{"id":4126,"date":"2025-04-24T10:35:33","date_gmt":"2025-04-24T08:35:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/leidsepers.com\/?p=4126"},"modified":"2025-04-24T10:35:37","modified_gmt":"2025-04-24T08:35:37","slug":"staying-in-the-saddle-20-years-of-the-4-wheel-bike","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/leidsepers.com\/nl\/2025\/04\/24\/staying-in-the-saddle-20-years-of-the-4-wheel-bike\/","title":{"rendered":"Staying in the Saddle: 20 Years of the 4-Wheel Bike"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

LEIDEN \u2013 Feeling safe and balanced while cycling, even at an older age, has long seemed out of reach for many. But for the past twenty years, the Dutch company\u00a04Wielfiets\u00a0has offered a different path forward. Their four-wheeled bicycle, developed in Leiden, gives users the ability to cycle without fear of falling.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Founded by Robert van Hees, the company marks its two-decade milestone this year. He describes the four-wheel bike as not just a product, but a confidence booster. \u201cYou don\u2019t need to be afraid anymore,\u201d he says. \u201cOur goal has always been to make movement safe and enjoyable again.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

From Frustration to Innovation<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The bike itself may look modest, but the concept is quietly revolutionary. Unlike tricycles, which can feel unstable in turns, the four-wheel design remains solid regardless of speed or direction. This unique balance mechanism allows users to feel supported at all times \u2014 even when letting go of the handlebars.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Van Hees often sees people arrive with doubts, expecting the bike to feel awkward or bulky. But as soon as they get on and try it, those doubts begin to disappear. \u201cWe make sure they understand what the bike does, how it works, and how to trust it \u2014 and themselves \u2014 again,\u201d he says.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Designed for Everyday Life<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Measuring only 66 centimeters in width, the 4-wheel bike fits through standard doorways and can be folded down to 1.25 meters in length. It was designed with everyday needs in mind: storing it in a hallway, getting through narrow passages, and maintaining full control in busy environments.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Details such as dual brake systems and an ergonomic frame show that user experience has been at the heart of development. The bike is handmade in small batches and tailored to encourage autonomy and mobility, even for those who may have thought cycling was no longer an option.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Health, Freedom, and Community<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The impact goes beyond physical health. Through the platform\u00a0ikkanhetwel.eu, Van Hees works closely with therapists and neighborhood coaches to ensure people stay active \u2014 not just in movement, but in mindset. \u201cStaying mobile is about more than muscles and joints. It\u2019s about freedom and connection,\u201d he says.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

That sense of freedom is something users repeatedly share after a test ride. Often, they speak of rediscovered joy and the renewed ability to take part in daily life without assistance. It\u2019s a transformation that has kept Van Hees and his team motivated for twenty years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Investment of Confidence<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Despite its benefits, the 4-wheel bike is not widely known, and isn\u2019t covered by the national support scheme for mobility aids. However, funding is available through personal budgets, and the company assists clients in navigating that process.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

With a starting price of \u20ac5,000, the bike is a serious investment \u2014 but one that, according to Van Hees, pays off in independence. Production now takes place in Roelofarendsveen, with a few components sourced internationally, but design and assembly remain thoroughly Dutch.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOf course we\u2019re a business,\u201d Van Hees says. \u201cBut every euro we earn goes right back into building better bikes. This isn\u2019t just about transport. It\u2019s about restoring people\u2019s trust in their own abilities.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

LEIDEN \u2013 Feeling safe and balanced while cycling, even at an older age, has long seemed out of reach for many. But for the past twenty years, the Dutch company\u00a04Wielfiets\u00a0has…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":39504927,"featured_media":4130,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"content-type":"","_lmt_disableupdate":"","_lmt_disable":"","advanced_seo_description":"","jetpack_seo_html_title":"","jetpack_seo_noindex":false,"jetpack_seo_schema_type":"","_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":false,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","enabled":false},"version":2},"_wpas_customize_per_network":false,"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[1416,1506,1429],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-4126","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-www-leidsepers-com-urban-planning-mobility-cycling-sustainability","category-leiden-noord","category-www-leidsepers-com-economy-business-local-businesses-startups"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/leidsepers.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/4wielfiets-20-years-anniversary-robert-van-hees-marsha-sewnandan.jpg?fit=1300%2C976&ssl=1","jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/pg7Z1D-14y","jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":4059,"url":"https:\/\/leidsepers.com\/nl\/2025\/04\/21\/delay-at-de-geus-leiden-residents-face-longer-wait-for-bike-parking-at-station\/","url_meta":{"origin":4126,"position":0},"title":"Delay at De Geus: Leiden residents face longer wait for bike parking at station","author":"Roeland van Wely","date":"april 21, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"LEIDEN - Residents who cycle to the central station will have to wait longer for additional parking space. The new underground bicycle facility at Stationsplein, offering 2,800 spots, is facing a two-year delay due to persistent groundwater problems. Until then, the pressure on existing bike parking facilities remains high. The\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Fietsstad & Duurzaamheid"","block_context":{"text":"Fietsstad & Duurzaamheid","link":"https:\/\/leidsepers.com\/nl\/category\/www-leidsepers-com-urban-planning-mobility\/www-leidsepers-com-urban-planning-mobility-cycling-sustainability\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Construction site of De Geus in Leiden with crane and foundation work underway, highlighting delay in underground bike parking facility near Leiden Central Station.","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/leidsepers.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/de-geus-leiden-bike-parking-delay-2025.jpg?fit=1200%2C774&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/leidsepers.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/de-geus-leiden-bike-parking-delay-2025.jpg?fit=1200%2C774&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/leidsepers.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/de-geus-leiden-bike-parking-delay-2025.jpg?fit=1200%2C774&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/leidsepers.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/de-geus-leiden-bike-parking-delay-2025.jpg?fit=1200%2C774&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/leidsepers.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/de-geus-leiden-bike-parking-delay-2025.jpg?fit=1200%2C774&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":2427,"url":"https:\/\/leidsepers.com\/nl\/2025\/01\/27\/concerns-over-cyclist-safety-no-separated-bike-lanes-on-oosterkerkstraat\/","url_meta":{"origin":4126,"position":1},"title":"Concerns Over Cyclist Safety: No Separated Bike Lanes on Oosterkerkstraat","author":"Roeland van Wely","date":"januari 27, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"LEIDEN \u2013 The city council will soon deliberate on the redesign of Oosterkerkstraat and Ir. Driessenstraat. The proposal designates both streets as area access roads with a 30 km\/h speed limit (GOW30). However, the removal of separated bike lanes has sparked significant concern among residents. 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Every day, hundreds of children ride through busy streets to reach their schools. To improve these routes, the city of Leiden has upgraded two major intersections, including the dangerous\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Gemeenteraad"","block_context":{"text":"Gemeenteraad","link":"https:\/\/leidsepers.com\/nl\/category\/www-leidsepers-com-politics-governance\/www-leidsepers-com-politics-governance-city-council-decisions\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Improved intersection at Lammenschansweg and Koninginnelaan in Leiden with bike lanes and crossing points","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/leidsepers.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/lammenschansweg-koninginnelaan-crossing-leiden-bike-safety.jpg?fit=1200%2C900&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/leidsepers.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/lammenschansweg-koninginnelaan-crossing-leiden-bike-safety.jpg?fit=1200%2C900&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/leidsepers.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/lammenschansweg-koninginnelaan-crossing-leiden-bike-safety.jpg?fit=1200%2C900&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/leidsepers.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/lammenschansweg-koninginnelaan-crossing-leiden-bike-safety.jpg?fit=1200%2C900&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/leidsepers.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/lammenschansweg-koninginnelaan-crossing-leiden-bike-safety.jpg?fit=1200%2C900&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":4345,"url":"https:\/\/leidsepers.com\/nl\/2025\/05\/03\/sidewalks-packed-with-bikes-this-doesnt-work-at-all\/","url_meta":{"origin":4126,"position":3},"title":"Sidewalks Packed with Bikes: \u201cThis Doesn\u2019t Work at All\u201d","author":"Roeland van Wely","date":"mei 3, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"LEIDEN\u00a0\u2013 The City of Leiden is using white sidewalk graffiti to raise awareness for pedestrians who struggle to find space on overcrowded pavements. In busy streets like Pelikaanstraat and Breestraat, the campaign seems to have little effect so far. Residents report that the situation remains unchanged. Bikes are still parked\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Fietsstad & Duurzaamheid"","block_context":{"text":"Fietsstad & Duurzaamheid","link":"https:\/\/leidsepers.com\/nl\/category\/www-leidsepers-com-urban-planning-mobility\/www-leidsepers-com-urban-planning-mobility-cycling-sustainability\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"White sidewalk graffiti in Leiden showing \u201cKeep the sidewalk clear\u201d message with accessibility symbol and 1.5 meter arrow.","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/leidsepers.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/leiden-sidewalk-bike-awareness-campaign.jpg?fit=1200%2C901&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/leidsepers.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/leiden-sidewalk-bike-awareness-campaign.jpg?fit=1200%2C901&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/leidsepers.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/leiden-sidewalk-bike-awareness-campaign.jpg?fit=1200%2C901&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/leidsepers.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/leiden-sidewalk-bike-awareness-campaign.jpg?fit=1200%2C901&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/leidsepers.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/leiden-sidewalk-bike-awareness-campaign.jpg?fit=1200%2C901&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":2818,"url":"https:\/\/leidsepers.com\/nl\/2025\/03\/17\/cyclists-fined-en-masse-enforcement-officers-crack-down\/","url_meta":{"origin":4126,"position":4},"title":"Cyclists Fined En Masse: Enforcement Officers Crack Down","author":"Roeland van Wely","date":"maart 17, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"LEIDEN\u00a0\u2013 Running red lights, cycling without lights, or using a phone while biking\u2014everyday violations that can have serious consequences. With three cycling accidents per 1,000 residents in 2022, Leiden has been labeled the most dangerous cycling city in the Netherlands, according to research by Independer. In response, the municipality is\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Leiden"","block_context":{"text":"Leiden","link":"https:\/\/leidsepers.com\/nl\/category\/municipalities\/leiden\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Three BOAs in Leiden patrolling on bicycles near a park, enforcing traffic laws for cyclists.","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/leidsepers.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/boa.jpg?fit=1200%2C901&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/leidsepers.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/boa.jpg?fit=1200%2C901&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/leidsepers.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/boa.jpg?fit=1200%2C901&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/leidsepers.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/boa.jpg?fit=1200%2C901&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/leidsepers.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/boa.jpg?fit=1200%2C901&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":3717,"url":"https:\/\/leidsepers.com\/nl\/2025\/04\/16\/leiden-library-under-construction-renewal-plan-awaits-city-council-approval\/","url_meta":{"origin":4126,"position":5},"title":"Leiden Library Under Construction: Renewal Plan Awaits City Council Approval","author":"Roeland van Wely","date":"april 16, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"LEIDEN\u00a0\u2013 The central library on Nieuwstraat is set to undergo a major overhaul. The renovation will not only update the interior design but also transform the library\u2019s role in the community. The aim is to turn it into a modern, inclusive meeting space for all residents of Leiden. 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