Omafiets

A modern Omafiets with reflective tyres

An opafiets or stadsfiets, the traditional roadster

An omafiets (Dutch translating to "grandma's bike") is the name of a traditional and popular form of roadster bicycle used in the Netherlands. In Frisia these bicycles are also called widdofyts (Frisian for "widow's bike"). Outside of the Netherlands these bikes are sometimes referred to as Dutch bikes.

Traditionally an omafiets bicycle is painted black and has a step-through frame of steel construction making the bike quite heavy by today's standards. The frame and handlebars give the rider a riding position which is very upright and the bikes have a single-speed gear. Its wheels are 28 x 1 1/2 (ISO 635), and they have black painted mudguards, with white-blazoning on the rear one, and a skirt guard to prevent skirts and dresses becoming entangled in the rear wheel or its spokes. For brakes omafiets have either a coaster brake or rod-actuated rim or drum-brakes, though they originally came with a front spoon-brake.

The step-through frame and skirt guard highlight the fact that the omafiets was originally designed for practical use for women whose dresses or skirts required such features, however both sexes can be found riding omafiets bicycles.

Today's variations on the traditional omafiets bicycles mean that such bikes may also come painted in other, often brighter, colours, may have aluminium frames, drum-brakes, and multiple gear ratios in a hub gearing system. However, they all conform to the same basic look and dimensions as the traditional omafiets bicycles.

The Opafiets

A similar type of bicycle is still popular in Holland called the opafiets (Dutch for "grandpa's bike") or stadfiets ("city bike")'. This generally has the same characteristics as the omafiets but has a "diamond" or "gents'" frame and is the same as the gentleman's English roadster.

See also

• Cycling in the Netherlands
• European city bike
• Roadster (bicycle)

External links

• www.rijwiel.net - Vintage Dutch Bicycles.
• www.dutchbikeguide.com- Dutch bike guide for the USA
• Civilized Riding – Interactive feature – NYTimes.com