BICYCLE CHIC

Cycle chic

Cycle chic or bicycle chic is the culture of cycling in fashionable clothes. It is now associated with the utility cycling practised in cities such as Amsterdam, Basel, Berlin, Berne, Copenhagen, among others, where citizens practice a high level of bicycle usage. In many European cities, as well as cities in China and Japan, cycling is an everyday transport choice and many cyclists choose to wear their regular clothes, as opposed to outfits generally associated with cycle sport, such as bicycle shorts, gloves and shoes.

Cycle chic is a growing trend in cities that are now investing in bicycle friendly infrastructure and facilities. With the growing popularity of community bicycle programs such as Velib in Paris and Bicing in Barcelona, citizens are discovering the ease with which they can ride around their city or town, including riding in their normal clothes instead of sports cycling gear. As fashionable celebrities such as Agyness Deyn are shown cycling in this way by the media, this induces others to follow their example.

The phrase "cycle chic" in relation to bicycle fashion was coined by the filmmaker and photographer Mikael Colville-Andersen in Copenhagen in 2006. Called "The Sartorialist on two wheels" by The Guardian newspaper, Colville-Andersen advocates normalising urban cycling and increasing the number of trips made by bicycle in urban

If ‘cycle chic’ is something that you have been trying to master - that is, looking totally fabulous on a bike while dressing functionally and with panache, look no further than those clever, design-savvy Londoners. We love the idea of melding sustainable style with green transportation, and Cycle Chic is a great online guide featuring ways to cycle safely while sporting some rather fashion-forward ideas. Any opportunity to wear tartan plaid with a biking helmet always gets me rolling, and I am happy to see that girls everywhere are being totally adventurous while sending the message that style needn’t be sacrificed when one opts to pedal to their next destination.

Women Embracing Cycle Chic
For lots of people, bicycle riding is more than a mode of transportation, it’s a full blown lifestyle, complete with its own fashion code. But till now, that’s usually meant either triathletes wearing spandex, or bike messengers wearing 90’s-inspired grunge.

Not to leave the gentlemen out, because we’re sure there are lots of dapper lads out there zipping down the bike lane, but suddenly there’s a new crop of treehugging females who have taken it upon themselves to give bicycle riding a much-needed aesthetic makeover.

Cycle Chic, based in London, is one organization determined to bring back the old-world, romantic quality bicycling used to have. The website provides tips & advice for biking safety and a bike buying guide, coupled with fashion pointers such as the one about “swishy skirts” (see above) being not only a big trend for 2008 but also “comfortable and cooling to cycle in, perfect for the spring and summer.”

In a similar vein, Cool Hunting recently published a round up of the best (and cutest) bike baskets around — so you can express your cycle chic aesthetic not only in your clothes and the type of bike you choose to ride, but in your accessories, too.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ekjXyxpBhU

Great video on youtube.com by Charleston Cycle Chic
So what is Charleston Cycle Chic?Its a movement to move, an expression of style, and a show of grace. Its a celebration of life and the wind in your hair. Its about getting out of your car and taking back the bike. (And looking fabulous while doing it.)www.charlestoncyclechic.com