Cycle chic according to the NY Times

[PamNY]

The NY Times (http://www.nytimes.com/2010/09/30/fashion/30BICYCLE.html?scp=1&sq=bicycle&st=cse)has done it again. First, I enjoy chuckling over bogus trend stories, though there is probably some truth to this one (if you look at only cyclists in certain neighborhoods and ignore, oh, 90 percent of New York City like the Times usually does).

I am fascinated by Mr. Bliss, who claims that cyclists in athletic attire and helmets have "alienated every pedestrian" and seems to imply that fashionable women riders don't. Yet Ms. Page-Green, one of the fashionable women quoted, "likes to speed around on the sidewalk."

Here's more breaking news: "Some of these women seem to view their bikes, equipped with high-end saddle bags and bells, as a stand-in for a car..." I don't know what to make of that -- my bike isn't standing in for a car since I use a backpack I got at the Goodwill for $3.99?

And finally, I love the photo of Dr. Margaret Goni in flip flops and no helmet. She's a psychiatrist; I Googled her.

Clearly it's raining and windy, I can't ride today, and I need to find something to do.

[warneral]

I'd like to know why it is more important to look good than protect your life with a helmet. KWIM? Even if I had outlandishly skinny body and long legs, I'd never look so chic with my nerdy helmet on!!!

[ny biker]

"And most are turning their backs on the once-customary aerodynamic helmets and latex shorts in favor of a look as fetching as it is genteel."

LATEX SHORTS. Yeow.

As expected, bikesnob has his own take (scroll down past the discussion of Contador's miniaturization ray):

http://bikesnobnyc.blogspot.com/2010/09/in-pinch-pleading-for-clenency.html

“I get sweaty a little, but it doesn’t bother me,” she said. Her bike, after all, is a stylish appendage, “a kind of rustic enhancement,” she said.

I always thought that "rustic enhancement" meant holing yourself up in a log cabin with an artisanal axe and a whole bunch of Enzyte, but evidently it's just another term for "bicycle."

[bikerHen]

I feel a little insulted by the tone of those women and Mr. Bliss. But then being raised on the west coast, I guess my style ideas, or lack there of, are a bit different than the east coast. Why does riding a bike have to be a fashion statement. :confused: I just don't get it!

I should send them a photo of my helmet, with it's four big crack, after a recent fall. A sobering reminder of why I always wear a helmet. :o bikerHen

[zoom-zoom]

I feel a little insulted by the tone of those women and Mr. Bliss. But then being raised on the west coast, I guess my style ideas, or lack there of, are a bit different than the east coast. Why does riding a bike have to be a fashion statement. :confused: I just don't get it!

I should send them a photo of my helmet, with it's four big crack, after a recent fall. A sobering reminder of why I always wear a helmet. :o bikerHen

Yeah, I don't get why anyone would ever think that I wear spandex and a helmet as a fashion statement. Why does clothing always have to make a statement--most of what I wear is for comfort and/or safety.

It's like the running skirt thing. I rarely wear skirts. Generally they aren't flattering on me. But I like running in them, because skin-on-skin with a bit of Sport Shield chafes my inner thighs less than skin on fabric on skin. Ever since that piece of running attire emerged there has been someone trying to qualify it as "fashion." Fashion be damned, I just want to comfortably enjoy my running and biking, not obsess over or be distracted by my clothes.

[shootingstar]

I guess for some folks, cycling is a fashion statement.

This type of slight division in the article between cycling streetwear chic vs. cycling clothing clad folks ..is a waste of energy to contemplate.

I do have a more longer response..in a blog article that I will release about my cycling experience in Copenhagen when I was there for a few days. (I'm just debating when to release it.. :rolleyes: )

Yes, there are pics..including the chic and not so chic. (I fall in the latter...)

Hey, bikerHelen, the guy who runs the Copenhaganize blog/website often rants about stupid helmet laws, blah, blah, blah, etc. So tiring.

Meanwhile my dearie was knocked unconscious off his bike when another cyclist ran into him this past winter. Yes, his helmet was cracked.

[warneral]

BTW Pam, I'm glad you shared this. It is definitely interesting to look into a slightly-warped, not very accurate representative depiction of NY biking life :)

[Eden]

That's all terrific if you want to run around and do some errands within a mile or two, somewhere relatively flat flat place with good weather and little traffic.... It might work fine in Copenhagen, NYC - flat places of exceptional density, but isn't necessarily particularly feasible if you need to travel further, live somewhere hilly, have to deal with serious traffic (and I don't mean traffic jams, but rather fast moving heavy traffic that you need to share lanes with) or want to use a bicycle full time - no matter the weather.....

In any case some of us don't wear Prada anything or 3 inch heels even when we're not on the bike...

[Zen]

It would seem the NYT is a little slow when it comes to trends.

[Zen]

I am fascinated by Mr. Bliss, who claims that cyclists in athletic attire and helmets have "alienated every pedestrian" and seems to imply that fashionable women riders don't. .

I don't know about alienation but this statement does have some merit. Remember the study showing drivers gave the rider with a ponytail wider berth?
When I ride (in town) in a skirt I know people give me more room. They think I'm a little old lady (and they're right).
Don't knock it..

[PamNY]

Slate has done one of their "bogus trend story (http://www.slate.com/id/2269270/)" pieces on this journalistic jewel.

[malkin]

They never show how stylish these people look after a crash, in the ambulance or in a hospital gown or on the table in surgery or...well, we know it happens...worse.

[sempronialou]

I feel a little insulted by the tone of those women and Mr. Bliss. But then being raised on the west coast, I guess my style ideas, or lack there of, are a bit different than the east coast. Why does riding a bike have to be a fashion statement. :confused: I just don't get it!

I should send them a photo of my helmet, with it's four big crack, after a recent fall. A sobering reminder of why I always wear a helmet. :o bikerHen

I live in the Midwest where apparently we have no fashion sense according to the media. I like the idea of sending the helmet photo.

When I cycle, I mean business. I sweat, and I like to keep my head intact. Even if I take a quick jaunt to the post office, I'm not there to make a fashion statement, but again I'm not in New York so maybe it's different there.

[zoom-zoom]

I live in the Midwest where apparently we have no fashion sense according to the media. I like the idea of sending the helmet photo.

When I cycle, I mean business. I sweat, and I like to keep my head intact. Even if I take a quick jaunt to the post office, I'm not there to make a fashion statement, but again I'm not in New York so maybe it's different there.

Hello, from a fellow Michigander with no fashion sense and no urge to find any. :D

[PamNY]

Even if I take a quick jaunt to the post office, I'm not there to make a fashion statement, but again I'm not in New York so maybe it's different there.

No, no, it's the opposite, I think. I see bikers in regular clothes most of the time. I was really surprised at some of the stuff TE sells -- not that it's bad, just not part of the world as I know it.

The joke about "trend" stories is that they aren't trends at all. The Times, as it often does, has just gotten all breathless about a very few people in a very few neighborhoods.

[shootingstar]

Well, the journalists have to find a way to draw readers...

Copenhagen chic by the way, in my opinion, is just daily wear most of the time. Really that's what the website covers. It just somehow has spun into something bigger than what it is when..one visits there.

It will be interesting over time, what, if any cycling-intensive European country, can learn from North America in terms of cycling infrastructure, culture.. that they might want to borrow.

[sempronialou]

Hello, from a fellow Michigander with no fashion sense and no urge to find any. :D

Hello to you too from the east side of the state. I grew up on the west side of the state and still visit there often. :)

[channlluv]

Oh my stars. How obnoxious. I wonder what they'll do with all those accessory bikes when the trend moves on to something else. Like, remember when Paris had that little yap-yap in a shoulder bag and everyone (present company excluded) had to have one? I wonder how many of those little dogs have been abandoned. Is there a Human Society equivalent for bikes that just aren't stylish enough anymore?

What the heck are kitten heels?

Roxy

[withm]

Hello to you too from the east side of the state. I grew up on the west side of the state and still visit there often. :)

Where on the east side? north? south? knuckle?

[jelee1311]

Wow I'm so tragically unhip and unfashionable that I can honestly say I've never entertained the idea of actually wearing a dress or heels(kitten or otherwise) when I go ride. Its all I could do to get into bike shorts, and if road shoes and a helmet are a faux pas count me in

[Crankin]

The article is kind of stupid, but accurately reflects how some people think /feel/act about cycling. One part of me wants to say, great, they are riding and saving gas, but the other part wants to scream, "get a helmet." But, you can't argue with people like that. I have tried.
I'm not embarrassed to say that I love fashion. But, even when I do errands on my Jamis, I wear cycling clothes. I've acquired a "casual" cycling wardrobe that looks different than my spandex (even though most pieces have some lycra or spandex in them) for this type of riding. I just cannot ride in my regular clothes. Like others said, I sweat, no matter what, even toodling along at 10-12 mph. And, like Zen, I get treated much more nicely by motorists when I am on the flat bar bike, dressed slightly differently. I love some of the "fashion oriented" cycling clothes that TE carries, although I don't have a lot of them, I would wear most of that stuff in "regular" situations. I guess my clothes buying habit has been mostly supplanted by buying athletic type clothing. I haven't tried riding in a skirt recently, though. My skirts are short, which would not work.
I have hazy memories of riding my 10 speed UniVega to summer school classes at ASU, in a sundress, with a Sparky backpack, in 112 degree sunshine. No helmet, of course.

[sarahkonamojo]

There will be an article next summer about an elderly woman killed by a sidewalk riding fashionista. The fashionista will complain about sidewalk rash and take up scootering.
But the woman with the trike! Her skirt length surely draws attention. Her dog was safe and happy in his throne.
Gotta go put my latex shorts on, get aggressive in my fervor and mow down a fashionista.
Sarah

[Trekhawk]

"And most are turning their backs on the once-customary aerodynamic helmets and latex shorts in favor of a look as fetching as it is genteel."

LATEX SHORTS. Yeow.

As expected, bikesnob has his own take (scroll down past the discussion of Contador's miniaturization ray):

http://bikesnobnyc.blogspot.com/2010/09/in-pinch-pleading-for-clenency.html

“I get sweaty a little, but it doesn’t bother me,” she said. Her bike, after all, is a stylish appendage, “a kind of rustic enhancement,” she said.

I always thought that "rustic enhancement" meant holing yourself up in a log cabin with an artisanal axe and a whole bunch of Enzyte, but evidently it's just another term for "bicycle."

Snort!:D

[sfa]

LATEX SHORTS. Yeow.



You know, the kind that look painted on. And they are SOOOO much easier to put on than the oil-based shorts. :p

Sarah

[inkspot]

You know, the kind that look painted on. And they are SOOOO much easier to put on than the oil-based shorts. :p

Sarah

Hee Hee Hee :p

Unfortunately, being water soluble might be a bit of a problem if you sweat at all or like to ride in the rain...

[PamNY]

I don't pay much attention to fashion, but I have thought about getting a Yakkay (http://www.yakkay.com/) helmet.

I'm a tightwad at heart so I probably won't.

[warneral]

Pam that is cute! But then it would look really lame with my spandex shorts and road shoes! LOL Nice option though!

[Owlie]

Apparently I have no fashion sense either. Oh well. In a backwater like Ohio, I can't imagine there would be much anyway. :rolleyes:

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Being fashionable in my opinion is wearing what makes you comfortable and happy...making your own choices independent of what others think is cool or hip. In that regard, I think articles telling us what is 'fashionable' or not are lame.

[PamNY]

In that regard, I think articles telling us what is 'fashionable' or not are lame.

But if the Times stops covering such things, a whole chunk of humor will be gone from my life:(

[buffybike]

I'm all for commuting by bike, however the pomposity of those interviewed in the article is just beyond me. Bunch of sheep-le.

[lph]

I just read the article, just skimmed it first time round. And I was thinking that - sure, I'd prefer if these people wore a helmet, or at least demonstrated a minimum of traffic sense (which they could have I guess, but it certainly drowned in the "looky-me I can cycle too and look chic"-message) But at the speed and distances they're probably logging it's doubtful that they're going to be a big part of the accident statistics. Toodling around for short distances in the inner city where traffic is slow isn't really that dangerous compared to long-distance commuting on heavily trafficked roads.

And we can't expect people to just "become cyclists" and adopt cyclist culture as we see it overnight. If cycling is to become more popular, well then, the popular crowd is going to cycle their way. That includes chic clothing, viewing hip bikes as accessories, and baskets, dogs and whatnot as fashion statements. And maybe not helmets. The best we can do as a cycling community is send the message that yes, cycling for transport is for everybody, and no, you don't have to look like a spandex-wearing superhero, BUT you have to remember that you are in traffic and behave responsibly. It's not cool to behave like a super-fast and unpredictable pedestrian, urban cycling chic is about being civilized, predictable and on top of things.

[PamNY]

I stopped by one of the chic stores today (Adeline Adeline in Tribeca). Really, they were very nice and I'm not knocking the place at all. I wouldn't be surprised if they make some customers more comfortable than the traditional bike stores featuring monosyllabic male employees. I hoped to come away with an amusing anecdote, but was disappointed.

The whole neighborhood is Extremely Chic, with $800 handbags and such, so they fit in.

They were babysitting a customer's dog while she took a test-ride, which speaks well of them IMO (beautiful greyhound who sniffed me all over because I smell like bulldog).

The bikes I saw were Linus and Pashley. Most were on the heavy side -- no way I'd get one up the subway stairs.

The place was really, really, really chic, though. I need chain lube but didn't even ask. Theirs is probably organic and imported from the Andes.

I will be curious to see if they survive.

[jessmarimba]

I need chain lube but didn't even ask. Theirs is probably organic and imported from the Andes.

Aaaahahahahaha that's hilarious!!! And probably true :)

[featuretile]

When I first started cycling, I could never picture myself in all that spandex and wondered if it was necessary. Then after trying a pair of bike shorts, the answer was 'yes, this is more comfortable than rolled up jeans'. Then I tried a jersey, and 'yes - it wicks moisture and has pockets in the back'. Then other cyclists started telling me that it was much easier to cycle with a hard sole on your shoe instead of tennis shoes, and 'yes, even with toe clips, bike shoes are an improvement'. The other comment when I showed up in a black windbreaker was 'do you want to die? - so my colors got bright'. The helmet I got at the time I bought the bike because I do value my head. So, now I look like a proper cyclist.

The whole fashion thing is really just as nuts as riding on the sidewalk in the wrong direction. I would stay far away from those folks.

[Owlie]

Featuretile, my bike clothing experience was a bit like yours. DBF said "Yeah, you need shorts" and dragged my butt to Performance for a cheap pair (all I was willing to buy at the time.) The helmet was not an issue--I'm not dumb enough to ride without one, and even if I was, my BF would never let me near a bike without one.

A couple miles, I could do without all the spandex and a jersey. Never dressed up like that, though. I can't walk around and look like that. I like the idea of a "casual bike wardrobe" for jaunts to the coffee shop or to class and the like. I need the wicking fabric-- I could sweat for England.:rolleyes:

[shootingstar]

Meanwhile ..maybe dearie and I might go to the Momentum bike fashion show 1 km. away tomorrow.. But it's more of a social event for us if we go to chat up with other folks we know there. :rolleyes: I went to their very first one a few years ago, where I met my first TE forumite, Mimi.

If some people choose to dress up in fashionable street clothing while cycling, etc. that's their thing. I wouldn't necessarily judge them less. If they want to ride heavier bikes, that's their thing. But for certain, they shouldn't presume that it's a good thing for newbies to ride a heavy bike. I wouldn't make that type of recommendation at all.

I just wonder how they keep their skirts, tops, etc. from oil stains, etc. and prevent scratches on beautiful leather dress boots or dress shoes. :confused: I honestly would need a new wardrobe to dress fashionably and cycle.

But when I was in Copenhagen, it was obvious that to have a truly cycling intensive city, regular cyclists (meaning us) have to embrace, all cyclists who may not wear comfortable cycling clothing, etc. More of my comments here (http://thirdwavecyclingblog.wordpress.com/2010/09/29/losing-my-cycling-identity-in-the-world%e2%80%99s-cycling-nirvana-copenhagen/) and pics. (In case others didn't see my Copenagen blog post earlier.)

Clearly Copenhagen Chic is an effective marketing spin but in fact, when you are there, lots of people look pretty ordinary.

Lph wonder if you are one of the rarer Europeans who believes in wearing bike helmet. The blogger for Copenhagenize and Copenhagen Chic, practically is foaming at the mouth in anger, whenever he looks to North America's bike helmet laws.

[lph]

Lph wonder if you are one of the rarer Europeans who believes in wearing bike helmet. The blogger for Copenhagenize and Copenhagen Chic, practically is foaming at the mouth in anger, whenever he looks to North America's bike helmet laws.

No, helmets are not mandatory but pretty much the norm here for regular cyclists and especially for kids, but I do regularly see "cycling non-cyclists" ie. students in jeans and backpacks, young urban hipsters in street clothes, the odd elderly gentleman or two... not wearing helmets. I figure that as long as they're not biking too far and are behaving predictably they'll probably be fine. Unfortunately these, especially the students and young hipsters are most often the ones behaving like kamikaze pilots and running red lights.

Copenhagen really does have a cycling culture all of their own. And I do think they may have a point in that mandatory helmet use works against encouraging "cyclism".

[hebe]

I stopped by one of the chic stores today (Adeline Adeline in Tribeca). Really, they were very nice and I'm not knocking the place at all. I wouldn't be surprised if they make some customers more comfortable than the traditional bike stores featuring monosyllabic male employees. I hoped to come away with an amusing anecdote, but was disappointed.The bikes I saw were Linus and Pashley. Most were on the heavy side -- no way I'd get one up the subway stairs.

The place was really, really, really chic, though. I need chain lube but didn't even ask. Theirs is probably organic and imported from the Andes.

I will be curious to see if they survive.

That sounds like a great shop to me, and I am sure they will do well if they are able to communicate and put people at their ease. Certainly I would (and now do) go out of my way for a LBS that is helpful and friendly. There's a shop in London called Bobbin Bicycles (I think) which I would love to see and visit, they do sell some racers though.


If some people choose to dress up in fashionable street clothing while cycling, etc. that's their thing. I wouldn't necessarily judge them less. If they want to ride heavier bikes, that's their thing. But for certain, they shouldn't presume that it's a good thing for newbies to ride a heavy bike. I wouldn't make that type of recommendation at all.

I just wonder how they keep their skirts, tops, etc. from oil stains, etc. and prevent scratches on beautiful leather dress boots or dress shoes. :confused: I honestly would need a new wardrobe to dress fashionably and cycle.

But when I was in Copenhagen, it was obvious that to have a truly cycling intensive city, regular cyclists (meaning us) have to embrace, all cyclists who may not wear comfortable cycling clothing, etc.Lph wonder if you are one of the rarer Europeans who believes in wearing bike helmet. The blogger for Copenhagenize and Copenhagen Chic, practically is foaming at the mouth in anger, whenever he looks to North America's bike helmet laws.

Pashleys do look heavy, no doubt about that. Here in Britain though they are often cherished in the same way as old Minis. I suppose the weight becomes an issue if you are taking it up metro stairs or a steep hill (why I am hesitating over one), but on the flat gentle towpaths and the country lanes for which they were designed I can imagine they must be great fun and as good for beginners as anything else. They look very practical in terms of carrying capacity too, which makes them popular as commuting bikes. I think women and men here appreciate the chain and skirt/coat guards on them which should allow stain-free riding.

I wear a helmet, as does my husband (who bought one in order to ride my bike home the 1 mile journey from the bike shop). It just seems the sensible thing to do. I have to admit to wondering what it would feel like to cycle with the wind in my hair as I've never experienced that. Maybe one day. Other than that my cycling kit consists of 1 pair padded boxers and various Lidl socks/gloves/jacket (Lidl is a European discount chain). I will get better stuff as I get to know what I need, but I would honestly not win any fashion competitions on my bike, nor do I look like a cyclist.

Very interesting thread, thank you.

[Selkie]

What the heck are kitten heels?

Roxy

They are shoes for catty chicks! :D

Each to her own. I'm not into being stylish on or off the bike, but if it makes someone happy to buy this stuff, more power to them. As for the no-helmet thing, that's just poor judgement but I see a lot of non-fashionistas riding around w/out helmets. I'm with Pam--these pieces are hilarious. I love the NYT.

There seems to be a "triathlon" trend here in DC.....can't wait until it dies because these people (mostly posers) make it more crowded at the pool and on the MUTs (most don't take the time to learn proper etiquette for either cycling or swimming---so they are a safety hazard and annoying--which is my beef w/them).

[Crankin]

Kitten heels are low (maybe .5-1 inch) heels that are shaped so they are little on the bottom, like regular high heels, but get wider as they approach the bottom of the shoe. Not a good description, but they are basically low heeled dress shoes, with a somewhat different shape. They first were popular in the forties. I love them, because as a short person, I don't look very good in flats with dress clothes, but these heels are low enough to be comfortable.
I am really surprised at the level of animosity toward "fashion." While I wouldn't ride in the clothes described in the article, so what if someone does? I love fashion, clothes, etc. It doesn't mean I don't also like working hard on my bike and getting sweaty and dirty.

[Selkie]

Crankin -- You definitely can carry off a look and have good taste (from your pictures). I enjoy fashion, particularly something well crafted & designed. I'm more of a spectator than participant, though. I have a few nice pieces for briefings, meetings, etc., but the bulk of my work wardrobe is more along the lines of Patagonia dresses & skirts.

[Crankin]

I would wear Patagonia dresses all of the time, if they made them for short people!!! Seriously, I have started buying Athleta's dresses because they are moe "sporty" and they have my size. The down side is that I have to judge by looking at pic on the Internet or catalog and sometimes it just doesn't work out.
Got the Title 9 catalog yesterday. They *never* show people on bikes wearing a helmet. Plus, they had tons of nice stuff I could wear to work, but, nope they also have very few petites.

[shootingstar]

This woman was mentioned months ago in TE.

But here is this 85 yr. U.S. woman who cycles regularily..in a skirt and heels.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/theskepticaloptimist/5044044336/in/pool-709497@N21/

[Eden]

I saw someone attempting this in Seattle a few days ago... very cute skirt, totally cute jacket, heels (not kitten heels.... but short boots with spiky heels), old 60's style Raleigh - that she had to walk up the hill because it was too steep for her on the old heavy 3 speed.... then she proceeded to ride on the wrong side of the street into oncoming traffic! to get to a crosswalk wherein she crossed against the light.... perhaps she had fashion sense, but no common sense..

[pll]

I am really surprised at the level of animosity toward "fashion." While I wouldn't ride in the clothes described in the article, so what if someone does? I love fashion, clothes, etc. It doesn't mean I don't also like working hard on my bike and getting sweaty and dirty.

There are judgmental attitudes on both sides. Part of the article implied that some people look down on lycra-clad cyclists, or consider them aggressive ('the adult cyclist as infantry soldier'). To some extent, I can relate to that feeling when I think of the groups of motorcyclists I see on occasion.

What I find most annoying about the article is that it implies riding on the sidewalk is OK:


Ms. Page-Green, who likes to speed around on the sidewalk, has encountered hostility. “When you’re going too fast, people get mad at you,” she said.

People may prefer to ride in regular clothes for short commutes, wear no helmet, etc, but they be civil and obey traffic laws. Speeding on the sidewalk or riding against traffic is not acceptable. If someone can ride comfortably in heels, more power to them.

[Owlie]

Copenhagen really does have a cycling culture all of their own. And I do think they may have a point in that mandatory helmet use works against encouraging "cyclism".

I seem to have missed this. Sorry to appear thick, but why? Personal freedom? People think it looks dorky and are less likely to ride because they don't want to look dorky?

[lph]

Well, I can't really speak for them, because I'm one of the lycra crowd who wears a helmet at all times. But my impression of mass "cyclism" in Copenhagen is that it's very low-key, everyday, a bit faster than walking, but more tailored to your needs than taking a bus. Regular city clothes, regular hairdo and make-up, practical but not very fast bikes, few conflicts with cars, fairly low speeds, low risk, for everybody who can turn a pair of pedals. So it's probably both a culture thing and a fashion thing, but also that type of cycling is just not that dangerous.

[jessmarimba]

Yeah, I can see the reasoning. I didn't ride my bike much in college because I wouldn't ride without a helmet, but the second I put a helmet on my hair was a disaster for the rest of the day. Rather than constantly worrying how bad my hair was sticking up, I'd just take the bus. Or drive.

Then again, I'm pretty introverted and very self-conscious about my appearance...and I am most self-conscious about my ridiculously difficult hair.

[Crankin]

PLL, I am well aware of the judgemental attitude of different groups of cyclists. And, I totally agree; no matter what you wear to ride in, follow the law! In fact, I am kind of a "rule Nazi" when it comes to this, but hey, that's me.
I just have noticed that there are some who believe that A) you can't be athletic and be into fashion or make up, etc and still be "strong"
B) That dressing fashionably means you're shallow or something.

[pll]

Crankin: +1, we agree. I was trying to understand why there was a apparent backlash on wearing street clothes in this forum. I think the tone of the NYT article has to do with it, at least in part.

lph: +1, too.

I commuted for couple of years in my bike and would wear normal street clothes. I would, however, not use nice shoes (heels or other) because I don't want them to get ruined. I was not time-trialing to work though, just a leisurely, short, ride. And a long time ago (late 70s, early 1980s), I commuted to primary and secondary school for about 6 years, in full uniform (skirt!), no helmet. I met with a lot of classmates on the about 20 minute ride. No time trial either. As lph mentioned, faster than walking and better than a bus.

[PamNY]

Crankin, I think most of the "fashion" comments were inspired by that silly article.

Sometimes I think wistfully that it would be fun to look nicer on my bike -- just to suit my mood, mostly. But I'm so committed to screaming yellow -- so the question for me becomes, is wearing my cool tweed jacket worth an accident? So far the answer has been "nope."

I never thought I'd wear tights, and I'm probably the only biker who started wearing tights because of birdwatching. I get cold when I stop and stand around for hours, and it's so easy to layer over tights and then take layers off for the ride home.

Did I ever tell the story about the time I went biking with a pair of panties stuck to the velcro on the parka I had hurriedly yanked out of the dryer for the ride? Now that was fashion.

[hebe]

Did I ever tell the story about the time I went biking with a pair of panties stuck to the velcro on the parka I had hurriedly yanked out of the dryer for the ride? Now that was fashion.

I'm going o/t here, but this has reminded me of the time I walked behind a girl who had a tiny pink thong stuck to the velcro on the back pocket of her cargo pants. I thought it was a breast cancer ribbon until I got closer, then she turned into a hairdresser's salon just as I was trying to get the courage up to tell her.

I no longer have the same level of interest in fashion/how I dress as I did pre-baby. That said, I do struggle putting a bright red and white jacket with a black and pink helmet, but safety and comfort (and price in this example) always win out over co-ordination. A small part of me will always want to be in a beautiful outfit on a beautiful bike, despite the fact that I think the bulk of my riding will be off-road and the remainder will be errand-running.

[pinkychique]

Did I ever tell the story about the time I went biking with a pair of panties stuck to the velcro on the parka I had hurriedly yanked out of the dryer for the ride? Now that was fashion.

Hahahaha!! That's awesome.

I think the term *fashion* is a double-edged sword: it can mean that someone looks nice, or it can mean they step on other people. riding on a side walk fast is an example of stepping on people by disrespecting their right to walk where you're supposed to walk without feeling threatened.

i'm hard-core about following the rules, and i've been known to yell at other cyclists (whilst i'm either commuting in jeans or lycra or just out on a training ride) for not following the rules like stopping (or at least LOOKING) at a stopsign/stoplight.

i have a bike specifically for wearing everyday clothes on, too. it's mostly for anything less than 4 miles. the butt of most of my jeans have saddle wear marks on them :rolleyes:

and i wear a helmet always. helmet hair be danged. know too many people that broke their helments and not their heads (thank God).

[JennK13]

And we can't expect people to just "become cyclists" and adopt cyclist culture as we see it overnight......The best we can do as a cycling community is send the message that yes, cycling for transport is for everybody, and no, you don't have to look like a spandex-wearing superhero, BUT you have to remember that you are in traffic and behave responsibly.


Just because someone doesn't wear "cycling" attire (as most here are considering cycling attire - jerseys, close fitting shorts with chamois in them, shoes with cleats in them....) doesn't mean they aren't cyclists and aren't part of the cycling culture. There is a whole "hipster" group of people who ride, and even cycling specific clothing that doesn't look "racey" or tight. I find it narrow minded to think that people have to adopt cycling culture as many here see it - not just overnight, but ever.

I totally agree with the second part that cycling IS for everyone and you DONT have to wear spandex but everyone should behave responsibly.
(side note, totally not picking on you IPH, your post was perfect for both sides of the arguement! ;) )

I ride a lot for many different purposes - I ride for health and exercise, I race, I ride FOR work (group ride leader), I ride for pleasure with friends, I ride TO work and run errands. I dress differently based on what I'm doing. Just like I wouldn't jog or do aerobics in jeans, or snowboard in sweat pants, if I'm working out or racing, I'm wearing cycling specific attire appropriate for what I'm doing (bike shorts and jerseys, and proper foot wear with cleats). I'd certainly look funny wearing a sundress in a cyclocross race - that's for the men to do!

If I'm using my bike for transportation, to the movies, to run errands, go to coffee with friends, to go to work, I'm not dressed that way - I have a serious fashion obsession (addiction if you ask DH), and as I sit here in my Banana Republic slacks and Anthropologie sweater, I see absolutely nothing wrong with looking totally cute and fabulous while riding my super cute bike with it's wicker panniers. I have ridden in a skirt (and I think those skirt garters someone posted a while ago are a MUST!), though I'm a clutz, so I don't ride in heels, but I do bring them with me to change into once I'm at my destination. There are "hipster" websites where you can get cycling specific pants/knickers that are cute and work appropriate, yet are seamed appropriately so as not to cause problems while riding, and are made of wool and wrinkle resistant material so they don't stink and look nice once you're off your bike.

When it comes to helmets, to each their own. If people dont want to wear them, that's their perogative - just like with motorcycles. The sidewalk riding is a huge pet peeve of mine, and while the article makes those that are riding the bikes sound like a bunch of jerks who give ALL cyclists bad names with their horrible traffic habits, what they wear has absolutely nothing to do with that. My helmet may protect my head if I hit it in a fall, but a short sleeved jersey and shorts don't offer me any more protection in a fall than anything else I might wear while riding. In fact, I wear the least amount clothes when I'm most likely to get injured - coming out of or going into transition in a triathlon.

Just be responsible when you ride, no matter what you're riding or wearing. And if you look good doing it, all the better.