Alinker experience Ireen vd Voort

Hi, my name is Ireen van der Voort and I would like to share my experiences with the Alinker balance bike, because I have had two special weeks that I think can encourage people to look at walking differently.

You may have read my blog in the week of November 6th on the Facebook page of Vierfiets (see also: here and here). If not, here’s a quick recap: I’ve had two strokes, neuropathy in my feet, a heel spur that just won’t go away, and balance problems. And: I really want to climb Mont Ventoux in May 2018, walking. And that’s really the most important thing for now. Last May, I would have hiked up, but unfortunately, my foot problems were so severe that I had to cancel a week before the big event. Such frustration and sadness, but at the same time, such an enormous will to do it in 2018. Well, things had to settle down first, and just before the summer, I was diagnosed with colon cancer, so my focus was slightly different… Now, after all sorts of tests, treatments, and surgery, I’m thankfully done with that for a while, yes, literally and completely figuratively, and I could start thinking about other things again.

The Alinker: what a discovery!
Well, a few weeks ago I saw a bright yellow balance bike at the physiotherapist’s. Wow, the color made it impossible to miss, but it also meant my attention kept wandering back to that bike. I carefully asked what it was used for and if I could perhaps try it out. Sure enough, I could, and boy, was it wonderful. I zipped through the exercise room (there was no one else on the floor, mind you…) without having to put any weight on my feet and with perfect balance. Well, I can actually say I was sold. A bit premature, of course, but then again, that’s kind of how I am. Uninhibited, especially according to others, haha. I enthusiastically started Googling (is that “plural” for “searching on Google”?) and found Vierfiets in Amersfoort. At Sjoukje Ziel’s, to be precise. And just as energetically as I’d started my search, I decided to give her a call as well. That was a pleasant conversation, and she had a size Small I could rent for a week. Great, right? When? Well, tomorrow then? Yeah, fine. Okay, so Saturday morning I found myself at Vierfiets in Amersfoort. A warm welcome. I noticed passion and expertise. I was given plenty of opportunity to ask questions; she wanted to know everything to give me sound advice. Like, is a Small my right size? What kind of handlebars would I like? Should I fit a basket? And so on. I tried everything out, and after about an hour and a half, I was off back to Tilburg, as proud as a peacock.

Start slowly?
Of course, she’d told me to take it easy, not be ready to go every day, and that it would take longer than a week to really get used to it. But what do you mean, easy? I only have it for a week, and I want to know after that week if it’s for me. So, once I got home, I did a lap around the neighborhood, and… that wasn’t easy. Pain in the bones you sit on, and my right leg wasn’t quite cooperating either, and why couldn’t I pick up any speed? “Okay, take it easy, another day tomorrow.” Sunday was a bit different, but more pain in my bottom, so what the hell… I managed 2.8 km and also tried some small hills. Now, you can also use it as a scooter, and that went better, going uphill. Monday I didn’t have time due to other things, but Tuesday the weather was beautiful, and after a visit to the orthopedic shoemaker, I parked the car nearby by the canal. I knew there was a lovely bike path there, so: off I went. 4.2 km this time, two small hills, a brisk pace, as I kept overtaking hikers. What was really nice: they were all so enthusiastic. They wanted to film for me, to know where I was, what I was doing. Even the people who weren’t saying anything smiled and looked back… what energy!

Shopping with the Alinker is great
Energy, you said? Yes, enormous! Right, until Wednesday morning, haha. A case of overestimating it, boundless, no brakes and all that, I think. A complete waste. Chips, I really wanted them. So, after a day of rest, I decided to take it easy and go grocery shopping. I was mainly curious if I would be allowed into the store, if the aisles were wide enough, and if people wouldn’t find it annoying. And it turned out perfectly. Plenty of room in the aisles, I could reach everything, and because it’s so easy to get on and off, that wasn’t a problem anyway. People let me pass, looked amused or curious, asked what I was on, and even let me go first at the checkout. Well, that was a bit much for me! The only issue was that I couldn’t take much with me. The basket on the front of the bike is quite spacious and fine for small everyday items, but otherwise, you’re in for a bit of a problem. Well, there is a solution, for example by hanging the B3bag (see example or ask Sjoukje) behind it, but I wonder if that is very stable.

Meanwhile, I had even more plans, and I arranged with Sjoukje to rent the bike for another week. I wanted to go into town, into the woods, attend a council meeting, and just enjoy some walking. (Talk about limitless…)

And to the forest
No sooner said than done. On Friday, I went into the woods with a friend. Wonderful. It had been a while since I’d walked in the woods without much pain afterward. Honestly, we did take a wheelchair-accessible path. But I like to venture off the beaten path, and that actually went quite well. Of course, it does depend on the width of the path. I enjoyed it.

Lots of conversation and attention
On Saturday, I went into town and, again, I got a lot of attention. People were so enthusiastic and stopped me. I could easily navigate the shops, easily reach the card machine to pay, and no one bothered me. Now, I wouldn’t recommend going into Kruidvat. You really can’t avoid it, but I’ve learned that’s a common complaint from people with mobility aids anyway. But above all, lots of understanding, curiosity, and optimism.

On Sunday, I went for a 5k run with the neighbors, and it’s been a long time since we’ve been able to do that. I’ve noticed that you don’t just get over saddle soreness, and that you use completely different muscles than when cycling, for example. That does worry me a bit, but I’m probably just being impatient.

Financing
On Tuesday, I took it to a meeting of the municipality of Tilburg, where people from all corners of the municipality, along with representatives from socially engaged organizations and the municipality, discussed how we can ensure that there are no more barriers for people with disabilities. And then you could make the discussion as broad as you wanted. There was also a lot of enthusiasm for the bicycle, but also about my experiences so far with searching and calling the municipality, involved employees of the WMO/Z-loket (Social Support Act/Healthcare Support) desk, and Uniek Sporten/Wheels2Sport. Because there lies another problem: the bicycle is expensive due to, among other things, the low number of units and therefore not affordable for everyone. Not even for me, so I have to look for ways to rent or borrow it for a longer period. But I’ve already realized that a personalized approach to what could significantly improve someone’s health is by no means self-evident. Alinker doesn’t have contracts with insurers, so I was rejected there as well. I’ll start looking, but it’s really questionable whether it will work through regular channels.

And now I can just enjoy it for two more days. Wonderful.

Conclusion
Of course, I’ve written about my experiences from the perspective that I’m still relatively young (54) and that, in addition to normal use, I’d also like to use the bike as a sports aid. But what I’d like to say to anyone considering renting or buying the Alinker bike: it’s a fantastic walking aid. It not only provides mobility, but also social contact, freedom, enjoying the outdoors, and being able to join friends for walks or shopping.

Points of attention:

• Don’t expect too much from the brake; it locks the rear wheel when getting on or off, for example, but that’s about it. You don’t need it anyway; you’re not going fast enough for that. (Unless you use it like I do).
• The foam that covers the handlebars is very fragile, but it can be replaced with cycling tape, for example
• Don’t do weekly shopping with it, but daily, in terms of quantity
• If you rent or buy one: persevere. Don’t give up after a week because your saddle or leg pain is sore. I find that it really takes a longer period of time.

And for Barbara Alink, the inventor of the Alinker balance bike, I have a challenge: modifying it so it can be used even more intensively for running/sports. I think many people with similar complaints to mine could use it as a sports aid.

Many thanks to Sjoukje for his involvement during those two weeks and Wilco Giesen, who, as an experienced user, motivated and stimulated me and gave me practical advice.

Ireen van der Voort