Johnny Beer Timms – SCI – Tetraplegia (C4 / C5)

”In 2011, I had a trampoline accident after a failed backward somersault. The result was a complete transverse lesion, so I could no longer move my arms and legs. After leaving the hospital, I could move parts of my arms a little more. My hands do not work properly anymore and this causes me many problems.

My interest in training my muscles through electrical stimulation led me to the BerkelBike. It is an amazing bike that allows me to cycle again, using the muscles both in my arms and legs. The electrical stimulation allows my paralyzed muscles to work. I can’t move my legs, this is true, but this technology keeps me fit. I have even built up new muscle tissue! Personally, I believe that staying fit is extremely important for patients with a spinal cord injury.”

Lisa Green – Multiple Sclerosis

Lisa Green has been a fanatic athlete for years until she was diagnosed with MS in 1998. Training, and eventually even walking, became very difficult for her.

“Obviously I was overjoyed when I could move again, especially because I knew it was my own body causing the movement! Of course, my legs become tired after a few miles, but then my arms can take over. I can now bike more than 20 miles through Colorado’s beautiful autumn landscape. Before the BerkelBike, I had never even “walked” my dog. Now I can bike alongside and I enjoy every second of it, to say the least! I enjoy cycling every day with the BerkelBike, I love it.”

Rik Berkelmans – CEO and inventor of the BerkelBike

Rik is the inventor of the BerkelBike. He studied Exercise Physiology at the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam and Chemistry (toxicology) at Radboud University Nijmegen. After graduating, he worked for the University of Nijmegen at a natural science laboratory. Privately, he looked for ways to keep people with transverse lesions fit and healthy.

“Berkelbike’s mission is to ensure that disabled people in a wheelchair can stay healthy and fit. Our bikes can provide a solution to this challenge. It is possible for people with disabilities to bike by activating and stimulating the body’s own muscles regardless of their disability. This means it is possible to increase the person’s fitness and have a positive effect on their health.”

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