Everyone, and I mean everyone, has a bike in Denmark. They’re used so much that every city has it’s own bike lane and, more often than not, you see bike lanes on highways. While it’s true that in the U.S. there’s a lot of bike friendly cities, what I think is different about European bikers is the fact that they don’t get into sportswear to ride them. You see girls in dresses and high heeled shoes, gentleman dressed in suits going to market, going to work, or going home. It’s a way of life that I happen to quite like.
When I looked for a bike last fall I was extremely frustrated with what was available. I wanted a European bike that was simple, stylish and easy enough to get around. I also wanted a basket, which in Europe is very common but in the U.S., seen as “girly” or not practical.
I ended up buying a bike but returning it only months later. It just wasn’t what I had envisioned. I thought perhaps getting a bike on this side of the water might prove impossible. Then, I discovered Jorg and Olif Bikes. In. Love.
Though I haven’t purchased it nor have I seen it in person, I can say that this is the bike for me (it also helps that it’s on sale this month!). Dutch designers living in Vancouver, Canada have come up with a bike that’s got the European aesthetic down pact but is also very practical (Vancouver isn’t the flattest city in the world!). What I also love is that it’s a small company that has this to say about itself:
The jorg&olif collective embodies the essence of modern living by taking a modest, conscientious, design driven approach to building a company. The two partners – Rob and Jane – continue to develop the brand based on vision, fun, and good old-fashioned hard work. Did we mention fun?
Never did I want to ride a bike so badly!
at 6:59 pm
My husband and I fell in love with those bikes too and we’re totally going to get some this month since they’re on sale! I want to get the basket and the brown leather seat. CUTE!
at 7:10 pm
It’s so funny that this post came up when it did.
I’ve been playing with the idea of getting a bike. My husband thinks I won’t use it very much…that I’ll get bored riding along our street (we live out in the middle of nowhere)…but I don’t want to venture across to Hwy One…dangerous for a novice. But I LOVED riding my bike as a kid, and can’t think of a better form of exercise!
I’ve thought about the Cruzers that are around here in Santa Cruz, but I just LOVE the look of the bike from Amelie and all the bikes from Anne of Green Gables…maybe I’m just made for a different time and place. : ) So these bikes are just what I was looking for!
Now…here’s the problem … the cost. What do you think I could do about this? Any ideas?? Thanks!
at 6:59 pm
Those bikes are indeed lovely. And I am very tempted by that sale. They import them from Holland and they are just the dreamiest. That said, I’m not sure if they are really as practical for Vancouver streets, particularly if you’re anything of a commuter — even a non hard core one like me who commutes in boots and dresses. I suspect you’d really want the 8 gear model here at least for that kind of cycling and that’s just a bit too much to spend i fear. I’ve been meaning to strip my bike and paint it a simple cream colour and I think with my lovely basket it will have to do.
at 8:39 pm
I bet if we rode bikes a little more in the US, obesity would never be an issue. Remember the memories of learning to ride your bike for the first time… Now, its replaced with learning how to turn on your motorized scooter! I think im going to have to take a look at these bikes on sale! Thanks!!
at 5:28 pm
I live in Holland, we have even more bike-lanes than in Denmark (my in-laws live in Denmark). I ride my bike to work everyday (most of the time wearing a skirt and boots with high heals). The minute ride keeps me fit!
The Jorg&Olif bikes look charming. If you really want to use your bike to commute, visit friends etc. I think you should buy your bike at a store where they allow to test it. I remember that I found it hard to maneuver my oma bike (the same model as the Jorg&Olif bikes). If you want to use it in the city (and even more important for a city with no bike lanes)you want a bike that is easy to handle, want to make sure that you can reach the ground etc.
And please go for the model with 8 gears, you will regret it if you don’t.
at 3:54 pm
There’s a bicycle at Anthropologie.com that I covet. It’s got a huge basket that begs to be used for carting around goodies.
If ony I weren’t so afraid of biking in NYC traffic…
at 5:04 pm
Hannie, I totally agree with testing it out first. Might have to make a trip to Vancouver…!
Kim, I have seen the Anthropologie bike and I have to say, it’s actually pretty strange to manuever. The bar across the top makes mounting the bike tough if you’re short or wearing a dress. But the basket? Divine!
at 3:55 pm
This is such a strong memory for me, this photo. I took one that is almost the exact same photo, except I took it vertically, so the red roof is also shown. I took it in Ronne, in Bornholm when I went for a weekend with my ancient viking uncle, Thorvald, and aunt, Vabs when I was 16. It then became my signature photo for a time, and I made numerous copies and sent them (totally unsolicited!) to family and friends. Thank you for this beautiful image to bring back wonderful memories. It is a magical land.
at 4:30 pm
thanks, everyone, for your glowing reports on jorg and olif bikes. now, as I say to my friends who tell me to “have a nice day”, I ask you: “HOW do I have a nice day, or rather, HOW do I order one?”
http://www.jorgandolif.com is “under construction”. no help there.
thanks, david
at 8:42 am
I think, unfortunately that they are out of business. It’s really sad, they were a great company. I got a bike last year from them that I love really deeply. I just went online to look for accessories now that the season has started and the site is down and the phone number doesn’t work anymore….
Really sad, these are incredible bikes, and they were a great company with really great service.