Van Raam produces uniquely special needs bicycles and specializes in tricycles, transport bikes, scooterbikes, wheelchair bikes, tandem bikes, double rider bikes, and low step trough bikes (also known as comfortbikes). Each model is also available as an electric bike (Pedelec).
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Theo and Meinte cycle together on a Van Raam Fun2Go duo bike. They are Fietsmaatjes (translation: Bike Buddies) and they can cycle together thanks to the Postcode Loterij Buurtfonds (a fund of a Dutch national lottery). Read more about the two Fietsmaatjes with their duo bike and about the fund 'Buurtfonds' here.
For a year now, Fietsmaatjes volunteer Theo and guest Meinte have been making bike rides together on a duo bike through the hills of Montferland (in the Netherlands) every two or three weeks. Meinte says in an interview with the Postcode Loterij: "If you have a Fietsmaatje, you are still getting somewhere. It's very important for people to be able to get out too, and I think that's really important about Fietsmaatjes."
Fietsmaatjes is aimed at anyone who likes to get outside, stay active and enjoys social contact, but cannot cycle independently due to a disability. Together, the guest and volunteer take bike rides on the duo bike. Meinte can no longer cycle by himself, but would like to be able to keep active.
Meinte and Theo are a good match, they have even developed a friendship and look forward to the bicycle trips. Meinte says: "It means a lot. Cosiness, getting out of the house for a while, a bit of silly banter now and then, a bit of adventure by bike. Wonderful."
In the Postcode Loterij Buurtfonds video (in Dutch!)Â below, Theo and Meinte talk more about their bicycle rides on the duo bike.
If you have a Fietsmaatje, you are still getting somewhere. It's very important for people to be able to get out too, and I think that's really important about Fietsmaatjes.
Theo and Meinte cycle together on the Van Raam Fun2Go duo bike. The Fun2Go duo bike is a three-wheel tandem where you sit next to each other. One person controls the bike, the other can pedal along. Meinte says: "My feet are secured, I have a belt, and I have my own gears so I can pedal along with Theo at my own pace." The duo bike also has a stick holder and a mirror.
In addition, Theo and Meinte's duo bike has pedal support. People with a disability and/or a lesser condition can benefit a lot from a bicycle with pedal support. Cycling requires less effort with an electric motor.
The Postcode Loterij Buurtfonds was set up to provide financial support to community projects. Organisations and initiatives throughout the Netherlands can apply for a contribution of up to €5,000.
Initiatives, such as Fietsmaatjes, benefit greatly from sponsors. Thanks to sponsors (including the Postcode Loterij Buurtfonds), Fietsmaatjes Montferland was able to purchase a second duo bike by the end of 2021.
The entire interview (in Dutch!) with Theo and Meinte can be found on the Postcode Loterijwebsite.Â
You can read more about the Fietsmaatjes on our website. Check out some articles below:
Le jeudi 28 novembre 2019, le roi Willem-Alexander des Pays-Bas a rendu visite à la fondation 'Fietsmaatjes' à Warmond, aux Pays-Bas. Lors de cette visite surprise, le roi a rencontré les bénévoles et les invités de Fietsmaatjes et a fait un tour sur un tandem côte-à -côte Fun2Go de Van Raam.
Fietsmaatjes; in English bicycle mates, is a foundation where a volunteer and a guest, make wonderful cycling trips together on a side by side tandem​ with electric pedal support. The guests Fietsmaatjes can no longer cycle independently; thanks to Fietsmaatjes this is possible again! Together they have nice contact with eachother and they enjoy the surroundings while they keep on moving healthily.
Ronald Ruesink, commercial director of Van Raam and avid Feyenoord supporter, introduced Fietsmaatjes to the Feyenoord Business Club (FBC). Together with Rob Kent (chairman Fietsmaatjes Schiedam) he tells his story in the magazine of the FBC.
Because Henk de Jonge (86) from Eindhoven can no longer cycle independently, he cycles together with a 'bike buddy' on a Van Raam Fun2Go side by side bike. Thanks to the side by side bike Henk has more mobility and freedom. Henk cycles with the project 'Fietsmaatjes Nuenen' ('bike buddies' Nuenen), which officially kicked off in April 2021. Read more about Henk, the Fietsmaatjes and the Fun2Go here.
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