Customer experience Balance low step-through bike - Lucie Montagnier
At 42, I thought I would have to give up cycling. Today I ride again, on my own and often with my son, thanks to my Balance low step-through bike. These shared moments mean the world to me.
Rediscovering a childhood passion
My name is Lucie, I'm 42 and I live in Saint-Sylvain, near Caen. Cycling has been part of my life for a long time. Even as a little girl, I cycled a lot. I loved losing myself in the countryside or meeting my friends in the neighbouring villages. It was actually the only way we could get together.
I was born with spastic diplegia (also known as Little's disease), which mainly makes my legs stiff. As I grew older, my balance problems got worse and I fell off my bike more and more often.
Rather than throwing in the towel, I looked for alternatives. I bought an electric bike with a swan-neck frame and had stabiliser wheels fitted. But it didn't really suit my needs. I never felt completely safe on it and was always afraid of falling. Setting off was still difficult, and despite the low frame, getting on was hard for me. And because of the stabilisers, everyone could immediately see that I had balance problems. I didn't want my disability to be so visible. I wanted a bike that didn't stand out, yet allowed me to ride with peace of mind.
Unfortunately, despite all my efforts, I couldn't see how to keep cycling without putting myself in danger. So the bike stayed in the garage.
The turning point: the Vélos Days
Everything changed thanks to the Amicale des randonneurs cyclotouristes de Saint-Sylvain (ARCSS), a cycling club whose president I knew. One day, when I told him how frustrated I was that I could no longer cycle, he told me about someone who specialises in adapted bikes and sells vanRaam's custom-made bikes. He suggested I meet him at the Vélos Days.
At that event, I was able to try the vanRaam Balance. I was convinced straight away, because it looked just like a regular bike in every way. I really wanted a two-wheeler, because I wanted to be able to take it on holiday easily on my bike rack. And I didn't want people to be able to tell from my bike that I have a disability. I took a test ride in the courtyard and then had the chance to rent it for three days. I was sold!
Its big advantage is the step-through: the very low frame lets me get on without any difficulty, and when I stop I can put both feet on the ground. I do still find stopping a bit nerve-racking because of my balance. And thanks to the start assist button, I can set off without pedalling while staying stable, which gives me time to put my feet on the pedals. For me, that makes all the difference.
A bike that suits me
I received my Balance on 29 July 2025. It's light blue, just like my car and my wheelchair! In less than a year, I've already ridden almost 800 kilometres. Along the way, I've added lots of accessories. First, the electric pedal assistance, which I've had from the start and couldn't do without. Then I opted for a more comfortable saddle, wider pedals and a walking stick holder.
This year I even added a second battery, because I sometimes go on 60-kilometre rides with the ARCSS, or even on my own!
What strikes me most when I ride is how it feels. It's very close to a regular bike. In fact, I don't even think about there being a difference. I think it's perfect!
Finally cycling with my son
To my great delight, cycling has become part of my daily life again. I go for a ride whenever I get the chance. Sometimes we cycle as a family: my husband, my 10-year-old son and me. That's what I love most about my rides: being able to cycle with them.
Because of my disability, there are few things I can do alone with my son. That's why these rides are so incredibly valuable. Cycling has given us that.
A year ago, cycling with my son seemed impossible. Since I got my Balance, we ride together regularly, and that means so much to me.
In this new chapter of my life, I feel well supported. At Roulez JEUnesse Loisirs, the staff really listen. Whenever I have a question, whether it's about the pedals or the saddle, they help me find a solution. Last week I asked them to service my bike, because I'm going on holiday and taking it with me! My bike is now part of my life and my everyday routine.
Lucie - Saint-Sylvain, Calvados, France
Bike: Balance low step-through bike
Pros & cons
- Start assist to set off while keeping your balance
- Easy to get on thanks to the very low frame
- Feels exactly like a regular bike
- The weight of the bike
- The start assist is almost too powerful at maximum assistance
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