The Battery Park at the tip of Manhattan will be using Acorn Cycles “bakfietsen” (Dutch for “bucket bikes”) to turn the park into a “green zone”, with less unnecessary green house gas emissions. By doing this the park wants to set the example for a sustainable solution for transportation in all US parks.

“Using bikes only takes just that little bit of extra effort and that’s an effort everybody who values nature is willing to take. If we permit even our parks to pollute, who else will set the example for a sustainable solution for transportation?” according to Acorn Cycles President.

With these Dutch bikes, Battery Park Conservancy President Warrie Price is working with Acorn Cycles towards a goal they share: “No trucks in Parks!”.

On The Battery Park Conservancy Annual Gala on Tuesday, June 9, 2009, 12.000 USD was raised to buy Acorn Cycles bikes. At the gala The Kingdom Of The Netherlands was honored with The Battery Medal For Cultural Heritage. The medal was received by Dutch Minister for European Affairs Frans Timmermans. 

After the opening in fall 2009 of the New Amsterdam Plein & Pavilion, that is being realized by a grant from the Dutch Government, the bikes will be used in the park for maintenance purposes and transporting supplies.

NYC Parks Commissioner Adrian Benepealso expressed his interest in the bikes: “everything good comes from the Battery”.

Left: Battery Park Conservancy President Warrie Price

Middle: NYC Parks Commissioner Adrian Benepe

Right: Acorn Cycles President Jochen Riester

Photo Credit: Malcolm Pinckney (NYC Parks & Recreation)

The Dutch Prime Minister Jan Peter Balkenende visited the Battery Park in September 2009.  During his visit he took a rest on the black leather of the Lepper suspension saddle of the Acorn Cycles “Beatrix” Battery Conservancy bakfiets.