I had already known the Dutch were famous for everyday cycling, but how
could their bikes differ so much from ours? I had a lot to learn.
I had been in the market to buy a commuter bike for some time now, but couldn't find the right bike. What I was looking for was a bike daily use that was easy to hop on and go, without needing to think about the additional accoutrements of lights, pant clip, panniers, etc.
On a recent trip to The Netherlands I rode a Gazelle bicycle for the first time. The bike was more comfortable, complete, and fun than any other bike I had been on before. It was "fully loaded" as motor vehicles are often described. It didn't come with air conditioning, but you get that for free as soon as you start pedaling. I ended up buying the Gazelle and bringing it back on the plane with me.
If you're looking for a bike for everyday use, here are some qualities of this Dutch bike and things to look for with your purchase:
- Chain guard. One won't know how great a chain guard is until you ride a bike with it. The chain guard keeps your right pant leg or skirt from getting soiled or ripped by the chain and cog. Now you can forget the pant clip - you won't be needing it anymore.
- Fenders. Keep dirt on the ground where it belongs. Fenders prevent your tires from kicking up said schmootz and giving you a nasty "rat tail" on your back after a storm.
- Upright seating. Why be hunched over like Quasimodo when you can sit upright and be more comfortable? This also puts less pressure on your shoulders and wrists.
- Built-in front and rear lights. Imagine needing to remember to pack your car's lights if you plan to be out after dark. Doesn't make much sense, does it? Same is true with your bike's lights. With built-in lights, and an automatic On feature to boot, the lights are always there when you need them.
- Reflective sidewall tires. Motorists in front and behind you can see your lights, but what about those on your sides? To make yourself visible to them, reflective sidewall tires have a retroreflective band of material which lights up when a motorist's headlights are directed at them.
- Built-in rack. There are times when you need to carry stuff, so the built-in rack allows you to put your backpack or purse on it and secure it in place with built-in straps. For additional carriage space, buy a pannier which connects to the rack to throw your stuff into.
- Built-in O-lock. The O-lock is attached to the frame of the bike adjacent to the rear wheel. When locked, it prevents this spokes from rotating. It's good for a short-term trip, but if you plan to be somewhere longer, bring a U-lock to lock the frame and front wheel to a stationary object to prevent the bike from walking off.
Gazelle has pictures of these qualities which can further illustrate their usefulness.
Gazelle bicycles are being sold in the U.S. by only a few companies presently which makes them more expensive due to the importation costs. However, American cycle companies are finally waking up to the potential and markets that everyday bikes can have. A few of these companies are Breezer Bikes, REI, and Electra.
I've been enjoying cycling for many years, but these everyday features on my new bike have greatly improved my enjoyment of commuting, grocery shopping, or just bopping around town. I wish you the same.
Paul DeMaio is BikeArlington's Bike-sharing Program Manager. Paul can be reached at pdemaio@arlingtonva.us. His "baby" is pictured above.
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