move yourself
the dijker
The dijker looks like it has been on the road for decades. Yet nothing like it existed before.
The dijker has pedals, and that is the only analogy with a bicycle drive! The dijker has a completely newly developed mechanism, the spiral belt drive multispeed®.
The dijker basics
The dijker has four wheels and a small steering wheel. To brake, you push that steering wheel in. The pedals move back and forth in a straight line, left and right independently. The body comes in two parts: an open luggage compartment, the boot, and a nose cover. Both come off in seconds.
Five highlights
comfort
Made for commuters who now take the car, a motorbike or public transport. There is a comfortable, slightly recumbent seat. With the nose cover on there is still plenty of ventilation, and you can hang your jacket over the open-fabric backrest.
protection
Four sturdy wheels and a strong chassis keep you safe on the road. A brightly coloured flag makes sure other traffic sees you. Is it cold or raining? You are protected by a mini poncho between the boot and the nose cover.
fast
You can push with both legs at the same time, and the dijker weighs very little. That gives you a quick start from standstill, and at speed the streamlined shape helps.
free
The dijker is open, so getting in and out is easy. You are never shut in.
boot
At the back is one large luggage compartment with no dividers, the boot. It comes off as easily as the nose cover.
Furthermore: there are no brake handles, and no handles are required for changing gear either: the adjustment is done by moving your toes backwards. All handles have been designed away. To ride a dijker is a new experience. To ride a dijker is fun.
The technique
The chassis
The chassis, a flat sandwich plate, has many integrated functions. It holds the suspension, steering rack, pedal guides and brake distribution. The brake cables, wiring and drive belts run through it, out of harm's way. The chassis is strong and light.
spiral belt drive multispeed®
Drive and gearing are one system. Each belt winds around the wheel axle in a spiral. While you push, belt length is added or taken away, which makes the diameter bigger or smaller. You can even shift down while standing still. A bicycle derailleur can't do that. Watch the instructional video.
Play the animationBrakes
All four wheels have light-alloy drum brakes. You brake by pushing the steering wheel in, and the steering column passes that movement on. It sounds odd, but in practice it comes naturally.
Inventor's award
Third place in the inventor competition at the Spezialradmesse in Germersheim, 2019.
See the competitionAnimation of the spiral belt drive multispeed®. The belt winds around the wheel axle in a spiral.
3D design drawing of the dijker, showing the chassis, seat, steering and nose cover.
The spiral belt drive multispeed® in real life. Watch the belts wind around the wheel axle.
The inventor
Peter-Paul van der Ven
Inventor of the dijker
Peter-Paul knows physics, materials and tribology. He designs and tests sandwich structures and linear pedal mechanisms.
The dijker is a childhood dream come true. As a boy he saw the air around us getting dirtier. He wanted to build small vehicles with little or no exhaust, vehicles he would want to ride himself. The goal is that car owners will pick one too.
Investing
The dijker works. The next step is further development and bringing it to market. Want to invest, or take on a major role in the project? Get in touch.
Get in touchGet in touch
Have a question or an idea, or want to invest? Send a message.