Similar to the distorted notion that cycling and its extensive (read: smart) infrastructure are exclusive to Amsterdam (au contraire, it’s even better outside the capital), I’m equally aware that lots of visitors take away the impression that the Dutch only ride on so-called ‘beaters’ (I acknowledge I may have contributed to that notion just a bit). Sure, for our day-to-day trips (called ‘commutes’ outside these low lands) to work, the shops, school, friends, the park, etc, a lot of the A’dam natives pragmatically rely on less than swanky two wheelers. Still reliable enough, serving their purpose (getting you from A to B), high theft rates (despite its apparent decline) are still the dominant incentive for most to ‘dress down’ or actually ‘dress up’ and personalize their cycling presence, often to a point that can easily be described as contemporary art (you’ve seen the pics, right?).
A while ago I mentioned the Dutch citizens-to-bikes ratio (16.5 million to 18+ million) and the fact that the Dutch approach to cycling doesn’t mean people aren’t really interested in sparkling new bikes.
Now, with that as a backdrop, the latest bike sales figures for the Netherlands are in, starting off with a telling headline: Dutch Continue Buying New Bicycles
The most important quotes:
“Bicycle sales in the Netherlands are up. At about the same prices, the turnover in the past two years and the first quarter of this year has grown. This is evident from Monday’s figures of the Central Bureau of Statistics (CBS).”
“In 2006 turnover increased compared to the previous year by as much as 15 percent. In 2007 it was again achieved, this time by 9 percent.”
“In total, according to the RAI last year 1.4 million new bikes sold nearly 80,000 units more than a year earlier.”
“The first quarter of this year’s turnover was more than 3 percent higher than in the same period a year earlier. That bodes well for the second quarter, because according to the CBS traditionally it’s the best selling period for bicycle shops.”
“Although the prices of bicycles have predominantly remained at the same level, more expensive bicycles have clearly become more popular.”
“The high fuel prices (* averaging $10 a gallon in the Netherlands), according to the CBS, do not affect bicycle sales. “Distances up to 10 kilometers will be cycled, beyond that people still prefer the car.”
“The luxurious bikes are intended primarily for leisure time.”
* my insert
WHAT TO DO NOW?