The Princess of Bicycles
by Bonnie Alter, London 
on 05. 1.06
The Princess is the royalty of Pashley Cycles. Hand built since 1926 by a small English company, these bicycles are true classics. With just 28 employees and no assembly lines or conveyor belts, there is a pride of product reflected in the strength of design of the bikes. The Princess has high handlebars and lower seat positions which encourage a straight-backed ride. There is a sturdy mud and chain guard so that long skirts do not get caught--and a wicker carrier basket for flowers and bread. The majority of the company’s bicycles are work-bikes. The Royal Mail has its own specially commissioned model that accommodates mail in the rear and front. The Freightmate is good for heavy duty load carrying. For deliveries around congested downtown city streets, sandwich chain Pret a Manger uses courier bikes for its lunchtime orders and as do Domino’s Pizza. For children there is the Pickle, a small sturdy tricycle. As the Director, Adrian Williams says: “There seems to be a kick against the mass-produced. People are increasingly looking for originality, something that you can’t get anywhere else”. :: Independent
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All I can think is "poor doggy."
Where can one purchase a bicycle like this or similar in the U.S.?
What is so unique about these bike designs? Most bikes in The Netherlands look like this.
Sturdy bikes with large mud guards and the bike chain fully encased for protection.
You're going to have to bike a pretty far distance to entertain/occupy a Dalmation.
Now I feel slightly bad for never managing to ride a bike without landing on my head.
That picture was actually taken from a Disney movie...101 Dalmations...with Glenn Close
Breezer, makes very practical bikes that are sold in the USA http://www.breezerbikes.com/bikes.cfm .
The big companies Trek, Cannondale, etc usually have 1 or 2 practical models in their lineups, but most bike shops don't have them on the floor.
Pashleys are lovely; I had one in the UK. Built like (and weighed roughly the same as) a tank.
I agree with Dinther; utility cycling just doesn't happen in North America. These bikes shouldn't be hard to find, but for various crazy reasons, bikes are sports good here.
I have a breezer uptown that came with mud flaps and chain guards and lots of nifty little things like lights powered by the wheels and you can get them in the states. check breezerbikes.com. I have a handlebar basket by them and a coffee cup holder i got at http://www.somafab.com/morningrush.html and I feel like I'm riding a station wagon.
"There seems to be a kick against the mass-produced. People are increasingly looking for originality, something that you can’t get anywhere else."
Well, yes, for those who can afford it, the desire to set yourself apart from everyone else is indeed powerful. My question is, would people who buy these be buying bicycles anyway? If so, I don't care. If the "difference" is attracting people who would otherwise buy another car, that's something to write about.
My interest is not because it is not mass produced. I just want a sturdy no-nonense commuter bicycle like the old Raleigh we found at a yard sale for my daughter.
The Specialized Globe appears to be another model along these lines. However, finding a dealer in the U.S. that carries them may be a challenge.
I love the Pashley but it is not a practical bike. It's too heavy and they're aren't enough gears. The riding position is fine for riding around the block but is too inefficient for longer distances, riding against the wind, or climbing hills.
If only someone would make a bike with the good taste and class of the Pashley but would perform like a modern bike.
Here's a link to a bike that comes somewhat close to that description.
http://www.khsbicycles.com/08_urban_x_06.htm
It retails for $329 which is important. You don't want to be leaving a $2000 bike outside the library for a hours at a time.
Curbside Cycle in Toronto carries the Pashley line (as well as Breezer). We ship North America wide. They are absolutely gorgeous bikes to look at and ride.
Only one Pashley distributer in the US. North Road Bicycles www.northroadbicycle.com. It's a great store. Pashley bikes are the perfect bike for riding around town.
You can buy it from www.sundancecatalog.com
If you like Pashley you will LOVE the Victoria upright classic from Velorbis . check it out here: www.velorbis.com