Batavus Motorcycles or just plainly Batavus, was founded in 1904 by Andries Gaastra, as a clock and sewing machine shop. Two years later, in 1906, Andries Gaastra decides to start selling a popular German Bicycle called the Presto. Batavus also started to manufacture their own bicycle and managed to sell more of their own than the large German brand.
By 1917, Andries Gaastra had acquired so much money that he bought a bicycle factory and continued to produce his own brand of bicycle. All would have been well if it were not for an economic crisis in 1930 that put a halt to his bicycle production.
Batavus, seizing the opportunity of the crisis and not willing to go defunct, moved their focus to the production of tricycles and motorcycles. The growth of Batavus increased over the next 10 years and in 1940 the Batavus factory floor had 120 employees.
Although Batavus had to close down during the war, when the peace treaty was signed and their doors opened once again, sales soared as the demand for bicycles increased.
Batavus released their first moped in order to counter the demand in 1948 which allowed them to open a new factory in 1956 with over 300 employees.
Although Batavus made tricycles, motorcycle and mopeds, they are most notably known for their bicycles. The few numbers of motor driven vehicles produced in Batavus's factory is evident today as there is very little information available on their motorcycle and moped production.
Today Batavu still produces bicycles and competes in international bicycle events but no mopeds or motorcycles have been produced in over 30 years.
Original Authors: Nicholas
Edit Update Authors: M.A.Harris
Updated On: 06/06/2008
