She really relaxes on the bike

Huka grew with Melanie (40) from Hoogeveen. She started at the age of 4 with a children’s tricycle from Huka. She now cycles daily on the City tricycle. ‘It gives her independence, it’s good for her muscles and she really relaxes on the bike,’ says Grace, Melanie’s mother.

Nearly lifelong Huka bike

Melanie has been using a Huka bicycle pretty much all her life because of her spasm. Grace says: ‘We started in the 1980s with a blue-green AT-B tricycle from Huka. In the beginning, she needed torso support and her feet had to be attached with foot trays. Over the years, that changed. She now no longer needs foot trays on her City tricycle and only uses toe clips. That has become a lot easier for her.’

Hip sports cycling

‘She enjoys cycling on the City, partly because of the robust stable frame. It really is a hip bike. I think that’s important for her. Especially when you have a disability. As a mother, you then want her to enjoy riding her bike. And that is allowed to look nice and sporty! When we are on the road, we regularly encounter cyclists. They then really turn around and make a facial expression like: that’s cool.’ Melanie says: ‘And the bike pedals very lightly and I can get on and off easily.’ Grace continues: ‘ And importantly, we can use a good service, so we always have something to fall back on.’

Not sitting back

‘That Melanie had a spasm, we didn’t know in the beginning. We only found that out when she was 2 years old. In hindsight, it turned out to have been oxygen deprivation at birth. A very intense period, because you worry a lot about your first child. After all, she was not quite keeping up in terms of development and I felt it was not right. At the time, I had been working in care for years with mentally visually impaired people, so I had comparison material. Her spasm did make us more aware of all kinds of things in life. We are always positive and don’t get downhearted.’

On the tricycle to work

‘In addition, Melanie also has her own activities. On Tuesdays and Wednesdays, she works at a care shop in our town. She makes coffee, helps behind the till and makes all kinds of beautiful creations that are sold in the shop. Wreaths, bracelets, homemade paintings, painted trays and embroidered flannels. Everything she makes herself. We always go there together by bike, unless it rains.’ Melanie goes on to say, ‘In cold weather, I put on the gloves. I don’t care if it’s cold then.’

Less exercise, stiff muscles

‘Hardly a day goes by without us cycling for at least half an hour. After all, exercise is hugely important for Melanie. If she doesn’t, her muscles get stiff and exercise becomes less easy for her. She is better at cycling than walking.’ Tells Grace.

Nature and beautiful men

Grace says: ‘Cycling also means relaxation for Melanie. In peace and quiet, she cycles and feels the wind through her hair. We cycle to the beach near here and we enjoy nature. She also sees a lot along the way, such as herons in the ditch and storks in the meadows. At ease, she watches them, because you never fall over with the tricycle as you cycle along at walking pace.’ Melanie continues: ‘And we also meet beautiful men along the way. They then say hi to me and I really like that. At weekends, we regularly cycle to the market to buy chocolate sultanas and something else tasty to go with the Radler 0.0 I get to drink on Saturday night.’

I never feel alone

‘Along the way, we also always have company. So we regularly meet a female on the way who then waves to Melanie or people who address us on the way. Very sociable.’ Melanie says: I never feel alone and I also regularly get compliments on my hip bike. It’s so nice that I can cycle everywhere.’

Would you like to receive more information about the Huka tricycle. Or take a no-obligation test ride? Please contact us at +31 (0)541-572 472 or send an e-mail to info@hukabikes.com.

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