Nimbus
The Danish Motorcycle
This 1950 Nimbus motorcycle was bought already restored in Denmark by Peter Ørum. It arrived in the U.S. in 1988. Tragically, during a ride in the spring of 1990, Peter and his son Stig were driving the motorcycle when a motorist failed to heed a stop sign and struck Stig and Peter. Peter survived but Stig’s injuries were too grave. After the accident the motorcycle stood in a shed until Stig’s family and the Museum of Danish America had it restored.
The Nimbus is the most famous bike produced in Denmark. The bike, first produced in 1919, came to be used by military, police, and the postal service. Nilfisk, the manufacturer of the Nimbus, was also the creator of the first electric vacuum in Europe, and in 1959 they ceased producing motorcycles to focus on cleaning supplies.
Motorcycle
Denmark
1950
Steel, Rubber, Plastic
Gift of Peter Ørum
2010.014.001
Christiania Bike
The Christiania Bike represents modern trends in Danish transport. The versatile cargo bike, characterized by the large storage compartment in the front, was created as an alternative to car to make Christiania a car-free space in the middle of Copenhagen. This example is an electric model.
