This duo bike has been donated by the Van der Sar foundation and the Oranjevereniging van Katwijk. (Source: Topaz)

 

Van Raam Fun2Go duo bike for Huntington patients
Source: De Limburger. Photo: Greep naar de Hoorn

Duo bike donated to Huntington’s patients

In the autumn of 2019, a duo bicycle was donated to the department for Huntington's disease patients at Stichting Land van Horne. The organisation calls the bicycle 'a great addition'. It gives an enormous feeling of freedom, independence and self-esteem'.
 
Read more about this in the article 'Fun2Go duo bikes for several health care organisations'.

Fun2Go for health care organisations
'The duo bike gives an enormous feeling of freedom, independence and self-esteem.’

Transport bicycles at Van Raam

In addition to the duo bikes the Fun2Go, Van Raam also produces transport bikes that can be used to transport people. These are the wheelchair bikes OPair and VeloPlus, the rickshaw bike Chat and the FunTrain duo bike trailer. Read more about these bikes below.

Transport bike OPair wheelchair bike Van Raam

OPair wheelchair bike

With the OPair it is possible to transport someone who is in a wheelchair. If this bicycle is fitted with a divisible frame, the wheelchair section can be disconnected from the rest of the bicycle.
 

OPair wheelchair bike
Transport bike VeloPlus wheelchair bike Van Raam

VeloPlus wheelchair bike

On the VeloPlus transport bike, a wheelchair can be placed on the tilting platform at the front. The wheelchair user can remain seated in his own wheelchair and is transported by the rider of the bicycle.
 

VeloPlus wheelchair bike
Van Raam transport bike rickshaw Chat

Rickshaw bike Chat

The Chat is a rickshaw bike where one person and two passengers can sit in front of the bike. The bike is meant to ride together with adults and/or children who are no longer able to participate independently in traffic or for recreational use.

Rickshaw bike Chat
duo bike trailer FunTrain Van Raam

Duo bike trailer FunTrain

The FunTrain is a trailer that can be connected to a Fun2Go duo bike. On the Fun2Go a hitch is mounted to which the FunTrain can be attached. In this way, one attendant with four passengers can go on the road.

FunTrain duo bike trailer
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