Ballard’s own Dutch Bike Company is expanding to New York, and you can’t ask for a better announcement: a story in the New York Times:

“With 170 miles of new bike lanes in New York, it makes sense that the Dutch Bike Co. in Seattle should be opening a branch in the city this summer, its third in the United States (after Chicago). Already, traditional bicycles with upright seats, fenders and chain guards — so-called city bikes — are the biggest growth area at stores…”

It seems to be a match made in heaven: stylish retro bikes making a comeback in a down economy in a dense urban area. But these bikes aren’t cheap: running in the $1,500 range, which makes you wonder how New Yorkers will keep the crooks from cashing in. (Thanks LS for the link!)