Dutch bicycles since 1887

Over the past 130 years Dutch bicycles have been modernised, but they still keep their traditional characteristics of being sturdy, comfortable, low maintenance, practical, and ‘stylish’.

As a general rule, Dutch bikes have taller frames than other styles of bike which give them the upright or “sit-up” style.. ideal when you wish to view the scenery while out cycling.

For around 75 years, SIMPLEX were a major Dutch bicycle manufacturer (1887 till 1965) who were eventually taken over by another Dutch company (Gazelle), with the trade name then sold on to a German company during the 1970’s that manufactured industrial machinery **

It was during the mid-1890’s that the company relocated from Utrecht to Amsterdam, and during this period they formed a partnership with the Dutch artist Ferdinand Hart Nibbrig, who together came up with what is now considered the first advertising campaign for bicycles! – The ‘Simplex, Snel, Sterk’ logo (Simplex, Fast, Strong) is still a striking image with clever use of colours. The 2 images in this blog by Nibbrig date from 1895 and 1897.

By 1955, Simplex had sold their one millionth bicycle.. they then expanded the brand by eventually relocating to a different factory (Apeldoorn), but ten years on this move resulted in their collapse, before being taken over by the Dutch bicycle company Royal Dutch Gazelle.

** From the 1970’s onwards, Simplex in Germany is not to be confused with the Simplex Manufacturing Company (formed over in New Orleans, USA in 1935) who had made Servi-Cycles and motorbikes during the WWII period, and who had ceased trading in 1975.

Fun fact; Ferdinand Hart Nibbrig (born 1866) was not only an artist, but also a popular amateur racing cyclist, and as a painter he was one of the first to introduce luminism to other Dutch artists of that era.

A print of his ‘Simplex, Snel, Sterk’ advert used to be on display (top left window) at the HBT hub in Perth city centre.

HBT make use of Dutch manufactured Gazelle E-Bikes on all our tours across Highland Perthshire.

The original artwork by Ferdinand Hart Nibbrig is on display at the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam.. photo of Highland Bike Tours shop front by HBT