Cycle Chic

Check these blogs too, http://www.copenhagencyclechic.com/ and http://www.copenhagenize.com/ for a comprehensive view on cycling - and cycle fashion - from one of the cycling capitals - copenhagen.

the thing that would really make her bicycle ensemble complete would be a HELMET!!!

Surely any post on Cycle Chic should include the website that coined the phrase, namely Copenhagen Cycle Chic. As any streetstyle fan or fashion professional knows, if you want cycle chic inspiration, go to the source of style on wheels.

And they don't sell 'cycling gear' either... the whole point of the concept of Cycle Chic is that you don't need 'gear' like above.

why do girls have to be stylish while they ride their bikes? the reality of riding a bike instead of driving a car is that it takes longer. combine that with worrying about how cute i look to people as a wizz by. there goes a lot of my time out of my day i could have spent doing more productive things.

if you are going to tell women they should dress a certain way for their bikes, you should tell men the same thing. but that doesnt happen, because women are forced to maintain a certain narrow look that is much more harmful to our status in society than many of us realize.

if we are going to make the transition from one lifestyle (environmentally damaging) to another (environmentally beneficial/low impact) we cannot preserve culture norms that force women to obsess about the way they look. please treehugger, try to check yourself when posting things about women and environmental practices.

thanks.

I am a guy. I live in the warm humid weather of Houston, TX. I do care how I look before, during and after the bike ride. I am NOT into spandex tights. Smelling is the biggest issue. After a few minutes of riding in the humid weather the under arms put out a powerful stench. Thankfully, I am not one to sweat heavily. Besides, I do not ride hard. But the smell is still an issue. My clothe will also be wet from sweat. Then comes the issue of air conditioning buildings, stores, etc.. Once you get to your destination inside the building you are greeted with full blast of A/C cold air. Then vice versa when you leave.

How about riding after a rain storm! Splash from puddles in the ground can be protected so much with mud guard. But a car zipping by you hitting a puddle??? Well! Good luck. I have been drenched with muddy water, looking like a wet duck in the end.

I like loose clothe with openings for air flow. I will sometime use ski pants coverall to protect me from the environment. But, again, the humidity.

I have gone to taking exclusively residential back roads, ride on side walks when not many pedestrians, and ride "slow-n-easy". Bicycling leaves a lot to be desired.

ugh. noone's ever allowed to be lighthearted.

I thought this post was great...sent it to my girlfriend in fact. sometimes i want a seriously sweaty bike ride and sometimes i just want to ride to get to my destination...in which case i would like to look nice. thanks treehugger!

I strongly second the comment by Jennifer (above), who puts it perfectly.

I guess looking completely anorexic (like the girl in the pic) is also a must for riding a bike with style .
And then maybe I could ride my bike looking chic and go to the mall to buy more chic clothes !!

Okay, she might be looking kinda cute.

But seriously, wearing shoes like that and riding a bike!!

Anyone who has ever fallen off a bike on a road (like me!!) would not get on a bike without decent shoes that protected my feet (still stylish mind you!) and a helmet!!

Sometimes fashion needs to come second to safety!

While I love the idea of cycling chic and am a fan of any site that encourages cycling, I have to agree with Stephanie -- helmets are a necessity, not an accessory.

All of you naysayers need to put on a dress and heels and get on a darn bike. I did it this morning, it was fabulous. Looking cute on a bike is one of the best parts of my day and one of the best promotions for cycling possible.

Just because I want to look nice, even cute while I ride my bike and when I get to my destination that makes me a bad person? Live with the fact that some of us do want to help the environment and want to look cute doing it, instead of looking dirty, ugly, and smelling funny. Thanks Treehugger for this wonderful article and websites. Keep up the good work!

Having to look unfashionable while cycling is a barrier to some woman (and men). We don't all want to wear lycra. So good on you treehugger for showing us there are fashionable alternatives, especially for short distances around town. Anything that can encourage more cycling is a good thing.

I think the naysayers are missing the point. If you want to cycle in lycra, go for it. But one size does not fit all.