So I'm not cycling in ordinary street clothes/chic

[shootingstar]

Someone commented about my stance that I don't wear streetwear when I bike. I just like to keep my street clothes in good shape and last for a long time.

He thought I worried too much, since his wife the fashionista didn't wear cycling gear and never worries. Did I have skirt guards, full fenders, did I ride an upright bike (I always did for past 18 yrs.). His comment is here:
http://thirdwavecyclingblog.wordpres...na-copenhagen/

What led to his remark, arose from international response to the video promoting Velo-city conference 2012 in Vancouver, which was criticized by some bloggers as being inaccurate, too many people in cycling gear, etc. All that gear gives cycling an impression it's a dangerous sport/activity. Who ever said it was safe with our stretched out, car dominant communities?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GvBJGBxvuW0 It made the rounds on the Internet.

Frankly I wore T-shirts and walking shorts during the lst 10 years of returning cycling. Non-conformist and uncool. And now in jersey, cycling jacket, I'm a cycling geek-alien, giving the wrong impression of cycling as expensive sport, etc., etc.

I just want to be comfortable, healthy from cycling and anything to motivate me to keep on cycling. I'm actually kind of tired and feel: why-do-we-need-to-be-like-the-Europeans in terms of cycling attire /culture. I am tired of hearing about the anti-helmet arguments especially from Europe which influencing more and more cyclists here in big North American cities.

[tulip]

I want to be visible and safe and comfortable. I've never been fashion-conscious in any aspect of my life, so why would I start with bikes? As for helmets, I've cracked my head good once already; a second time would not be pretty. I'll wear my helmet and keep my brain intact, thankyouverymuch.

Really, though, people should wear what they want and not fuss over what other people wear.

[Tri Girl]

Really, though, people should wear what they want and not fuss over what other people wear.

Agreed!!

I have found in our city (which is not very cycling friendly) that when I wear street clothes cars seem nicer to me. I don't know why. Maybe they think: the poor girl can't afford gas now that prices are too high??? When I gear up- they tend to buzz me more and not be as considerate. I've been biking in my street clothes lately- and although cyclists don't take me as seriously- cars do- and that's what matters most to me!
But it honestly doesn't matter to me what anyone else is wearing. I couldn't care less. As long as you're comfy and you're riding- it doesn't matter.

[zoom-zoom]

Really, though, people should wear what they want and not fuss over what other people wear.

Yep.

[smilingcat]

Wear what you want and be safe.

If you wore a skirt, I hope you are not riding a bike with regular top tube. And better make sure your skirt does not get sucked into the wheels.

I've had desires in the past to ride a crummy looking bike, with streamers on the handle bar ends, a pink basket on the drop handle bars and few other acrutments to say I'm a Wilma then blow the snobby posers who think they are uber cool cause they wore the "same" kit as the pro teams.

I wear gloves cause my hands feel better during and after the ride.
I wear a jersey cause the back pockets are in the "right" place to carry things.
I wear a cycling pants cause my tush feels better during and after the ride.
I wear a cycling shoes with cleats because its easier to ride.
When its hot outside, I wear a skull cap and roll up the edges so as to wick away the sweat and keep it out of my eyes.
I wear sunglasses, cause I don't like wind and debris blowing into my eyes. Though I admit, I like cool looking sunglasses.
Lastly, I wear a helmet. AND IF YOU NEED A REASON THEN YOU SHOULD BE WALKING.

Fashionistas are enslaved to the Madison Ave. marketing hype!

[Trek420]

2 miles or so each way to the train?

I wear purple gloves for comfort and because they look cool.
I wear a jersey and change into a shirt at work or vice versa ...
I wear a dorky neon yellow vest for safety....
Or maybe one of my other bright cycling vests ....
With contrasting arm skins just to be even more visible.
I wear a cycling pants or maybe capris or maybe jeans .... depends on mood
I wear a cycling shoes with cleats or Keens maybe Chaco's.
I wear cycling socks because that's mostly what I have ....
When its hot outside I wear corkies or whatever they're called so my glasses don't slide off my nose.
When it's cold I might have my wool beanie.
I wear a helmet because I like my brains and where they are.

I wear what's comfortable, visible, and fun and don't worry about it too much.

[shootingstar]

Like you Trek and many others probably, even when I wear cycling gear, I'm not matching colours, sleekness at all:

Whatever is clean, is my motto.

I wear slightly baggy dark green windpants for rainy/cold weather, whatever cycling jacket is right temperature-wise. One of the jackets has an acrylic black paint stain which I've given up scrubbing away. I got my hands dirty from art class. But why throw away the jacket? Still serviceable after 8 yrs. I do make my clothing last, both cycling and non-cycling stuff.

My cycling shoes are narrow mountain bike like shoes...I just choose a style that's not too wide so I can toe-clip in (yea, I'm still that geeky!!). I ride an upright hybrid bike (no one can ever accuse of me not being ordinary cyclist)..

I wear red framed plastic cycling glasses. Other times I've had bright blue or silver. I love wearing flashy glass frames that don't match with anything. It's just FUN to wear them.

There have been times my jersey is sticking out past length of my vests or jackets. Oh well, that's the price of being short/petite.

I actually consider wearing cycling gear, an opportunity to be wearing stuff way flashier and more fun (like some designs and colours of jerseys), that I would never wear indoors colour-wise. I know that I can wear bright, neon colours well outdoor against my natural colouring. So strangely, I actually do feel more "chic" than dull me indoors.

[Eden]

I think the commenter has a view that is unrealistic for many areas. My commute isn't super long at 6 miles each way, but it is long enough that on the terrain that it covers and in the weather we experience you'd be unlikely to find me ever doing it on a dutch bike in my work clothes.... Honestly for under 2 miles (the 3K his wife rides) I tend to walk places...

[PamNY]

I truly can't fathom paying attention to what anybody wears on a bike. Except for a helmet, of course, but even that is their problem, not mine.

And I agree with Eden -- is it even worth biking 2 miles? I'd use my Xootr for that.

[Pax]

I want to be visible and safe and comfortable. I've never been fashion-conscious in any aspect of my life, so why would I start with bikes? As for helmets, I've cracked my head good once already; a second time would not be pretty. I'll wear my helmet and keep my brain intact, thankyouverymuch.

Really, though, people should wear what they want and not fuss over what other people wear.

There it is.

For me, I wear my work clothes and tennies, and once in a blue moon a helmet. Work is 2 miles away down a series of side streets.

[KnottedYet]

I truly can't fathom paying attention to what anybody wears on a bike. Except for a helmet, of course, but even that is their problem, not mine.

And I agree with Eden -- is it even worth biking 2 miles? I'd use my Xootr for that.

Love my Xootr!

And really, stop worrying about what you wear and arguing with strangers about it on the internet. There are more important things in life. http://xkcd.com/386/

[OakLeaf]

Honestly for under 2 miles (the 3K his wife rides) I tend to walk places...

I can carry a whole lot more stuff on the bike more comfortably (and more safely for the stuff) than I can on my feet. And the difference between a 35 minute walk vs. a 10 minute bike ride is significant, especially if I'm carrying perishables. Really, 3/4 mile is about my limit of walking for transport, if I have the option to bike.

I wear street clothes on the commuter. But if it's going to be longer or sweatier, I make sure it's something I can wash easily and that doesn't reek when I arrive.

[tangentgirl]

I'm such a nerd I think all this bike gear is stylish. It just happens to protect my hands, head, bum, etc. and keep me comfortable. I'm lucky to participate in a sport where I have such neat clothing options.

I do feel a little self-conscious that I'm the only bike commuter at my job who wears bike shorts etc to ride in. But everyone else's ride is like 3-5 miles, and mine is 14, so whatever. If I was only riding 3 miles, I'd rock the jeans too - not because I don't like my bike shorts, but because it would be more convenient.

I'm not sure what to say about people being intimidated by spandex. Sounds mental to me.

[zoom-zoom]

I'm not sure what to say about people being intimidated by spandex. Sounds mental to me.

I've seen a lot of runners who run in tights mock cyclists who wear tights/spandex...this I don't get. My bottoms of choice are spandex for both pursuits.

Yeah, I think they're mental, too.

[Trek420]

Just about the only thing I don't like about this sport is the subtle/not so subtle classism that exists. I don't think we deal with it well or at all. For cycling to take off in this hemisphere and the culture to change from one of drive through to bike to it has to be done.

Steps off soap box and just observes:

Take my home (please! Newly remodeled and less than 2 miles from rapid transit on an easy flat bike route). My home, let's call it "point A" is in a quirky mix of diverse working class and middle class homes, business and industrial (seems to be import/medical/what little manufacturing is left/and small tech start ups) with some farm markets/indy coffee shops, bakeries and stores and Bay/wetlands parks enticingly nearby.

Point B is where I catch BART train to work.

When I ride from point A to B going the opposite way from B to A are roadies on their weekend warrior machines. Some in lycra some in jeans depending I suppose on a combination of how far they ride and/or complex feelings/opinions/blogs they read about what one should wear riding.

If I'm on my road bike in lycra I get the standard casual nod, minimal eyebrow raise etc from them.

Same route, bike and outfit I find my neighbors subtly hostile or sort of a "what are you doing here?" look or (and this is preferable) I've had some literally sprint the length of the train platform to see the bike (she's a beaut! ). Either way I sense I'm seen as "the other".

Same route, commuter MTB, street clothes I'm seen as "one of them" but largely ignored by the roadies.

Same route, commuter MTB, and some lycra ... neighbors generally friendly and roadies may wave or nod.

It's interesting to observe but really can't we all ride what we want in what we want and support all riders?