Cycles demonstrates
his bakfiets.]
I have just confirmed that the Dutch Bicycle Company — a Florida-based importer of bakfiets and Dutch city bikes — has named a Portland distributor.
According to Dutch Bicycle Company owner Dan Sorger, Northeast Portland resident Dean Mullin will represent the complete range of Dutch city bikes offered by his company through his newly established business, Clever Cycles.
On a side note, I can’t help but notice that Clever Cycles is similar to Cleverchimp, the local business of Todd Fahrner and his Stokemonkey electric assist product.
Todd and Dean recently collaborated on an Stokemonkey-equipped bakfiets and I have a feeling that we’ll be hearing more out of their partnership soon.
This announcement follows a steady stream of Dutch bicycle news and further validates my hunch that 2007 will bring a Dutch bike invasion to the U.S. Consider the following recent developments:
- Seattle Bike Supply will distribute Batavus
- The Electra Amsterdam will be available in December
- Jorg & Olif have North American shipping
- Cleverchimp has adapted their Stokemonkey product for bakfiets
- Even the Wall Street Journal has noticed
All this recent news, together with the recent shift in American politics towards more progressive thinking about livability and transportation issues, sets the stage in making 2007 a banner year for bikes in this country. Stay tuned and hold on…