Todd Fahrner, the man behind Southeast Portland-based Cleverchimp, has just published photos and video of his latest creation. He has outfitted a Dutch “bakfiets” bike with his superlative Stokemonkey Human Electric Hybrid Drive device. Check it out:
This is an exciting development on many levels. Here’s what Todd says:
“Many commenters are quick to point out that these bikes are quite heavy, and dismiss them as unsuitable outside of the flat, dense, flat Netherlands. Enter Stokemonkey.”
Folks, I think it’s safe to say that we are on the cusp of an exciting trend that will have its U.S. epicenter in Portland. Cargo bikes and real, dutch-style city bikes are the “next big thing”.
I’ve reported on a U.S.-based importer of bakfiets and we’ve learned that Dutch bike purveyors Jorg&Olif have a North American shipping operation. Add to that several local developments that are still simmering (I’ll be reporting more them soon) and it seems like a tipping point for interest in these bikes can’t be far away.
For now, go have some fun browsing the photos and watching the video of this stoked bakfiets in action over on Todd’s Cleverchimp blog.