Originally Posted by
I-Like-To-Bike
Doubtful if a bakfiet could ever pay for itself in home use, rather than commercial use. An exception would be if you used it to replace a second car that was used exclusively for short shopping trips near home that involve many packages and/or children. Even then a bike trailer combo makes better economic sense.
It should make a nice, though expensive conversation piece when meeting strangers on the bike path or at the Whole Foods Store, even better than walking a cute dog.
Your ongoing concern regarding the cost/benefit equation in Bakfiet ownership made me undertake some research. I actually live rather near Clever Cycles in Portland, OR the main source of all the Dutch bicycles in use in the entire city. But that's not where I went, of course. It would appear from some initial sleuthing, that a new Bakfiets can be obtained for around 1200 EUR. I've already done the USD conversion on your behalf: $1338 USD. I don't know... that does not seem to be a stupendous amount of money for the socio-economic demographic that utilize this option. I don't think many of them need a second or even primary automobile but I have to think that a family in a position to keep two cars on the road could EASILY add a bakfiets to the budget without it being an either or situation. Even if I am missing something (like shipping, import duties, etc.) and a Bakfiets is closer to $3000 USD. I think they would still (and do) have many enthusiastic customers. Second hand they probably would be under $2000 USD. But there are other options, to wit:
A Guide To Buying A Bakfiets (Part 2) - A Dutch View