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Image provided by David Schmidt, Dutch Bike Co.
Commuter bikes (aka city bikes, urban bikes in the US) are gaining ground on Chicago streets due to their comfortable upright design and utilitarian features. Besides, they‘re simply elegant in a vintage sort of way. Unless you’re a bike messenger, there’s absolutely nothing wrong with a leisurely, coasting commute to work in a suit or skirt—and a helmet, of course.
Commuter bikes come in a range of styles and prices. Dutch bikes seem to be the latest trend; however, the term “Dutch bike” in many contexts is actually a generic term. It’s simply a style of commuter that has been popular with northern Euros for years, as seen on sites like Copenhagen Cycle Chic and Amsterdamize.
For a bargain on a used commuter bike, head to Working Bikes, a non-profit volunteer organization that recovers donated and landfill-bound bikes, repairs them like new, and sells them on the cheap. Another option is the Electra Amsterdam 3-speed, which you can score at Rapid Transit. Caveat: They’re made in China. If that phrase leaves you cold and you have some cash to spend, try the Azor Opa 8-speed available at Dutch Bike Co. Chicago, built in Holland from frames made in Belgium / Holland. Needless to say, it’s important to find the bike that’s right for you, so do your research, talk to friends, and visit lots of bicycle shops before making a decision.
Still wondering if a city bike will suit your lifestyle? We spoke with co-owner of Dutch Bike Chicago, David Schmidt, for the scoop on commuter design. And we just had to ask his opinion on the future of bicycling in Chicago, too.
Chicagoist: What are the top 5 design components to look for in a commuter bike?
David Schmidt: To understand what makes a city bike different from a sport bike is to ask yourself what it is you intend to do. The first component often overlooked is what makes a bicycle comfortable. The experience of riding a bike should be, above all, based in the simplicity.
1. A relaxed geometry in the frame, allowing you to ride upright and able to breathe.
2. A comfortable saddle. We outfit our bikes with Brooks saddles, the sprung leather fits like a glove over time. Some customers love the feel of a gel saddle, so whatever fits you best make sure you spend time picking what fits you.
3. Gearing doesn't need to be complicated. The 3 or 8 speed internal hub is the ultimate solution to maintenance prone derailers. Gears are sealed and protected from the elements, there's ease of shifting while at a stop light and the ability to use a Chain Case.
4. Having internal hubs provides a chain that isn't required to travel, allowing you to enclose it in a chain case. The chain is totally sealed and will not rub on your pant leg and attract dirt and grease. Along with fenders, mud flaps and jacket guards, the ultimate city bike should allow you to ride in your suit over muddy roads.
5. Dynamo lighting systems—power your own headlamp and tail lamp with a hub dynamo. They have grown up considerably since you last had one. Very little resistance and very bright LED or Halogen lights make evening riding a pleasure.
C: There’s a quote on Copenhagenize that says “Forty years ago Copenhagen was just as car-clogged as anywhere else, but now 36% of the population choose the bicycle.” Do you think this could be Chicago some day?
DS: Chicago as a major American city is very far advanced with regards to accepting bicycles as a mainstream option to transportation. It’s important to realize a city the size of Chicago has more initial obstacles to cycling than a small college town, or many mid-sized cities, but the potential to introduce a far greater population to bikes makes all the difference in gaining the momentum to normalize cycling. Dutch Bike Co. felt compelled to come to Chicago because there is an inherent openness in the Midwest to building community, not just a “cycling” community. If there is indeed a true intention of getting 36% of Chicagoans on bicycles, we need to stop thinking that one needs to be a “cyclist” to simply ride a bike.
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Should go without saying, but fenders are a necessity on commuters.
These bikes are rad, but they cost a lot of money (over 1200 bucks in a lot of cases) and can weigh upward of 45 pounds. If you don't have somewhere to keep a Dutch style bike (like say, if you live in a walkup and don't have a bike room or garage or elevator) they aren't practical.
Also you should give props to West Town Bikes, who are opening a retail arm next month. Heads up.
"It’s important to realize a city the size of Chicago has more initial obstacles to cycling than a small college town, or many mid-sized cities, but the potential to introduce a far greater population to bikes makes all the difference in gaining the momentum to normalize cycling. Dutch Bike Co. felt compelled to come to Chicago because there is an inherent openness in the Midwest to building community, not just a “cycling” community. "
Too bad a good, important question from Chicagoist gained a bland, PR-processed quote that told me nothing new. I think traffic management is one of the main challenges Chicago will face over the next 10=15 years (along with other cities), and that making the city far more bike friendly is key to the effort. What would be great if more people, including this tool trying to sell you bikes, would offer a thoughtful response instead of a bland non-answer that helps nobody, nor provides any new insight. At least the person acknowledge the geographical differences, but any schmuck knows that already.
I'm 6'3 and find most bikes kind of awkward to ride. Dutch bikes are great though, much easier on my back and I don't feel as crunched up when I get to work. They are pricey, but you can get used ones and a good one (like Jorg and Olif) will last you longer than most cars. They're not that heavy either.
The only obstacle I find in biking in Chicago is the weather. I'm afraid I'll never be the guy out in the blizzard. It's hearty and all, but I've grown very used to not being dead.
If you are thinking about commuting via bike, I also think it's important to know about the hostility you will face from many drivers. I'm a cautious and responsible biker- I don't run lights/stop signs, I wear a helmet, I use hand signals- but I've seen a lot of anger directed towards me while on my bike, and it can be scary.
To reach the 36% figure, I think many chicagoans need an attitude adjustment.
Yeah, there are some jerks out there, but a lot of that isn't helped by some of the douche behavior I see bikers engage in.
I'm with you, I try to be cautious and considerate and generally cool to drivers and pedestrians alike. But the jags who weave in and out of traffic, lean on cars, cut through red lights, ride on the sidewalk (over the age of 13) aren't helping.
All you can control is your own behavior after all.
I think drivers are coming around, though very slowly, of course, at least from what I have seen and what some drivers and bikers have told me (hey, what else do I have to go on?). You have to give them time to get used to the increasing number of bikers, a new thing for many who have lived a while in Chicago. Good biker behavior also helps, as does police enforcement from time to time.
I'm a cyclist, but I'm disgusted by a lot of the behavior when I'm out on the roads, or even as a ped. I was walking to Jewel the other day, these two guys on road bikes, just guys probably going to the park or a bar or something flew through a stop sign and almost knocked me over. Those guys, as well as salmon (folks riding against traffic) need to be reeducated or get a little cop action going on.
I hear you. I walk more than anything--and I don't drive at all--and while drivers need to be much more mindful of rules, I never understood bikers who seem to joyfully break the rules. Granted, I think most bikers are mindful of the rules, and are careful around others, but don't those bad apples realize that breaking the rules simply makes acceptance of biking that much harder? I think most people would like to live in a city where more people could bike if they wanted to--at the least, it would get more cars off the road, reducing traffic, perhaps, for some drivers. But getting to that bike-friendly city requires good, sustained work from all involved.
Agreed, jennaNL. Speaking only for myself: I cannot accept Chicagoist's suggestion that biking for your commute could "[save] your sanity".
I love biking and like taking recreational rides on the weekend, but the thought of sharing the road during rush hour with aggressive motorists and aggressive messenger bikers (and their wannabe counterparts) is just too much for my sanity to handle.
So I walk, and am happy to do so. Thankfully the number of over-13 bikers on the sidewalk is low in Chicago; the only time I really have to worry about idiot bike and car drivers is when I'm crossing the street. Plus the walk clears my head after a long day at work.
RE: attitude adjustment
Been biking for years and no amount of "nice guy" awareness has affected the attitudes of Chicagoans in regards to biking. For whatever reason (and I'm a helmet-wearing, light shining, law abiding rider) there is a BAD ATTITUDE towards bikers.
Critical Mass doesn't help one bit either. Way to go out and advertise that bikers are total jerks. Thanks...
I find the biggest traffic offenders (in the loop for sure) are pedestrians - way beyond all bikers and cars combined.
The new traffic laws are a nice try but not going to keep me alive.
All I can say is that the more people commute to work every day like I do the more others see biking as THE alternative solution and, hopefully, more get on the "bikewagon".
OH, yeah, expensive dutch bikes? Go buy a used Raliegh for $50. I was asked to ride an expensive Dutch style bike for a company (because I ride to/from the loop every day) and said no simply on principal. Heavy and expensive - not recommended.
I agree ... in the Loop, at least, the pedestrians are the worst. They completely ignore all the signals, they step out in the middle of blocks without looking or, absurdly, looking the other way, and they stop in the middle of the street as if they dare you to run them down. I can't tell you how many times I've pushed through a pack of pedestrians on Franklin or Lasalle when I had the green light.
Yeah my commute is more stressfull than anything. It's pretty impossible to get to work without having at least one driver nearly hit you or cut you off. My commute takes place all West of Western Ave. though so I don't have the same experiences as those in more gentrified parts of town. Not many people on bikes where I ride.
I ride my Dutch bike everywhere, including to work everyday. It's fun and easy. Sure, there are stupid drivers, but my commute is much better than it would be on public transit or driving a car. For pedestrians, a simple bell-ringing usually does the trick.
For bibliogrrl, have you looked at a folding bike? I'm new to the whole commuter biking thing, but I love my folder.
If you don't have a bike room, they're great. I keep mine in the house, ride to the Loop, and then fold it and take it up to my office. No locking it up outside, which I count as a major plus.
The cons? Well, it's no speed demon, and it's not always easy to get a rack or other accessories that don't interfere with the folding. And they are more expensive, but not $1200 expensive (unless that's what you want!).
I got mine at Rapid Transit, but I know other bike shops have them. Hope this helps somebody.
For bibliogrrl, have you looked at a folding bike? I'm new to the whole commuter biking thing, but I love my folder.
If you don't have a bike room, they're great. I keep mine in the house, ride to the Loop, and then fold it and take it up to my office. No locking it up outside, which I count as a major plus.
The cons? Well, it's no speed demon, and it's not always easy to get a rack or other accessories that don't interfere with the folding. And they are more expensive, but not $1200 expensive (unless that's what you want!).
I got mine at Rapid Transit, but I know other bike shops have them. Hope this helps somebody.