The Dutch bike invasion into the United States has reached a new level. Walmart now sells the classic "Opa" style Dutch bike for $249. Check out the new Hollandia Opa Citi 28" Cruiser Bike (that "cruiser" label will surely make Dutch bike purists cringe)...

"Hollandia"

The bike was inspired by the classic Opa model made famous by Workcycles. To give you an idea of what an authentic Dutch bike costs, Clever Cycles sells the Workcycles Opa for $1,599.

The Hollandia is made in China and boasts a front and rear "Dutch-style rack," bell, light, chainguard and a dualie kickstand. It even comes standard with fenders. Hollandia is not a Walmart house brand. It was created in 2010 by U.S. importer Cycle Force Group.

Dutch bikes have been growing in popularity in the U.S. ever since they first became available at the end of 2006. Electra helped popularize them with their "Amsterdam" line, which launched in fall 2006.

I haven't seen one of Walmart's Hollandia's in person yet, but I hope it's put together well (a $249 price point doesn't give me much confidence). I think it'd be interesting to buy one and give it a thorough review (similar to what I did when the Electra Amsterdam first hit the market in November 2006); but I have mixed feelings about giving any money to Walmart.

What do you think?

The founders of Jorg & Olif, a company that was around at the inception of the Dutch Bike Invasion in America, have announced that they'll sell off the company if they don't find an investor.

In a statement posted to their website on September 16th, co-founders Rob MacDonald and Jane Cox wrote that their company, "faces some financial obstacles that need immediate attention" and that "Without new capital injection, the partners are considering new paths."

(From JorgandOlif.com)

Jorg & Olif -- whose bikes are offered free to guests at the stylish Ace Hotel in downtown Portland -- is a Canadian company that I first wrote about nearly two years ago. At that time, there was no Clever Cycles, Seattle Bike Supply wasn't (yet) selling the Batavus "Old Dutch" in the U.S., and if you wanted a Dutch city bike, you had know a reliable source and then pay dearly to ship the heavy steed across the atlantic.

Jorg & Olif has been selling Dutch bikes in North America since 2004 and they were the first company to set up a shipping operation in the U.S., a move that helped pave the way for the Dutch and urban transportation biking revival in this country.

So, anyone out there looking for a great investment opportunity?

While the economy is scary and uncertain, the bike industry is sitting pretty. Ford Motor Company just reported a 34% sales drop for September, maybe they can gobble up Jorg & Olif and grab onto the coattails of the booming bike business?

Thanks to good folks at Seattle Bike Supply, for the past several months I've been the lucky caretaker of a Batavus "Old Dutch". I hoped the Portland sales rep who loaned it to me would have forgotten about it, but unfortunately, last Friday it was time to give it back.

It's a beautiful bike, and a clear symbol of the Dutch Bike Invasion that is sweeping North America.

Even though it wasn't my ideal day-to-day bike, I relished every opportunity to take it for a spin. There's something about the Dutch position (expertly explained here by Todd Fahrner) and the angles of this classic bike that just feels right.

The skirt guard also makes a great kids feet guard.

But beyond how it felt to ride, one reason I enjoyed this bike was because it always attracted attention. That's not just because I'm some egotist who likes attention (although I don't usually mind it), it's because if we're ever going to get non-bikers to start pedaling, we've got to first inspire them with functional, and more importantly, beautiful bikes.

Danica liked it too.

Riding this thing around town, I was amazed at the type of people who would stop, stare, and ask me about it: The mail carrier ducking out of his truck; the elderly women crossing the street in front of me; not the usual suspects to have bike-envy.

And it's not about rocket science or huge R&D budgets, the Dutch have built bikes like this forever. It comes stock with a full chain-guard, ample front and rear fenders, integrated front and rear lights, an upright position, a skirt guard (also handy for keeping kids' feet out of the the wheel), and a comfy saddle.

As I rode around on this thing, usually grinning ear-to-ear, I often wondered how much better off our great country would be if bikes like this could be purchased at at Toys R 'Us or Wal-Mart.

Maybe the bike industry's current fascination with commuter and utility bikes will trickle down to big-box retailers someday. But first, they'll have to sell through their stock of $189.00 full-suspension mountain bikes.

In Portland, you can check out this "Old Dutch" at Revolver bike shop in North Portland, or see our local Batavus dealer Clever Cycles on SE Hawthorne.

Here's an exclusive look at Vancouver BC-based Jorg&Olif's brand new "Scout" (it's not set for full public release until August 10th):

The Scout from Jorg&Olif (Retail: $495-$595)

The press release says the Scout "lets you navigate the urban landscape in affordable style."

It will be available in Fall of this year and is available in three colors (Steel Blue, Mushroom, and black).

Here are a few other salient details:

• Available for pre-order starting August 3rd, while supplies last:
• 1- or 3-speed (Shimano internal hub)
• Frame & Sizes: Oma (XS, S, M) and Opa (M, L, XL)
• Prices: 1-speed ($495 USD / $595 CAD) and 3-speed ($595 USD / $695 CAD)

Last I checked, the company still offers shipping to the states.

At a third of the price of traditional Dutch city bikes, the Scout will be in direct competition with the Batavus "Old Dutch" bikes currently available in the U.S., and with Electra's Amsterdam which I reviewed back in December.

It's been almost ten months since I first mentioned bakfiets on this site. Back in August, I spotted one on NE Broadway and I was blown away by the simple, elegant utility of it.

That story sparked a lot of interest and it was clear Portland was ready for the Dutch bike revolution. Now I'm happy to report that today is the first day of business for Portland's very own Dutch city bike and bakfiets dealer; Clever Cycles.

The shop is located just south of Hawthorne Blvd on SE 9th and I stopped in today to check things out.

Co-owners Todd Fahrner and Dean Mullin were inside talking about bikes and giving test rides to customers. From the looks of their faces it's obvious they've put a lot of hard work into making this shop a reality.

They said they wanted to keep today as a "soft opening" so they could work out any kinks and make sure they've got everything figured out.

I didn't have the heart to grill them with questions and do a full interview, so for now, the slide show below will have to do. Check it out to see some of their offerings which include: the brand new "Old Dutch" Batavus; "Oma" and "Opa" city bikes, bakfiets, and folders from Brompton and Bike Friday):

Created with Paul's flickrSLiDR.

Before I left I gave Todd and Dean a firm handshake to congratulate them on their vision becoming a reality. Way to go guys (and gals, their partners Martina and Rachel are also co-owners). Thank you for bringing the best of Europe to Portland.

Browse my archives for more Dutch bike and bakfiets news.

Northeast Portland native Jamie Nichols "totally flipped" when he saw his first Dutch bakfiets cargo bike. He sees them as the perfect way to replace the family car for short neighborhood trips and even sees them as an answer for what he calls "a looming fuel crisis".

That's why for the past two years, he's been conceptualizing and designing his own version of the popular Dutch bakfiets design.

Nichols has worked with a private metal fabrication contractor since he was 17. Now 26, he has just received materials to build his first two bakfiets prototypes.

"We're looking for these to be a gateway project to other, locally made utility and cargo bikes...I think we've got plenty of people building great commuter bikes, but what happens when you need to carry your groceries? I think families that say they can't go to the store by bike because they have kids will think twice with a bike like this."

A bakfiets from Holland,
ridden by Scott Mizee.
[File photo]

Nichols and his partner Phillip Ross also want to make this a truly Portland bakfiets. Ross says that so far, he's secured about 80% of the materials for the bike from local sources, including the 4130 steel to be used for the bike's frame.

Nichols says that once complete, his bakfiets will be hard to differentiate from the Dutch versions that are becoming more and more popular in North America. He claims that one benefit of his bike will be that all the components will be universally available in the United States (and therefore easier to purchase and repair), which is not the case with the European models.

He has also come to appreciate the near perfection of the 100 year-old Dutch design,

"I had no idea it would be this complicated to replicate the bakfiets design. It's a very refined product, especially when I'm trying do it better."

Local bakfiets importer Clever Cycles have yet to open their doors, but they've already sold over half completely sold out (!) of their first shipment. With that kind of interest, it seems like there's plenty of room for more than one local bakfiets source.

Nichols wouldn't say when we can expect the first prototype, but he and Ross said they'll keep in touch with any developments.

And now it's official, the Batavus "Old Dutch" bikes have landed in America.

Nothing compares to the elegant simplicity of an
authentic, working-class Dutch city bike.
The Batavus "Old Dutch". MSRP $799

I got an email Tuesday from my contact at Seattle Bike Supply (the U.S. importer) who said,

"The Batavus bikes arrived yesterday and are all received and ready to go!! The Dutch are coming, The Dutch are coming!! Hopefully this will add to the Dutch population of bicycles that have already arrived in P-town."

He's excited. So am I. I've got one on the way for a review and photo-shoot.

For more details on this and the other three Batavus models that will be available in the U.S., check out this post from my old friend Tim Grahl at Commute By Bike.

The Oregonian's inPortland secion has a nice story today that will give a big boost to Portland's awareness of and interest in bakfietsen (Dutch for "box bikes").

The story focuses on how great the bikes are for kids and families, and even mentions a woman who uses one as a way to lose her post-pregnancy pounds,

"She knew the only way she could exercise would be to incorporate it into her day. Now she piles the kids into her bakfiets twice a day and rides to her daughter's school and back."

The article also says that June 1st will be the opening day for Clever Cycles, one of the first shops in the U.S. to sell the bikes.

Browse my archives for more Clever Cycles, Dutch bikes and bakfiets news.

Clever Cycles, Portland's soon-to-be-opening retail shop that will carry bakfiets cargo bikes and "a complete line of resoundingly practical biking gear" is showing signs of life at their location on SE 9th Ave., just south of Hawthorne Blvd.

Part of a Dutch bike invasion sweeping North America, this shop will complete a triangle of two-wheeled revelry; it's just a block away from the Lucky Lab and their Bike Route Rye, and The Recyclery bike shop.

Bakfiets sighting at the Master Plan Ride.
File photo: 5/1/07

And with those bike loving Free Geeks close by, I think Clever Cycles will have one heck of a grand opening!

I haven't heard the latest on the official opening day (the website says "June"), but I do know that Dean, Rachel, Todd, and Martina were working hard to remodel the space and get things ready. The sign looks great and I'm looking forward to taking a look inside...

Like Dutch bikes and bakfiets? Check out all my Dutch bike coverage.

An ad from The Bicycle Paper.

Since then I've been following up with Tim Rutledge at their U.S. distributor, Seattle Bike Supply. Tim said there were some logistical problems in bringing the bikes over and I was beginning to wonder whether or not we would ever see them.

Now I have finally learned that the bikes are officially "on the way" and I noticed they are already being advertised in the Seattle-based Bicycle Paper. As you can see in the photo at right, SBS will bring in the original, European Batavus models. The bikes are expected to sell in the $6-700 range.

This is shaping up to be the year of the Dutch bikes. This Batavus news follows the debut of the Electra Amsterdam and the announcement last November of a Portland distributor of Dutch bakfiets cargo bikes.

Dutch bike importer Jorg&Olif is also expected to ramp up their U.S. presence. The newly opened Ace Hotel in downtown Portland will soon have bikes from J&O available for their customers.

Check out the Batavus USA website for more info.