You can only do that by really listening. In our showroom, and often in people’s homes, the conversations we have aren’t sales pitches. They are about understanding someone’s needs and giving honest advice on what suits their body, lifestyle and circumstances. That’s why I can confidently say we know our riders. We understand the challenges they face, which is exactly why we offer so many options and adjustments, so that more people can enjoy cycling in a way that works for them.

Our roots are in frame building. Making things ourselves is part of who we are. From welding and fabrication to designing innovative technology, we develop everything in-house. It allows us to maintain control over quality and create something truly tailored to each rider. I often think of Pippi Longstocking’s famous line: ‘I’ve never tried that before, so I think I can do it.’ That spirit of believing in possibilities, even when something hasn’t been done before, runs through vanRaam. 

I’ve experienced every part of the business myself, from welding and machining to developing new concepts and technical designs. Today, as CEO, I encourage our team to keep asking whether something can be done better, smarter, or more thoughtfully. As we grow, it’s important that we stay true to our roots. For example, we developed our own electric assist system specifically for tricycles and designed it to be fully adaptable to each rider. Because we build it ourselves, we can remain flexible.

It makes me proud to see vanRaam bikes around the world, giving people greater freedom and independence every day.”■