How the Netherlands became a bicycle nation

Users, firms and intermediaries, 1860–1940

Bibliographic Data

ID8419633
AuthorsSue-Yen Tjong Tjin Tai (Eindhoven University of Technology, corresponding author), Frank Veraart (0000-0001-6743-8232, Eindhoven University of Technology), Mila Davids (Eindhoven University of Technology)
Year2015
Volume57
Issue2
Pages257-289
Publication date2015-02-17
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessNo
TypeARTICLE
VenueBusiness History (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0007-6791 • E-ISSN: 1743-7938
PublisherInforma UK Limited (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1080/00076791.2014.928695
OpenAlexW2006852178
LanguageEN
Citations received6
References cited9

In 1925, the Netherlands was a country of cyclists and cycle producers, as all classes cycled and almost all cycles were produced domestically. The bicycle was not a Dutch invention and the country had an open economy, and this raises the question ‘how did the Netherlands become a bicycle nation?’ This article investigates the interactions of users, firms and intermediaries from 1860 to 1940 and how these impacted the bicycle, its production and its use. Furthermore, it analyses knowledge flows and the roles of intermediaries. It illustrates changes in activities and the relevance of interactions between users, firms and intermediaries, and the effects of World War I. It shows how user organisations created an infrastructure and culture which made cycling Dutch. Firms created a cartel which produced bicycles that were wanted and used by all Dutch, as they were made in the Netherlands

Business · Cartel · Collusion · Commerce · Economics · Economy · Industrial organization · Intermediary · Market economy · Political science · Production (economics · Relevance (law · American History and Culture · Law · Marketing · Sport and Mega-Event Impacts · Wine Industry and Tourism

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