Dutch bikes: appliances, not sporting goods

There are more bicycles than people in the Netherlands: 18 million bikes for 16.3 million people. Now Dutch bicycles are becoming popular outside of their home country. The Dutch Bike Company based in Seattle has seen so much demand, in their 2 years in business, they've expanded to Chicago and now New York City. The concept is simple: they sell bikes for transportation, not sport. Their bikes are big, heavy and comfortable, with names like Oma (Dutch for grandmother) and Opa ("grandfather"). Like most city bikes, they have an upright frame and come equipped with details to keep your clothes clean (a chain case and mud flaps), and to keep you commuting (a bell and a basket).

In this video, David Schmidt and Stephan Schier of the Dutch Bike Company show us their bikes and explain how they're not selling sporting goods, but appliances.

Category:

Autos & Vehicles

Tags:

• bicycles
• dutch bikes
• city bikes
• commute bikes
• bikes
• bike transport
• seattle
• biking
• slow bike

[MarjWas]

Great Video! I'm dutch myself and used to the sight of these bikes. but i'm always amazed at your reactions to what seems so normal to me. Did you know that dutch children go to school by bike. So it's not unusual to see 1200 bikes parked in front of a High school here in the netherlands. bet you foreigners would be surprised and amazed at a sight like that!

[Iceyyyyyage]

"omafietsen" Are the best bikes in the world.

[09conrado]

But why are they all black? In Holland we have them in all colours

[09conrado]

Broken chain? I've ridden similar bikes for over 35 years, and never had any broken chains. Pedals, yes, if you have cheap ones and are in the habit of stepping with it. But chains? Perhaps with coaster brakes, that the stress on the chain is much higher when you suddenly step backwards. But these bikes have roller brakes and are of very high quality, not your average 50 dollar secondhand Amsterdam bike.

[bluemoondiadochi]

@Xcokedav096 you can! i have an 8-speed coaster hub and it'll climb just about any hill. these bikes have speeds as well, so it shouldn't be a problem.

[Rikketje88]

okaay those bikes are super im also dutch but heve to take care of the chain ive had 4 of those bikes allways the chain has been broken

[bluemoondiadochi]

wish you good business success! not only for you, but for all people who will buy a simple, straightforward machine that is REALLY made to last! because these bikes age so well - you can drive a 100 year bike like a new one! i

as a long-time user of our version of "granny bikes" (Pony Maxi from Rog company), produced in 1981 (it's older then me!) i maintain it sporadically (it needs no more) and have yet to learn what bike problems mean!

best of luck to all!

[eaglepose1]

I stayed with friends in Steenwiejksmoer, outside of Coevorden, in the Netherlands when I went to visit in 1990. I borrowed a bicycle to ride into Coevorden, and though I'd been a bike rider all of my life, riding a fiets was a revelation! It's a much more balanced ride, the center of gravity is lower; it's a practical, safe, commuter's bike. If I had one of these, I'd not only get rid of my car, I'd get rid of my very impractical touring Raleigh!!! Give me a grannybike anyday!

[ScubaSteve6785]

can you buy the light kit online?

[Xcokedav096]

@MarjWas That's amazing! I'd love to see that here in America. Where I live, It's usually my bike and another couple (quarter of the time) on my school's bike racks. In America teenagers are completely obbsessed with nothing but driving, it drives me crazy! I'd love to own one of these "Dutch" bikes however I live in a hilly place so I'm not too sure how the weight would do climbing hills...that's why everyone here rides skinny road bikes. I myself ride a mountain bike :P

[JogBird]

do they make these in carbon fiber? i cant go back to regular steel or aluminum

[mariojragucci2]

But what happens when a dutch bike meets a Seattle hill? The Chinese bicycles mostly offer 24 speeds and enable you to negotiate Capitol, Beacon and Queen Anne hills. Also, Chinese bikes mostly offer dual suspension, which afford great handling and manuevrability in our automobile infested pathways. I unjoy the video, but we need a SEATTLE bicycle for our unique topography, and the dutch bikes ain't it. Chinese bikes are OK because of the hills and the automobiles here