Cycle chic according to the NY Times

[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.

[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. 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. 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 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. 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.

[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.