Importance of simple everyday bikes

Welcome to 128.bike !
Today I would like to bring to attention a category of bicycles that are not in the spotlight and which are not mentioned at all these days.
These are the every day bikes that we use for going to work, to buy groceries, to do light recreation, to spend quality time with our family and so on.
Almost all media and companies focus on, are the high-end bikes and e-bikes with very expensive specifications and gear. At Eurobike trade show all we see recently are performance bicycles and software solutions. Companies there act as if they are not producing anything else.
But are these high-end bikes so important with the average bike rider?
I would argue not. Expensive bikes are ridden by minority bike lovers and advanced bike riders. In some countries more than others but still a small number compared to overall population. High end bikes do have better performance and technologies that help the riders go faster and jump higher, even look much better. But they tend to be complicated and not practical for every-day use.
So why did we sideline the bikes that are most important to our communities and most sold if we look at number of units?
Nobody can say for sure but it is probably because they are not prestigious. You can’t say: “our company is innovative and made an amazing 500 Euro bicycle”
And to think that a bike like this is used much more than any high-end bicycle and in tougher conditions. Most of them are ridden every day, in good and bad weather, you carry your children to kinder garden on them, you carry loads on them sometimes not even knowing you are exceeding the permitted rider weight. Many times, these bikes are ridden on the bad roads and infrastructure in the cities. It is a tool for life.
Yet their simplicity endures all we throw at them! It is amazing how companies manage to make such enduring bicycles for the retail prices that are low enough to be acceptable for average person.
When designing and making these bicycles it is important for them to be well-made because it will be most used bicycle in the customer’s house. No matter if they are a pro rider or just need a bike for getting around this bicycle will be used more than any other.
So my message, when making a bicycle like this one, would be to choose the good quality components carefully, design well and have a purpose of that bicycle in mind so that it is a simple to use and durable.
These kinds of bicycles must be light to carry around to apartments or garages, that they are strong, have well-made wheels and tires, good quality drivetrain is a must, comfy saddle, good -lighting for evening rides and mudguards for sudden wet rides. Additionally, strong and practical rear carrier in case a customer needs to carry their kids on the bike or move stuff around.
In conclusion we all need to give more credit to these every day bicycles for making life of our customers better and please do make them look good!
Thank you for your attention and enjoy using your everyday bicycle!

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