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Urban Velo contributor Andy Singer recently called me to ask if I knew anyone who imported Christiania Cargo Bikes to the United States. (If anyone knows, please post a comment below.)
Although I had heard a little about the amazingly well-engineered cargo bikes, I knew very little about their origins. Which led Andy to tell me a little about Freetown Christiania. The town, formerly a military base, is a car-free part of Copenhagen. Home to activists, pacifists and purveyors of alternative lifestyles, Chrisitiania is also the subject of much controversy (especially with regard to liberal drug use and resistance to government intervention).
Check out www.christianiabikes.com for more information.
“…resistance to government intervention…”
Hey, I already like these people!
I tried to import a Bella Cargo bike, they have a distributer in Canada. However, after it was all said and done it would have been around 4g’s! Don’t know anyone that imports Christiania. I bet they will drop ship you one across the pond…
Curbside cycle in Toronto has a Nihola that is similar to the Christiana. You’re still looking at about 4Gs though.
I import the Pashley Classic 33 from the UK to the USA and have them in stock. http://www.pashley.co.uk/products/classic-no-33.html
Loring
Had a meeting a few months back with a Dutch dude who wanted to import this type of bikes. I think we concluded it was a non-starter idea. Basically, it’s f@#king expensive and has a huge carbon stomp-print. Clever Cycles in Portland seems to have things buttoned down, if you want one Stateside, and that’s about it. Either order a comparable bakfiets style rig from them, or, you could just go to Bilkney or ANT and get one built domestically for the same or possibly even less than the cost of shipping one over (they ship assembled, meaning you’re loading a box slightly smaller than a mini cooper onto a cargo ship across the Atlantic, and then a truck or train if you’re on the west coast- nice carbon footprint!)
Dutch Bike Co. Seattle (in Seattle) also sells the Bakfietsen. They’re awesome.
I found the same location as ghd, you can visit http://www.dutchbikeseattle.com/html/bikes/bakfiets.html to find ordering information!
I have a Christiania in Boston, which I brought with me when I moved from London. The builders of Christiania trikes will not allow them to be exported to the US for liability reasons, unfortunately. I’ve written more about this here:http://andrewbikes.blogspot.com/2007/08/our-christiania-trike.html .
Finally somebody talk to the folks in DK…here is the link, christiania bikes in teh US this summer 2010!
http://boxcycles.com/index.php?splash=1
or http://www.boxcycles.com/blog/
I wonder how much they will go for…?
Well intentioned concerns about carbon footprints, however, the difference is only the container in moving across the Atlantic. Look around, you can find other ways to reduce carbon. If importing is a way to jump-start or just help create a keener sense of competition state-side then so be it.
check it out: http://www.boxcycles.com/
http://www.mindfulbike.com/ – these guys in Denver do