a Dutch utility bicycle

A utility bicycle is one which is designed for a practical purpose, as opposed to "sport bicycles" which are designed for recreation and competition, such as touring bicycles, racing bicycles and mountain bicycles. Dutch utility bicycle - from Polish wikipedia Description: A Dutch utility bicycle (Pointer Corzano) Taken: 25/09/2004 Photographer: --Brosen Copyright status: Tagged PD on Polish page This image has been released into the public domain by the copyright holder, its copyright has expired, or it is ineligible for copyright. ... Dutch utility bicycle - from Polish wikipedia Description: A Dutch utility bicycle (Pointer Corzano) Taken: 25/09/2004 Photographer: --Brosen Copyright status: Tagged PD on Polish page This image has been released into the public domain by the copyright holder, its copyright has expired, or it is ineligible for copyright. ... A touring bicycle is a bicycle designed for long-distance travel, and especially bicycle touring. ... a racing bicycle A racing bicycle is a bicycle designed for racing on roads according to the rules of the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI). ... A mountain bike in the forest Freeriding on a Hardtail freeride bicycle A full suspension Mountain Bike A rider during a Cross Country race A mountain bike, mountain bicycle or ATB (All Terrain Bicycle) is a bicycle designed for riding off-road, either on dirt trails or other unpaved environments...

Utility bicycles are used for short-distance commuting, for running errands, shopping and sometimes promotion. They have been used for courier service in wars and to get around such large workplaces as large factories, warehouses, airports and movie studio lots. Utility bicycles often feature a step-through frame so they can be easily mounted, hub gears and drum brakes to reduce the need for maintenance, mudguards to keep the rider's clothing clean, a chain guard to prevent skirts or loose trousers from being caught in the chain, a prop stand so it can be parked anywhere, and a basket or pannier rack to carry personal possessions or shopping bags. Additionally they tend to boast strong rims/wheels and thick spokes. The handlebars are almost always curved and quite high so that an upright anatomically correct and comfortable riding position is achieved. Some people add a child seat or a trailer. 8-Speed hub gear by Shimano Hub gears or internal gears are a type of gear system used on bicycles. ... A drum brake is a brake in which the friction is caused by a set of shoes or pads that press against the inner surface of a rotating drum. ... For the locomotive, see Pannier tank locomotive A pannier is a basket, bag, or similar container, possibly large, and carried either in pairs slung over the back of a beast of burden, or attached to a bicycle or motorcycle. ... A bicycle rack is a device to which a bicycle can be securely attached to prevent theft. ... A bicycle wheel is a wheel for a bicycle. ... Handlebars usually refer to the steering mechanism for bicycles and motorcycles; the equivalent of a steering wheel, though used in conjunction with the riders balance or centre of gravity to steer. ...

These parts and features mean a good utility bike is not only functional and durable but usually comfortable and versatile as well.

The utility bicycle is the most widely used form of bicycle in many parts of the world, but in most industrialized nations motor vehicles replaced bicycles for personal transport in the 20th century and the reduced availability of utility bicycles led people to adopt sport bicycles for tasks for which utility bicycles are better suited. A few countries, notably the Netherlands and Denmark, are exceptions to this rule. (19th century - 20th century - 21st century - more centuries) Decades: 1900s 1910s 1920s 1930s 1940s 1950s 1960s 1970s 1980s 1990s As a means of recording the passage of time, the 20th century was that century which lasted from 1901–2000 in the sense of the Gregorian calendar (1900–1999 in the...

There seems to be a resurgence of these bikes in Western countries, bikes such as the Kronan are being sold briskly.

See also: bicycle messenger Bicycle messengers (also known as cycle couriers) have carried packages by bicycle for more than a century, but it wasnt until the 1980s and 1990s that bicycle messengers became cultural icons. ...