HOW RE-LOCK WAS BORN
In 2016, Chiel Bekker sat on a terrace, waiting for his wife, when suddenly the sky opened up, and heavy rain poured down. As he watched people struggle to unlock their bikes—fumbling with shopping bags, digging through pockets for their keys—he thought, "Surely, there must be a better way to do this. Why not unlock a bike without a physical key?"
That moment sparked the idea for Re-Lock—a revolutionary digital locking solution designed to make bike access effortless, secure, and keyless.
FROM IDEA TO INNOVATION
Less than ten years later, Re-Lock is the only patented and digital lock on the market produced according to the Cradle to Cradle philosophy. Every day, riders and businesses rely on Re-Lock’s advanced technology for secure, seamless, and hassle-free bike access. Whether for a single bike or a fleet of 1,000, our smart locks integrate effortlessly with mobility platforms, eliminating key management and enhancing fleet efficiency.
At Re-Lock, we continue to push the boundaries of security, convenience, and sustainability, ensuring that accessing a bike is as simple as a tap or a scan—no keys required.
Oprichter
Chiel Bekker
Chiel Bekker, Founder/CEO and Product Designer of Re-Lock, has been driving keyless, secure bike-locking solutions since 2016. Inspired by seeing people struggle with bike keys in the rain, he created a completely new certified digital lock, now widely used by fleet operators and businesses in the micro-mobility sector.
Chiel’s 20+ year entrepreneurial journey spans product design, energy-efficient technology, and business development. He started is career as a co-founder of Trend-Wash, a dye and stone-washing company. Later he also co-founded NILS, expanded it's light division, and played a key role in the growth of it. Later in his career, he founded BB-Lightconcepts, pioneering sustainable LED solutions for infrastructure, growing it into an industry leader before its sale to a publicly listed company.
With expertise in product development, engineering, and mobility solutions, Chiel drives Re-Lock’s mission to deliver seamless, secure access for micro-mobility fleets. Re-Lock’s smart digital locks with BLE, NFC, GPS, and SIM provide fleet managers with reliable, scalable, and future-proof keyless solutions.
In his free time, Chiel enjoys designing new concepts, exploring innovative materials, and traveling together with his spouse on their camper true Europe.
Production, Quality Control and R&D
Adrie Flipsen
Adrie Flipsen is bringing over 20 years of expertise in LEAN manufacturing, process optimization, and strategic purchasing. Before working with Re-Lock, Adrie worked as a Strategic Purchaser and later co-founded SDO Werkt, a social enterprise dedicated to creating employment opportunities for people with disabilities.
Driven by the belief that inclusivity and efficiency can go hand in hand, Adrie played a pivotal role in integrating people with disabilities into sustainable, profitable production models. By optimizing processes, logistics, and cost structures, he helped create a scalable alternative to offshore outsourcing, keeping production in the Netherlands while providing meaningful employment.
At Re-Lock, Adrie oversees purchasing, production, quality assurance, and R&D, ensuring that every digital lock meets the highest standards of reliability, security, and sustainability. His deep understanding of efficient manufacturing and supply chain management plays a key role in scaling Re-Lock’s operations while maintaining top-tier product quality.
Outside of work, Adrie is a passionate football fan and a dedicated Feyenoord supporter, bringing the same enthusiasm and commitment to both his professional and personal life.
Product Engineering
Bennie Elfrink
Bennie Elfrink is at Re-Lock, responsible for designing, testing, and ensuring the quality of the mechanics, electronics, and software within Re-Lock’s advanced digital locks. With over 20 years of experience as a technical designer in the IT, Automotive, and Industrial sectors, Bennie brings a deep technical understanding to every stage of product development.
Trained as an engineer, Bennie has a passion for precision and innovation, ensuring that Re-Lock’s products meet the highest standards of reliability, security, and performance. His expertise in mechanical design, embedded systems, and software integration plays a crucial role in delivering durable and smart locking solutions for micro-mobility fleets worldwide.
Outside of work, Bennie is a motorcycle enthusiast, spending his free time restoring vintage motorcycles and riding his KTM, combining his love for mechanics with the thrill of the open road.
