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Bakfiets in New York City

By bmw_admin on March 6, 2011

Zigo Leader Bakfiets - Converts to bike and stroller

New York City has much to recommend it as a cycling town. With the exception of Washington Heights, it is essentially flat, distances are short, and there is an ever increasing number of bike lanes. There is no reason why New York City should not become the Amsterdam or Copenhagen of America (other than the handful of surly yet vocal New Yorkers that may be anti-bike.)

Zigo Bakfiets Carrier Bike in NYC

Increasingly in New York City, one sees bakfietsen and carrier bikes, such as the American-designed Zigo Leader, as well as classic dutch style bikes. Al’s Cycle Solutions in New York City and Ride Brooklyn in Park Slope both carry the economically priced Zigo Leader ($1,399-$1,599), while Adeline Adeline in the Village offers a classic bakfiets (cargo bike long) for $2,899. Rolling Orange in Brooklyn offers several models of bakfietsen from the recently bankrupt de Fietsfabriek (reported to now be recapitalized), including the 995 model for $2,650, the de Fietsfabriek Bakfiets (3-wheel) for $3,250, and the de Fietsfabriek models FF16 and BF18 for $3,400. We predict that the bakfiets/carrier bike/cargo bike/freight bicycle trend in New York City will continue this season.

Zigo Leader Bakfiets - Converts to bike and stroller

This entry is filed under General and tagged Adeline Adeline, Al's Cycle Solutions, Bakfiets in New York City, Bakfietsen in New York City, Ride Brooklyn, Rolling Orange..

Where to buy a bakfiets in the United States

By bmw_admin on February 25, 2011

Zigo Leader Bakfiets - Converts to bike and stroller

We are interested in putting together a list of all bakfiets dealers in the United States. It doesn’t matter which brand, whether Zigo, bakfiets.nl, Nihola, Christiana, Gazelle, or another brand. If you a) sell Bakfiets or b) purchased a Bakfiets, please post a comment so that we can put together a bakfiets directory.

This entry is filed under General and tagged Bakfiets dealers, Bakfiets directory. | 3 Comments

WorkCycles Cargo Bike

By bmw_admin on February 20, 2011

Zigo Leader Bakfiets - Converts to bike and stroller

WorkCycles Cargo Bike is a classic cargo bike with roots in Amsterdam. It comes in two versions: WorkCycles Cargo Bike Long and WorkCycles Cargo Bike Short. This is a 2-wheeler design with a low front box. The WorkCycles long can carry up to 3 kids. The WorksCycles Cargo Bike Short is about 3o cm shorter on box length, which results in 40% less box space. It has room for one child in a baby seat and not much more, but rides lighter than the WorksCycles Cargo Bike Long. The overall design of the Workscycles Cagbo Bikes is similar to other Bakfietsen, such as those by bakfiets.nl.

WorkCycles Cargo Bike Long

The WorkCycles line of cargo bikes is somewhat higher end in components than some other brands, and the price, 1499 Euros starting price for the Long and 1449 for the Short reflects this. Like other cargo bikes, the WorksCycle cargo bikes can be used for child transport as well as grocery hauling and other errands, with a reported load capacity of 80kg in front and 50kg in the rear. It comes with a rear 26″ wheel and a front 20″ wheel, Schwalbe Marathon tires, a Shimano 8-speed internal gear hub, hub dyamno with LED head lamp and tail light, and an Axa defender lock. The box is, well a box made of marine plywood. You can also get a 3-gear version, a second bench option to put in the box, a Maxi-Cosi carrier, and rain canopy. The WorksCycles cargo bike also boasts a Stabilo parking stand, which makes it easy to load and unload children or cargo. Overall, a wellmade traditional style bakfiets.

Zigo Leader Bakfiets - Converts to bike and stroller

This entry is filed under Carrier Bicycles/Bakfiets, Products and tagged WorksCycles, WorksCycles Cargo Bike Long, WorksCycles Cargo Bike Short.

De Fietsfabriek – Where are they now?

By bmw_admin on December 24, 2010

De_Fietsfabriek

De Fietsfabriek, based in the Netherlands, is one of the oldest and best known names in carrier bikes, cargo bicycles and bakfietsen, offering a number of 2-wheel and 2-wheel models. Sadly, earlier this year, De Fietsfabriek was reported in the news to be bankrupt, having accumulated unmanageable debt. However, their website is up and running and we have heard anecdotally that they have received new investment and a new lease on life.

De Fietsfabriek makes a 3-wheel bakfiets, as well as a number of 2-wheel bakfiets models. They also make bikes, such as the Filibus, which are city-type bikes with large cargo baskets. Among 2-wheel bakfiets, the Model 994 is probably their best known model. They also have the more modern looking Model 995 and Model 996.

The question is of course, how did De Fietsfabriek end up bankrupt? Perhaps they cannot compete well with both cheaper bikes from brands like Babboe and more modern looks, such as those from Gazelle and Zigo.

De Fietsfabriek bf18_01

Filibus from De Fietsfabriek

We are interested to hear anything about the current status of De Fietsfabriek, how they ended up bankrupt, and if and how they have come out of it.

Please post your comments here.

Addendum: 03/30/31

Someone just wrote us the following:

Hi,I recently bought a bike from De Fietsfabriek in Antalya, Turkey but don’t get excited they closed the shop last week. They have a nice new website www.bisikletfabrikasi.com.trand still have a factory in Ankara I think. The company claim to be opening again in Turkey but I really wouldn’t believe a word that they say, they are full of lies and false promises in my experience.

This entry is filed under Carrier Bicycles/Bakfiets, Products, Uncategorized and tagged Bakfiets, bakfietsen, Cargo Bike, de Fietsfabriek, Filibus, Model 994, Model 995, Model 996.

Urban Arrow – New Electric Bakfiets

By bmw_admin on November 21, 2010

Urban Arrow Bakfiets

We have just seen on the internet a new Dutch electric bakfiets called the Urban Arrow. The first Urban Arrow electric transport bike is designed for families with young kids looking for green, affordable, time-saving alternatives to cars. Of course, all Bakfietsen are after the same market.

The Urban Arrow web site claims that they have “reinvented the transport bike” with a fresh design that utilizes “light, safe and comfortable materials”. It comes equipped with a German made electric pedal assist.

Of interest, they note that the modular frame makes it possible to change the front frame to make a transport e-bike or 3-wheeled cargo e-bike.

There are not many pictures on the Urban Arrow website or much information, but it looks slick from what we can see (the picture above was best we could download). We look forward to seeing more of the Urban arrow and learning more about its specifications.

Zigo Leader Bakfiets - Converts to bike and stroller

This entry is filed under Carrier Bicycles/Bakfiets, Products and tagged Amsterdam, Bakfiets, bakfietsen, dutch cargo bike, Electric Bakfiets, Urban Arrow.

More on Bakfietsen in Amsterdam

By bmw_admin on November 11, 2010

Please visit: Zigo Bakfiets

Zigo Leader Bakfiets - Converts to bike and stroller

A multitude of Bakfieten to choose from.

Tuk Tuk Bakfiets

We have learned about a few more Bakfiets makers in the Netherlands, with even lower pricing than Babboe. What is the difference in quality and components, we want to know.

Tuk Tuk Bakfietsen sells a basic unit starting form 495 Euro . The Tuk Tuk name is taken from a class of motorized tricycles popular in Thailand. The Dutch version is not motorized, but it is a tricycle.

The Tuk Tuk ‘Basic’ is equipped with: SRAM Spectro with 3 speed, coaster brake, a plywood cargo box with a bench and SRAM drum brakes. All Tuk Tuk trikes come with aluminum wheels and a powder coated frame. It seems from the photo to be tiller steering.

The Tuk Tuk Bakfietsen do look rather industrial, but at that price you would not expect it to have the style of a Zigo or Gazelle.

Bakfietsweb.nl is another provider of lower-priced bakfietsen. The Model 030 tricycle is 699 Euro, which includes a light color wooden box, 3-speed Shimano hub, and coaster brakes plus V-brake.

Bakfietsweb Tricycle

In two-wheeled Bakfiets they make several models, also with a wooden box and similar components on the cycle. It comes at two price points: 599 Euro and 699 Euro. He more expensive Model 020 LB is longer with a bigger box as compared with the Model 010 LB. We have also heard that Dutch bike maker, Dutch ID, has stopped production of their Bakfiets, called the Cargo XL, pictured below.

DutchID Bakfiets

And on the subject of Bakfiets manufactuers stopping production we have been informed that de Fietsfabriek stopped production due to financial problems but has now started up again.

It seems that in the country with more bikes than people (the Netherlands), there is naturally no shortage of choices in Bakfietsen.

Please let us know your opinions on these products. Which are good, which have problems, why some sell for 599 Euro and some for 3,000 Euro.

Please visit: Zigo Bakfiets

Zigo Leader Bakfiets - Converts to bike and stroller

This entry is filed under Carrier Bicycles/Bakfiets, Products and tagged bakfietsen, bakfietsweb.nl, Cargo Bike, Carrier Bicycle, de Fietsfabriek, DutchID, Gazelle cabby, Tricycle, tuk tuk bakfiets, Zigo.

Stroller Bike, Bike Stroller, Bike With Stroller, Strollercycle, Strollerbike…what should we call it?

By bmw_admin on November 8, 2010

Zigo Leader Bakfiets

With the proliferation of products such as the Zigo Leader Carrier Bike and the Taga Carrier, there has been an equal proliferation of terminology to describe these products. In Europe, the conventional term Bakfiets would cover it, or if you are in Denmark, Ladcykel. But in the U.S. the situation becomes more complex. The terminology ranges from Carrier Bike, which is favored by Zigo, to Stroller Bike, Bike Stroller, Strollercycle, and other even more cumbersome monikers. Sometimes Dutch Cargo Bike is used in the U.S. as equivalent to Bakfiets, but this does not seem widely adopted. In the United Kingdom, we must also take into account the usage of pushchair instead of stroller.

So here is the question: in the United States (and United Kingdom and English speaking world everywhere) what should we call these products?

Zigo Leader Stroller Bike

This entry is filed under Carrier Bicycles/Bakfiets, General, Products and tagged Bakfiets, Bike Stroller, Bike With Stroller, Cargo Bike, Carrier Bicycle, carrier bike, dutch cargo bike, Ladcykel, Stroller Bike, Strollercycle, taga, Utility Bicycle, Zigo.

Which Bakfiets Dominates in the Netherlands?

By bmw_admin on November 8, 2010

Zigo Leader Bakfiets or Ladcykel

Bakfiets.nl versus Babboe.nl versus de Fietsfabriek versus Other

Bakfiets.nl

We are actually looking for some feedback here. We have seen quite a few Bakfiets (Bakfietsen, I suppose) in the Netherlands, and Amsterdam in particular, and would like to know which one is actually the market leader. We would also like to hear about the differences among them–both real and perceived. Bakfiets.nl seems to be the 1000 pound gorilla in the Dutch cargo bike market. Bakfiets.nl makes the CarboBike Lang, CargoBike Corte, and CargoBike Premium, which range in price from 1465 Euros to 1829 Euros, and vary by type of hub, brakes an level of trim. Bakfiets.nl also makes a Cargo Trike and a Cargo Trike L (L is for Large).

Babboe City

Babboe on the other hand, offers the Babboe City for just 849 Euros, and the Babboe Big 3-Wheel for 749 Euros. The Babboe city comes with a Shimano Nexus 7 speed gear. They also make a model called the Rabobank – Babboe City and According to Mamma – Babboe City.

de Fietsfabriek F22

de Fietsfabriek is another classic Ducth Bakfiets brand. They make quote a few models, including the Troy for 1995 Euro, the 994 for 1495 Euro, the 995 for 1495 Euro, the 995 for 1595 Euro.the FF16 tricycle for 1995 Euro, and the FF22 tricycle for 3750 Euro.

There are of course other sellers of Bakfietsen, but these brands one see a lot of around the city. Please help us understand the large price difference between Bakfiets.nl, Babboe.nl, and de Fietsfabriek Please send us your comments about the differences between these Bakfietsen, as well as your ideas about what the “perfect Bakfiets” should be.

Zigo Leader Stroller Bike

This entry is filed under Carrier Bicycles/Bakfiets, Products and tagged Babboe, Babboe City, Babboe.nl, Bakfiets, Bakfiets.nl, bakfietsen, CargoBike, CargoBike Corte, CargoBike Lang, CargoBike Premium, carrier bike, de Fietsfabriek, dutch cargo bike. | 3 Comments

Is San Francisco the next Amsterdam?

By bmw_admin on October 29, 2010

U.S. soon to look like Europe?

Zigo Leader Bike Stroller

Bakfiets Long

Despite its hilly terrain, San Francisco is quite the biking city with shops now offering bakfietsen, including short bakfeits, long bakfiets, tricycle bakfiets, the Gazelle Cabby, and of course the American Bakfiets–the Zigo Leader Carrier Bike.

It is quite remarkable to see these Dutch style bikes and utility bicycles, more typical of Amsterdam or Copenhagen, now multiplying in U.S. cities including New York, Portland, and San Francisco.

Also we see now more classic Dutch-style commuter bikes, like those from Batavus, Retrovelo, and Workcycles, emphasizing our new European modeled bicycling culture.

We have also commented in other posts on the proliferation of ciclovia events in U.S. cities, including Oakland, New York, Baltimore, and others. We look forward to seeing this quite rolling revolution continue.

Zigo Leader Stroller Cycle

This entry is filed under General and tagged bakfieten, Bakfiets, Cargo Bike, ducth bike, Utility Bike, Utility Cycling, workcycles, Zigo.

Ciclovia Returns to Baltimore

By bmw_admin on October 26, 2010

Zigo Leader Carrier Bicycle System

New Expanded Route

Ciclovia in Baltimore

For the second year in a row, Baltimore will host a ciclovia–a day when streets are closed to cars and open only to bicycles and pedestrians. Roland Avenue will be closed, as well as a second street, 33rd Street between Druid Hill Park and Lake Montebello.

The ciclovia, to be held October 31, was first organized by the Roland Park Civic League as “Sunday Streets” on Oct. 23, 2009. The event has grown, as have many similar events accross the United States, including Summer Streets in New York City. This year’s Baltimore Ciclovia is being co-sponsored by the Mayor’s Office of Neighborhoods, making it a city event. In the future, there may be as many as four such events each year. The BMore Streets for People Coalition, a group of community and business leaders, is working with the city to sponsor such a series of Sunday morning ciclovias.

The ciclovia will take place from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. The Roland Avenue route will connect with the 33rd Street route. Ride ‘em if you got ‘em.

See: http://www.explorebaltimorecounty.com/entertainment/108457/second-ciclovia-will-be-held-roland-avenue/ for more details.

Zigo Leader Carrier Bicycle System

This entry is filed under General and tagged Baltimore, Bicycle Events, ciclovia.

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CarrierBike.com

Bakfiets in New York City

Where to buy a bakfiets in the United States

WorkCycles Cargo Bike

De Fietsfabriek – Where are they now?

Urban Arrow – New Electric Bakfiets

More on Bakfietsen in Amsterdam

Stroller Bike, Bike Stroller, Bike With Stroller, Strollercycle, Strollerbike…what should we call it?

Which Bakfiets Dominates in the Netherlands?

Is San Francisco the next Amsterdam?

Ciclovia Returns to Baltimore

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