The iconic bike behind Dutch two-wheel culture

In the Netherlands, no one will roll their eyes if they see you ride a bike that’s fully loaded with supermarket bags, carrying a kid at the back and a toddler in the front, or even if you’re peddling in a skirt or heels.

The country is, after all, famous for its eco-friendly bike culture, after a short-lived, post-WWII preference for cars declined, following child deaths in auto accidents and the oil crisis of the Seventies.

But other than current affairs and loss of life, it’s the unique features of the Dutch bike itself that anchors the country’s two-wheel culture.

So, in this video, we’ll explore the riding pluses offered by the popular upright ‘Omafiets’ – literally, ‘granny bike’ – that is designed for comfort, not sport, and is such a staple for cyclists in the Netherlands.

View the original video here.

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