On February 2nd, we posted “Riding Through The Tariffs,” exploring how Canadian bikes connect with European trading partners to ease gridlock. Many are probably Googling “bikes made in Canada” right now, but if you’re after a city bike, Canadian bike retailers often look to Europe. Canada is known for exporting top-tier road and mountain bikes to the world, but we generally prefer city bikes from Europe’s well-established bike scene. Thankfully, Canada’s free-trade relationships with Europe and the UK make that easy. So, if you feel it’s your duty shop Canadian or want a city bike imported duty-free, here’s a fun list to start your search!

 

Europe/UK – City Bikes

Why start here? Because Canada doesn’t yet make a standout city bike. As cycling got pushed to the suburbs, it couldn’t keep up as a daily transport option. For now, we look to our EU and UK trading partners – with whom Canada has free trade agreements – and who have mastered city bikes. We’re all about Brompton for folding city bikes, and Bullitt and Black Iron Horse for cargo. A Brompton folds up small, so it’s safe from theft, while a Bullitt is super lightweight and highly versatile. Black Iron Horse makes the best trike using Ackerman steering rather than turntable steering.

  • Brompton

    • Proof that the biggest things come in small packages. The new G-Line is revolutionary. 
    • Origin: London, UK
    • Current Location: London, UK
    • Manufacturing: London and Sheffield, UK

  • Bullitt

    • Probably the best cargo bike ever made featuring epic punk rock vibes. 
    • Origin: Copenhagen, DK
    • Current Location: Copenhagen, DK
    • Manufacturing: Taiwan and Denmark

  • Black Iron Horse

    • Probably the best cargo trike ever made. 
    • Origin: Copenhagen, DK
    • Current Location: Copenhagen, DK
    • Manufacturing: Copenhagen, DK

  • Urban Arrow

    • The Dutch minivan! Heavy, but super high quality.
    • Origin: Amsterdam, NL
    • Current Location: Amsterdam, NL
    • Manufacturing: Asia

  • Riese & Muller

    • German engineering at luxury prices.
    • Origin: Darmstadt, Germany
    • Current Location: Darmstadt, Germany
    • Manufacturing: Germany

  • Gazelle

    • Heavy but practical Dutch bikes that have stood the test of time
    • Origin: Dieren, NL
    • Current Location: Dieren, NL
    • Manufacturing: Dieren, NL

  • Cube

    • Great city bikes from a European giant 
    • Origin: Werbach, Germany
    • Current Location: Werbach, Germany
    • Manufacturing: Werbach, Germany

 

Canadian – Non City Bikes

Want to feel proud to be Canadian? We’re known for hockey and maple syrup, but we’re also famous for our bikes. Owning a Cervélo, Argon 18, or Devinci makes people everywhere swoon. While most of these bikes are made in Asia, Canadian trade protectionism adds duties – 13% on non-e-bikes, though e-bikes are duty-free. Why? Because e-bikes came after trade protections were no longer needed. In this time of tariffs that seems weird, right? The fix? Eliminate all the duties and get more people riding!

  • Brodie

    • Paul Brodie is a Canadian legend and his bikes are timeless
    • Origin: Vancouver, BC
    • Current Location: Minneapolis, MN
    • Manufacturing: Asia and Canada

  • Norco

    • Canada’s version of the Trek Bicycle Company
    • Origin: Vancouver, BC
    • Current Location: Vancouver, BC
    • Manufacturing: Asia

  • Devinci

    • Many bikes still made in Canada. Exceptional quality. Our go-to faves. 
    • Origin: Chicoutimi, QC
    • Current Location: Chicoutimi, QC
    • Manufacturing: Asia and Canada

  • Rocky Mountain

    • Once a Vancouver legend, recently under credit protection.
    • Origin: Vancouver, BC
    • Current Location: Saint-Georges, QC
    • Manufacturing: Asia

  • Opus

    • House brand of Montreal Parts Supplier OGC. 
    • Origin: Montreal, QC
    • Current Location: Montreal, QC
    • Manufacturing: Asia

  • Argon 18

    • The new Canadian darlings, recently in the Tour De France
    • Origin: Montreal, QC
    • Current Location: Montreal, QC
    • Manufacturing: Asia

No Longer Canadian

  • Cervélo

    • A Canadian Tour De Force! Now in the hands of the Dutch.
    • Origin: Toronto, Canada
    • Current Location: Netherlands
    • Manufacturing: Asia

  • Kona

    • Once proudly Canadian. Lately in some financial trouble. 
    • Origin: Vancouver, BC
    • Current Location: Ferndale, WA
    • Manufacturing: Asia

Europe/UK – Non-City Bikes

Europe is the grand-daddy of road cycling. If you love a mix of heritage and cutting-edge tech, head to the old country for a bike with speed and personality. The best part? Many European brands are still made in the EU, meaning they enter Canada duty-free thanks to the CETA agreement. There are SO many companies producing bikes in Europe, so here’s a few of the ones most common in Canada.

  • Bianchi

    • Italian legends
    • Origin: Italy
    • Current Location: Milan, Italy (office in USA)
    • Manufacturing: Italy and Asia
  • Colnago
    • Another Italian legend
    • Origin: Cambiago, Italy
    • Current Location: Cambiago, Italy
    • Manufacturing: Italy and Asia
  • Scott Sports
    • Great bikes that never seem to plant deep roots with Canadian retailers
    • Origin: Switzerland
    • Current Location: Givisiez, Italy
    • Manufacturing: Asian
  • Canyon Bicycles
    • Sold direct-to-consumer but we have to admit they’re nice.
    • Origin: Koblenz, Germany
    • Current Location: Koblenz, Germany
    • Manufacturing: Asia
  • Orbea
    • Basque region beauties
    • Origin: Mallabia, Spain
    • Current Location: Mallabia, Spain
    • Manufacturing: Spain and Portugal.

Taiwan/Asia

Taiwan is where a lot of the world’s bikes are made, so it should be no surprise to find some of the world’s biggest companies there. We’ve focussed on the two most common companies seen in North America.

  • Tern
    • While we prefer cargo bikes to longtails, Tern makes a decent longtail
    • Origin: Tapei, Taiwan with offices in USA
    • Current Location: Tapei, Taiwan
    • Manufacturing: Asia

  • Giant Bicycles

    • The world’s biggest bike company.
    • Origin: Taiwan
    • Current Location: Taiwan
    • Manufacturing: Asia, Netherlands, and Hungary

No Longer USA

The Dutch are quietly taking over the bike world—and we’re all for it. Pon Group, which owns Urban Arrow and Gazelle, has started acquiring North American brands like Cannondale, Santa Cruz, and even Canada’s Cervélo. While the Dutch have a history of making bikes heavier, that hasn’t been the case here!

  • Cannondale

    • Once a USA legend, now in the hands of the Dutch
    • Origin: United States
    • Current Location: Netherlands (main office in USA)
    • Manufacturing: Taiwan and Asia

  • Santa Cruz Bicycles

    • Another USA legend, now in the hands of the Dutch
    • Origin: United States
    • Current Location: Netherlands (main office in USA)
    • Manufacturing: Asia

USA Based

While the USA dominates the North American bike industry, Canada still punches above its weight with bikes that Americans love. At Pedaal, we import European city bikes, so we find it’s interesting that many American city bike brands come from the car-culture of Los Angeles. Compared to places like Holland or Denmark, LA isn’t exactly a cycling hub or manufacturing center. That said, the USA did invent the longtail bike for carrying kids – an interesting creation, even if we feel European cargo bikes are safer.

  • Specialized Bicycle Components

    • Owned by Mike Sinyard, who has given to both Republican and Democratic causes
    • Origin: Morgan Hill, California
    • Current Location: Morgan Hill, California
    • Manufacturing: Asia

  • Trek Bicycle Corporation

    • Owned by John Burke, a registered Democrat
    • Origin: Waterloo, Wisconsin.
    • Current Location: Waterloo, Wisconsin.
    • Manufacturing: Wisconsin, Netherlands, Germany, Asia

  • Electra 

    • Owned by Trek. Famous for resurrecting the American Beach Cruiser. Great for cruising on beaches. 
    • Origin: San Diego, California
    • Current Location: Waterloo, Wisconsin.
    • Manufacturing: Asia
  • Surly and Salsa
    • From Minneapolis. Which makes them practically Canadian, right? 
    • Origin: Minneapolis, MN
    • Current Location: Minneapolis, MN
    • Manufacturing: Asia
  • Linus Bikes
    • Popularized city biking in America by reinventing the Dutch bike as something light and pretty. 
    • Origin: Venice Beach, CA
    • Current Location: Venice Beach, CA
    • Manufacturing: Asia
  • Yuba Bikes
    • The first company to mainstream the longtail bike. We still prefer Bullitt’s for good reason.
    • Origin: Oakland, CA
    • Current Location: Oakland, CA
    • Manufacturing: Asia
  • Benno Bikes
    • Probably the best USA designed longtail – if we had to buy a longtail.
    • Origin: Santa Monica, CA
    • Current Location: Santa Monica, CA
    • Manufacturing: Asia

In Conclusion

While Canada has long been recognized for its excellence in road and mountain bikes, when it comes to city bikes, we find ourselves looking across the pond to Europe. From the iconic Brompton folding bike to the ultra-practical Bullitt and Black Iron Horse cargo bikes, Europe’s bike makers have mastered the art of urban cycling. Whether you’re looking for a folding bike to tuck away or a sturdy cargo bike to handle all your gear, we have something that suits your city lifestyle. Let us help you make the most of your ride, no matter where it’s made!

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