-Chain guard
-Fenders and mudflaps
-Internal drum brakes
-Internal three or 8 speed hubs
-Dynamo/generator lights
-Sturdy
-Comfortable
-Large load carrying capacity
-Reasonably fast
-Priced well under a thousand bucks

In the Netherlands they cost between 500 and 600 Euros (ca. $750-900). Importing makes them ridiculously expensive (as the Dutchbike company in Seattle proves) If someone would start making these quality bikes here, price could come down and make them more affordable.

You hit the nail on the head with your last sentence: it’s perceived safety that is the problem, not safety. Unless Pittsburgh is some sort of statistical anomaly, you are already safer on your bike than in a car–and safer from cars on the road than on the sidewalk. It’s just that a near miss is scarier on a bike than in a car, where we might not even be aware of it. Not that it wouldn’t be great if cycling were even safer, but if the danger of being in a car doesn’t keep people off roads, the lesser danger of being on a bike really shouldn’t, either.

Maybe the big bike companies should quit funding helmet ads, and start funding PSAs whose message is “oh my god! you ride in a car! don’t you value your safety?” alternating with “bikes should obey the traffic laws. if you follow the rules of the road and exercise due caution, you’re safer there than in a car.”

Oh, and regarding drop handlebars: i’m not surprised you don’t find them comfortable, because they have the same exact problem most flat bars do: all the hand positions are either perpendicular to the long axis of the bike, or parallel to it. My contention is that most (not all, but most) people’s relaxed hand position when their arms are in front of them is somewhere between these two extremes. For me, it’s at about a 45deg angle. Yet both of the most common types of handlebars don’t provide any hand positions that match this. I think that’s what’s driving the rise in popularity of all the “weird” handlebars, all of which (except ramhorns) share this characteristic: moustache, northroad, albatross, dove, randonneur, h-bar, butterfly, etc. What’s holding back greater adoption is shifters and brake levers optimized for the two traditional shapes–i have drop bars right now, because setting up albatross bars so that i have a brake lever under my fingers at all points is a real pain. I may yet switch, nonetheless.

Ideal commuter for the new cyclist/commuter.

- Cheap ($500 max. still the magic price point)

-Chainguard, kickstand, front and rear blinkies included.
-Computer included (some of the newbies may be amazed at how fast they are going or how many miles they have racked up; it was a great encouragement for me)

- Efficient as possible, rolls fast (700 wheels, 28c to 32c for comfort)
(Needs to be able tackle hills even if person is just of moderate fitness) that means wide gearing, At least a 1 x 9 with a 32 in back.
- If it is going to come with a rack it should come with pannier/grocery bag or something they can get for under $30
- Fenders can be optional, because most newbies probably won’t ride in foul weather…free lock and rack would be more appealing
- Free lessons on how to lock bike and ride in traffic.

It is astronomically easier and more likely that you will be able to sell more to a customer you already have, than it is to find and close new customers.

Converting the lethargic republic into a vast armada of cyclists will be no easy feat. Certainly offering simplicity bikes, and making cycling appeal to the more proletarian masses is a good and divine goal.

My two local bike shops stock primarily racing and mountain bikes. Each shop has a dejected corner where a hybrid bike or two sits that the mechanics scoff at dejectedly. If the sex appeal that surrounds the ubiquitous racing bikes were used to promote everyday bikes perhaps there would be some change.

Until then they will most likely continue to thrive on the up-sell to the small, but already converted zealots of diocese of cycling.

Also gas hit 117.00 a barrel, maybe change is coming?

Girl Jen: My cousin and I have talked about this very thing. Something more “commuter friendly” that competes with the Walmart set. Also, it would have to have components that are workable. I know of a few LBSs here in SLC that won’t touch department store bikes because they are so labor intensive (ever tried replacing a BB on a Next bike? Good luck!).

Also, I think that a line of inexpensive, but fully customizable bikes would be sweet. For instance, budget lowriders and bikes that can have bling, but affordable bling. Does that make sense?