What is a Dutch bike and what makes it special? Here is a little information to help you decide if a Gazelle is the bike for you.

What types of bikes does Gazelle specialize in?

Royal Dutch Gazelle's product line ranges from the most innovative city bikes, award-winning Innergy bikes, road, mountain and kids’ bikes, to the one and only original Dutch bike and old time favorite, the Tour Populair.

What are the specs and details of Dutch bikes that new cyclists should be aware of?Anne-Marij Berendsen, President of Gazelle Cycle Imports USA, says about riding a Dutch bike: “With a true Dutch bike it's all about ergonomics and comfort. You can sit upright and be a safe participant in traffic while having the perfect posture for your back and body. Being Dutch and getting around on bikes like my Gazelle all my life, I never paid much attention to this, while now living in the U.S. and hence trying out some American bikes I couldn't but notice the huge differences. For us, the Dutch, cycling is our primary way of getting around and the bikes are so low maintenance that we never have to give it much thought. It doesn't even matter what you're wearing.”

Of course this is a Dutch way of looking at it, so to give you a complete answer we also posed this question to Josef Bray-Ali from Flying Pigeon LA for his expert American opinion.

Josef: “With Gazelle, and most Dutch bikes, Americans are not clear on why these bikes are worth their dollars. That is, when it comes to the best city bikes in the world, Americans don't know what to look for – things that most Dutch people take for granted. Let's just tick them off: full fenders, upright riding position, completely covered chain, rear wheel lock, rear rack, included lights and bells, skirt guards, and the list goes on. I try to walk people through some of this stuff and present them with a little story or scenario to imagine themselves with a Dutch bike going about their everyday lives. Stopping at a cafe and locking the bike to itself, carrying groceries home on the rear rack from the farmers’ market, going to the movies or on a date in a dress or slacks and not having to worry about messy clothes or sweating. This fires up their imagination, and then all of a sudden every other bike sold in the U.S. doesn't really measure up!”


If you are an urban cyclist, what are the things that you should keep in mind?

As an urban cyclist you are a participant in daily traffic, so make sure you see what's happening around you, like you would when driving a car. Make sure you can do this comfortably on your bike without hurting your neck. Practice good seamanship on the road. Getting around on your bike should be easy after all. Only then you will do it everyday. You can make sure that you are comfortable with your bike by asking yourself questions like: How easy is it to lock and park your bike? Can you get around in your everyday/evening clothes? Do you carry groceries home? Take your kids around? Is it a quality product? If all answers are yes, all we can say is: Enjoy your rides!

Josef Bray-Ali’s take on riding a Dutch bike in the city is: “People can see what you're wearing, so don't be afraid to dress the part and ride these bikes. Take the lane! Don't be pushed around on the road – learn effective cycling techniques by starting off on small group rides around town.”