Modes of transport can become emblematic of a country, embodying national pride and inspiring an almost fanatical following.

Think of Italy and Ferrari. The United States and the Mustang. The Netherlands and...the piece of crap city bike.

A sustainability icon

When it comes to sustainability, the most sustainable version of any product is the one you already have (with the exception of inefficient electronics or products that directly use fossil fuels, but even then it isn't always clear cut). Buying new inevitably means resources being used, and your old product needs to be disposed of, so it's better all round if you make sure to use what you have until it's beyond repair.

With their simple, single-speed construction and durable materials, a Dutch city bike doesn't have much that can go wrong with it, and the result is a bike that can last years, even decades, with just some simple maintenance and the occasional spare part.

Cleaner air, healthier citizens

Beyond its durability, the classic Dutch bike is sustainable in one more very obvious way: it doesn't burn fuel. In the 9 years I've had it, my heavy, rattling, rusty Cortina Transport has carried me thousands of kilometres around my home city of Groningen, from daily commuting to leisure rides out into the countryside.

The Netherlands in general (and Groningen in particular) makes cycling an obvious choice. With a safe, smooth and comprehensive bike path network, priority at traffic lights, ample bike storage, and flat terrain too, it's a no-brainer to take the bike (even aside from the fact that the city centre is designed to be unfriendly to cars).

The Grote Markt in Groningen on a summer evening.

The results speak for themselves:

1. Groningen has the 2nd best air quality in the Netherlands
2. It also has best quality of life in the Netherlands and 3rd best in Europe overall
3. The Netherlands has one of the lowest obesity rates in the EU.

It's not all down to the bikes, naturally, but the bikes certainly help.

The logic behind the junk

Now, you might be sold on the benefits of biking, but wondering to yourself, "Why does the bike have to be a piece of garbage?"

In my opinion, there are two reasons for it. Firstly, many Dutch folks treat their bikes as tools, not fashion statements or status symbols. The Netherlands is a thrifty place, and picking up a solid second hand bike for a couple of hundred Euros (or often less) is an attractive alternative to buying new.

Secondly, bike stealing is almost a sport for a certain segment of the Dutch population, so if you want to keep your bike, you better get a good lock to go with it. Bike theft is extremely common, and many people will tell you- if your bike gets stolen, just go out and steal another one.

With that in mind, it's not always attractive to go out and spend a lot of money on something that might disappear in the night.

But times are changing

While the city bike is a cultural icon and mainstay of Dutch life, it isn't without challengers. Electric and power-assisted bikes are becoming more and more common, and it isn't hard to see why.

Cycling can be hard work when the wind is in your face (and, as every Dutch person knows, it's always in your face), and an electric bike can be life-changing for those who are elderly or less able to tolerate the physical exertion. They can also be extremely convenient if you live in a village, too, enabling kids and adults alike to travel further and with less effort.

These changes aren't without controversy (say "fat bike" to a Dutch person and watch their eyes darken), but they're happening regardless, and the pace of change is increasing year-on-year.

For now, though

It remains to be seen how these changes will impact the health and fitness of the Dutch population, but time will tell, and I'm sure plenty of people are already pondering the implications.

In the meantime, you'll find me out and about in Groningen on my trusty single-speed Cortina Transport. Out of my desire to do the sustainable thing, and a big pinch of nostalgia too. You'll hear me before you see me, though, because this rusty old bike is a piece of crap.

My trusty Cortina Transport, out in the Dutch countryside, in less rusty times.