For people with reduced mobility, an adapted bike literally opens up the road. But where do you buy or rent one in Flanders? Not every bike shop has handbikes or duo bikes in stock — specialised sales points are scarce and it pays to know where to go for advice, a test ride and good service.

On this page you'll find an overview of Flemish sales and rental addresses for adapted bikes, with the practical info you need before planning your first ride.

⭐ Featured: Bike Republic Diest

Bike Republic Diest is the go-to address in the Diest region and surroundings for adapted bikes. They have handbikes, duo bikes, tricycles and wheelchair bikes in stock, and they guide you through both the choice and the test ride.

Why we feature Bike Republic Diest: they don't just sell — they also take time for guidance. You don't choose an adapted bike without a test ride, and no sales point should walk that path with you without explaining the financial support options. Bike Republic Diest does — and our visitors regularly pass them on as a strong address.

Other Flemish addresses

For those who live further from Diest:

• Wezo Aangepast Fietsen — specialised in custom-built handbikes and tricycles
• Velo+ Tielt — strong regional presence in West Flanders
• Specific handbike brands (Stricker, Tracker, Top End) have Belgian dealers — ask for a comparative quote

Not just selling — testing first

An adapted bike often costs between €3,000 and €8,000. Without an extensive test ride that's too much risk. Strong sales points:

• Set aside time for a test ride (minimum 30 min, often an hour)
• Ask questions about your mobility profile: arm strength, balance, fatigue
• Let you test different models instead of immediately pushing their favourite
• Offer guidance with financial support (VAPH, health insurance, tax deduction)
• Offer maintenance and repair on site

Rental: testing without buying

For a one-off outing or to try before you buy:

• Domein Kiewit (Hasselt) — duo bikes and wheelchair platform bikes from the visitor centre
• Herkenrode Abbey (Hasselt) — wheelchair platform bike and duo bike, €30/day
• Bokrijk (Genk) — e-bikes and adapted bikes with guidance on request
• Local volunteer groups and care homes — ask your municipality or adapted-sports coordinator

Financial support

An adapted bike is expensive — but support is available:

• VAPH (Flemish Agency for People with a Disability) — under certain conditions they recognise the bike as an aid. Application via your multidisciplinary team.
• Health insurance fund — some funds give an extra few hundred euros.
• Federal tax deduction — deductible under aids.
• Municipal grants — more and more municipalities offer a purchase incentive.

A good sales point such as Bike Republic Diest knows this paperwork and helps you with it.

Which bike for which route?

Once you have your adapted bike, you can plan your trips. Read our pillar Adapted cycling routes and handbike paths in Belgium for 8 honest route reviews by type of bike.

Or check out our Top 3 for a first handbike tour:

1. Meuse Valley Dinant — ~20 km along the RAVeL
2. Coastal promenade De Panne → Ostend — ~28 km, completely flat
3. Liège → Visé — ~25 km RAVeL along the Meuse

Finally

Finding an adapted bike takes a bit more research than a regular bike — but it gets you a first-class leisure activity. Our tip: plan a test ride at a specialised sales point such as Bike Republic Diest before you request a quote. That's always more sensible than comparing online without knowing how your profile translates to the right model.

Do you have experience with a Flemish sales point or rental address we should include? Let us know — first-hand info makes this page stronger.