I will agree with the completely new and distinct sentiment, as long as it doesn't sway too far into the category of change for the sake of change. If steel tubes are the best realistic choice to ride around the city, then that's what I want. There are good reasons why bikes (and hammers and coffee cups and socks...) haven't needed any drastic improvement on the consumer level in recent years.

How much has the Dutch style city bike changed in the last 50-60 years? Not much beyond modern components.

All that being said, I'm not opposed to there being the high end racing stuff. There is a place for it. It's just frustrating when that is where so much of the focus is placed and then shoe horned into places it doesn't fit.