Brief History of the Marque: L'Avenir
49cc two-stroke mopeds and mofas made in Belgium using HMW and Sachs
engines. Produced from c1959 to the 1970s.
L'Avenir history (English)
l'Avenir (french expression for "Future")
Bicycle manufacture began in 1898 by "Frans Mariën" in Koningshooikt
named Korporaal (Corporal) and always been one of the most representative
Belgian bicycle manufacturers, having survived two world-wars and several
financial crises.
In 1912 the name was changed into "L'avenir" and at that time the company
moved over from Koningshooikt to Lier, to a plant near the railway station.
The best period for the company was after the first world war,between
1919 until the economic crisis of the 1930s, after which they slowly recovered.
Interrupted by the second world war and faced with numerous difficulties
including the lack
of spare parts, the company could still celebrate its 50th anniversary
in 1948.
At that time about a 30 people where working for l'Avenir.
In the fifties they began manufacture of motorcycles and mopeds and
around 1957 around 5000 mopeds left the factory. Production continued at
this rate until 1971 when Japanese competition became too strong.
However, the construction of bicycles was running well and at end of
1970 they had sold more then 15.000 bicycles for the year.
Despite the good sales, there were still some hard years. A bicycle
was at that time a
simple product with a low price.
In 1966 the company started with the distribution of the Dutch "Gazelle"
bicycles and in
1975 they built a brand new factory at Lier, with new production lines.
The oil crisis of 1973 provoked the rediscovery of the bicycle and l'Avenir
survived.
Since 1966 there was co-operation with "Gazelle" and from 1978 also
with the Italian
brand, "Cicli Cinzia".
The 1980s started with the introduction of recreational bikes, going
further on the
90s, despite the heavy competition from the Far East.
L'avenir has seen two changes of the century and is doing very well,
particularly when one considers that the average age of a Belgian company
is 40 years.
They always stayed independent and financed their production with their
own capital and
never borrowed foreign capital.
The company has now sold more then two million bicycles, known for their
excellent quality.
A constant line followed by the l'Avenir company was their loyalty to
the professional
market of bicycle dealers, within the strong belief that only professionals
could guarantee the quality on lifetime of their products, by keeping the
sales and the maintenance on the same point.
Thanks to RM2
chello.be
Wed Nov 02 2005
More
history of L'Avenir...
The images above and many others courtesy Michaël Reyntjens.
Sun Jan 07 2007
dirk.keuleers1telenet.be
l'avenir sport '63
hi this is dirk keuleers
from weerde (belgium)and i have recendly restord this l'avenir sports-bike
from '63.
it has a 3 speed handchange sachs engine
weerde (belgium)
Sat Apr 22 2006
dschiedyahoo
bicycle and motorcycle locks
Avenir
I was hoping that you may have the information for the manufacturer
of Avenir locks that are sold in the United States. I got this contact
form through research about Avenir in France that makes Mopeds.
Michigan - USA
If you have a query about L'Avenir mopeds, or wish to share your knowledge
of these classic Belgian machines, please contact
us!
