27 replies to this topic

[Bjorn Jurcka: BerkelBike BV]

Hello, everybody.

With pleasure I would like to introduce to you our invention.

The BerkelBike, makes it possible for people with limitation, among others people with SCI, to ride a bike, using their arms and legs. The BerkelBike is a hybrid between a handbike and a recumbent bike and has been specially developed for people, who are dependent of a wheelchair. The BerkelBike is a unique bike because:

1) The movement of the legs and arms is combined
2) The muscles of the legs can be controlled by a software program that is installed in a small box on the bike. This enables people without any control over their leg muscles, as in spinal cord injuries, to train their legs and arms simultaneously and have a total body workout while biking in the open air

You can imagine that there are numerous of positive effects as a result of training with the BerkelBike:
· Increase of muscle mass in the legs
· Decrease of muscle spasms
· Increase of blood circulation in the legs improving tissue repair and lowering the risk of decubitus ulcers
· Prevention of diabetics and cardiovascular diseases
· Improved hormone levels resulting in an improved immune system and a higher energy level
· Growth of bone cells reducing the risk of fractures
· Improved mobility of the joints
· Improved digestion
· Improved quality of life, feeling fit

For more information you can contact me or look at our website www.BerkelBike.com.



Kind regards,

Bjorn Jurcka

ent]

[Tim13]

I gather this thing (one model) just hooks onto a normal chair?
That's pretty d*mn cool!

[silone74]

I have one of these http://www.teamhybri...coyoteShim7.htm
its 1 of the best things i have bought.
mine hooks up to a normal chair using a docking tube and quick release clamp.



Silone74

Edited by silone74, 03 January 2008 - 10:44 PM.

[Lucydog]

mmmm looks great, how much did you say it costs?

[Bjorn Jurcka: BerkelBike BV]

The BerkelBike Classic can be hooked onto a normal wheelchair, but is not a normal hand-cycle!

You drive the bike using your arms and legs. By means of Functional Electrical Stimulation your paralyzed legs can actively contribute to the drive.

Greetings,

Bjorn

Edited by Bjorn Jurcka: BerkelBike BV, 04 January 2008 - 03:38 PM.

[Lucydog]

Having looked at the website I dont see any mention of cost. So how much is a basic set up then?
thanks
L

[Bjorn Jurcka: BerkelBike BV]

Dear Lucydog,

Thank you for your interest.
I assume, you are living in the UK. For prices, I would like to refer you to our UK distributor Exerfes: rogfitz@hotmail.co.uk


Bjorn

[Bjorn Jurcka: BerkelBike BV]

Dear Tim13,

I like to explain some more.

There are 3 models of the BerkelBike (BB) (in order of the 3 pictures):
- BB Classic, which hooks onto a normal chair.

- BB Home, which is designed for people with impaired hand-function or who are in an electric wheelchair.

- BB Pro has a wide wheelbase, which makes it a safe and stable tricycle.


All BerkelBikes can be equipped with the "Impuls"-system. Impulse reactivates paralyzed leg muscles, by means of Functional Electrical Stimulation.

Bjorn

[kewlcatkez]

Hello all,

I found a link on you tube, which explains the berkelbike better for me at least:
Berkerlbike- Classic

I hope its of use,


Take care,

K

[Mikerowaved]

Thanks for the YouTube link. If you click on More From: BerkelBikeEnglish on the right, you'll see a few more clips.

BTW, as far as cost goes, I'm not sure your first born will quite cover the down payment.

[Bjorn Jurcka: BerkelBike BV]

Hello everybody,

Since last month we do have a distributor in the United Kingdom:

Cyclone Mobility & Fitness
www.cyclonemobility.com

So for a testdrive and prices you can contact them.

[Apparelyzed]

So.......

How much does it retail for?

Simon

[Lucydog]

Apparelyzed, on Dec 5 2008, 04:00 PM, said:

So.......

How much does it retail for?

Simon

Cyclone dont show any prices on their website for anything. But I see they are doing 'magic wheels' as well

[russ1]

So how safe it it to just plug in and go with FES? - I thought it was something that needed to be done under medical supervision

[carole338]

Did I miss the post on cost?

[longhaul]

Is this one of those if you have to ask you can't afford it things?

[edlee]

If they won't tell you the cost upfront,,, it's usually prohibitive. Sound like a great setup, tho.

I'm curious about the FES outside a clinical setting, also. I guess you can buy them for use in the home,,,,, but on the street,,,????
ed

[Bjorn Jurcka: BerkelBike BV]

edlee, on Dec 6 2008, 11:30 PM, said:

If they won't tell you the cost upfront,,, it's usually prohibitive. Sound like a great setup, tho.

I'm curious about the FES outside a clinical setting, also. I guess you can buy them for use in the home,,,,, but on the street,,,????
ed

On our website you can see that it is possible to cycle outside (depending on the height of the SCI) Click here.

russ1, on Dec 6 2008, 01:21 PM, said:

So how safe it it to just plug in and go with FES? - I thought it was something that needed to be done under medical supervision

You don't just plug in. We will first explain how to operate the Impulsbox and try it out together. It is actually easy to use, cause all the difficult things are coordinated by our electronics.

For prices in the UK, I have to refer you to our distributor Cyclone Mobility.

For prices outside the UK, you can contact us directly, cause it depends on many things.

[edlee]

As of two minutes ago Cyclone,, at your link,, has no mention of your machine on it's site.

I love the idea,, particularly the FES part. BUT, what's the problem with getting a price online???? Why do we have to talk with someone, in person, to get a figure???

I'm sure there is a good reason, so if you won't give a price,, how about an excuse, at least??
ed

[Bjorn Jurcka: BerkelBike BV]

Dear Ed and others,



Recently we signed the contract with Cyclone Mobility.


At the moment their are busy with the preparation for a proper market introduction.


We do not want to interfere their preparations.



Bjorn

[edlee]

Thank you Bjorn,,, you would be amazed at how often the above questions are ignored by those promoting products,,,, even ones as exceptional as yours sounds.

I appreciate your response.

I can understand why you have chosen to market your device in the UK before the US,,, as we seem to have an array of often conflicting regulations, here, that seem to stifle creative inventiveness,,, or , at least,, the marketing of the fruits of that inventiveness.

I wish you luck, and hope to see your product introduced here,, soon.
ed

[Bjorn Jurcka: BerkelBike BV]

Dear Ed & other US citizens,

We are in conversation with an American company for selling the BerkelBike in the US.

Until now no contract has been signed, so I have to ask for some patience.


Bjorn

[edlee]

Trust me, Bjorn,,, Being in a chair teaches nothing if not patience.
ed

[Jax]

This appears to be a GREAT thing, but it will most likely end up like most other things here in the US-another thing that no insurance company will help pay for, and Medicare won't even help pay for, and state rehab services won't approve payment for. So I hate to be the bearer of sad news, but for those who could actually benefit from this, it will most likely be just another thing we get told is unnecessary, and "unsafe." Those are the excuses I have heard from insurance, DARS (Texas, go figure), and medicare regarding standing frames, and regarding treatment with FES. Not trying to be a pessimist, but that's the reality we face here. In the UK, as I understand it, you don't have as much stuff readily available; in the US, we have all kinds of stuff available, but only to those who can pay for it all themselves. Truth be told, we're all getting screwed one way or another.

[Bjorn Jurcka: BerkelBike BV]

Hi all,

BerkelBike broke the relation with Cyclone Mobility. This means that we still don't have a distributor in the UK.

The advantage is that you can buy directly from us, which makes it cheaper.


Regards,

Bjorn

[wheelywendy]

Bjorn Jurcka: BerkelBike BV, on Mar 24 2009, 12:02 PM, said:

Hi all,

BerkelBike broke the relation with Cyclone Mobility. This means that we still don't have a distributor in the UK.

The advantage is that you can buy directly from us, which makes it cheaper.


Regards,

Bjorn

as seen in a previous post cyclone are experiencing difficulities at the moment anyway! so if we can buy direct from you in the uk now, what sort of prices are we looking at or is this top sectret information? as all queries about cost seem to get swept under the carpet!
thanks wendy

[Bjorn Jurcka: BerkelBike BV]

wheelywendy, on Mar 24 2009, 02:31 PM, said:

as seen in a previous post cyclone are experiencing difficulities at the moment anyway! so if we can buy direct from you in the uk now, what sort of prices are we looking at or is this top sectret information? as all queries about cost seem to get swept under the carpet!
thanks wendy

Hello Wendy and others,

On your and others requests and because it will no longer interfere a distributor in the UK, I made a page with the prices on our website.

I think this will take away the carpet!


Bjorn

[Bjorn Jurcka: BerkelBike BV]

Hello everybody,

Nowadays we do have 2 dealers in the UK:
- Bromakin from Loughborough
- DaVinci Mobility from Liverpool
(see our website for their contact information).

This month we sold 2 BerkelBikes in Northern America:
- 1 in the US
- 1 in Canada
Both buyers came to the Netherlands for a test ride, but you can also buy it with a 30 days trial period (see website).

Regards,

Bjorn