Auke is safety expert at Urban Iki and plays a key role in researching, developing and testing our child bike seats and balance bikes. With a background in industrial product design and experience in international product development, he knows exactly what a safe product must meet and where it can be improved.
He works closely with Ronald, OGK in Japan and industrial design agency Idenova from Winterswijk. Together they lay the foundation for product design. Where Ronald and Idenova bring the concept and vision, Auke ensures that every design meets the highest standards in safety and functionality. The parent company OGK contributes the high level of Japanese quality, supported by extensive testing facilities.
Auke is also actively involved in the development of European safety standards and is a member of both the Dutch and European committees for child products. Within these groups, he works with other experts to define what truly safe means for children on the bike.
“The law says something must be safe. But as an industry, you define together what safe really means. That is set in standards, and you always want to stay ahead of that.”
Testing, improving and testing again
At Urban Iki, safety does not stop at meeting the standard. Auke ensures that products are thoroughly tested, both internally and externally. Together with partner OGK in Japan, improvements are continuously developed, with regular alignment on innovations and developments.
Testing often goes beyond legal requirements. Not because it has to, but because the confidence must be right.
“We test beyond what the standard requires. Not for the rules, but to be sure ourselves that everything is truly right.”
To keep improving products, Auke also works closely with Marleen from customer service. Daily insights from parents are directly used to refine and improve products.
Safety you can feel as a parent
For Auke, safety is not only technical, it is something you should feel as a parent. The moment you install a child bike seat, that sense of trust should be there instantly, without doubt.
As a new father with a young son who has just started using the front seat, he also looks at every detail from a personal perspective. From a secure mounting system to simple things like warm clothing and a comfortable position.
“As a parent, you notice different things. Is my child sitting well? Does it feel secure? That feeling has to be right immediately.”
This combination of expertise and personal experience allows Auke to truly understand what parents need: a child bike seat that is not only safe, but also feels safe.
Nederland/België
United Kingdom
Danmark
