Our history
Christiania – a former military area in the middle of Copenhagen – stood deserted when the military left it. In 1971, the place was taken over by a group of people with a different vision for the neighborhood. They named the areaChristianiaand created a framework for an experimental and alternative community.
Just one year later, in 1972, Landsbysmedjen was founded by Lars Engstrøm and his friends Jesper, Kjeld, and René. The four entrepreneurs began modestly, manufacturing wood-burning stoves from old oil drums and steel plates they found at the town's scrap yards. Transportation was carried out using old cargo bikes from the war – a simple but essential tool that would soon take on greater significance.
From the outset, Christiania decided to be a car-free neighborhood. This sparked the imagination: How else could children, groceries, building materials, and everything else that belongs to a vibrant urban community be transported? The answer was bicycles and trailers. The smithy therefore threw itself into producing sturdy bicycle trailers. The first ones were built on old bed frames – crude but functional. Over time, the design was improved, the materials replaced, and production became more professional.
The bicycle trailers quickly became an indispensable part of everyday life in Christiania, but word also spread outside the ramparts. More and more people became aware of the practical and durable trailers, and demand grew. At the same time, the foundation was laid for a small business – a business that was officially registered in 1978 and would later develop into what we know today as Christiania Bikes.
In Christiania, it had already become normal to transport children in bicycle trailers. But Lars had an idea that would change everything: instead of having the children behind him, he wanted to move the body to the front of a three-wheeled bicycle. This would allow direct contact with the children, while improving safety – and making the ride much more enjoyable. On May 16, 1984, Lars gave his girlfriend Annie the first Christiania bike as a birthday present. She thought she was unwrapping a racing bike – but instead, she found the world's first Christiania bike. The first orders were placed that very same day.
In 1989, Annie and Lars moved production from Christiania to Bornholm, where a small production facility was established on an old farm. Soon, local farmers became part of the adventure – they hand-built wheels, sewed hoods, and produced parts for the bicycles.
Today, our production facilities are located on Bornholm and in Copenhagen. Here, we manufacture and assemble more than 100,000 steel components and other essential parts for cargo bikes and trailers every year. At the same time, we collaborate with a number of Danish and European subcontractors who produce specially designed parts and equipment. Other key components – such as engine parts, frames, brakes, cables, and lights – are sourced from experienced suppliers in Japan, China, Taiwan, Singapore, Vietnam, and many other countries.
From a small smithy in a car-free community to an international company, our journey has always been driven by the same idea: to create means of transport based on community, sustainability, and honesty.
