Encroaching Darkness

The days are getter shorter and cooler. Today the day is 7 hours and 5 minutes shorter than on the summer solstice - 21 June. No wonder Danes buy more candles than any other nation. Keeping the winter evenings and nights cosy.

Despite the fading light, the bicycles continue to roll. Like the Copenhagener above. She just commenced off the light. Hasn't rolled more than 5 cm. but she is in motion.

The short winter days make the appearance of brilliant sunshine all the more spectacular, especially when riding to work in the morning. You cherish it.


Been a while since The Sartorialist has posted a bicycle shot but here's a fresh one from Milano.

Kulturnat

Each October, on the Friday before the kids' autumn holidays, Copenhagen features Culture Night - Kulturnat. It's a great evening where everything is open until midnight. Museums, castles, exhibitions, the parliament, you name it. Streets are closed off and Copenhageners walk or ride around from event to event. Needless to say, the bicycles reign supreme.

It's festive and lovely and all in the name of culture.

Motion Sensor & Friday Nightaliciousness

I rather enjoy these motion shots.

Cycling is motion, after all.

It's Friday night. These two photos were taken a couple of Fridays ago at about 01:00, when the city really starts to wake up. The cafés close at two but from about midnight the migration from cafés to nightclubs takes place. Most of it by bike.


The Guardian has a piece about how Cycling is Officially Chic, wherein Copenhagen Cycle Chic is referenced. But we all knew that already, now didn't we? It's a cool article. Have a read.

And have a lovely weekend.

Vélib - Sociable and Sustainable

One of the best things we noticed about cycling in Paris was that Parisians have understood how sociable cycling is. Cycling in couples is a common sight in Copenhagen and by all accounts Parisians have embraced this sociability as well.

Couple contemplating directions.

Pere et fils in the bike box at the traffic lights.

Casual moment. He was pointing out various buildings to the girl as they rode.

A flock of Vélib's on the bridge.

Chic couple at an intersection.

An interesting aspect of this bike life in Paris is that the Vélib is seen on the streets at all hours. The metro closes early, compared to other cities, but the Vélib is always there for you. Nightlife in Paris is made so much easier.

Bike Culture Buddha

A little urban detail that is oft overlooked or even unnoticed in Copenhagen is the metal on the poles at traffic lights.

As the Copenhagener in the photo illustrates, it is often easier to just lean against the walk signal pole while waiting for the light.

So many people do it that the metal on all the poles along bike lanes at intersections is worn and smooth from hundreds of thousands of hands.

A bike culture version of rubbing the Buddha's tummy.


The nocturnal life of bicycles in Copenhagen. A quiet Tuesday evening. John Arne Riise's own goal was an anti-climax and riding home was a mute affair. Until a poetic sight presented itself in the urban night.

Crossing over to the far side to hop onto her bike on the bike lane. Fashion-wise, the trend this winter of having double-up stockings in boots - with one pair just sticking up over the boots - is still going strong, but now that spring is here, it will interesting to see if it survives the warmer temperatures.

Red Ride in Hood

Red Ride in Hood, originally uploaded by [Zakkaliciousness].

Geddit?
You can't see the snow in the above shot but...

Here's the Boy Wonder on the pavement, with cyclists riding past.

I'm sure there is a statistic fall in the number of cyclists on the bike lanes in Copenhagen when it snowstorms, but there were still loads and loads of bikes heading home in the evening.

A little snow doesn't stop very many people. The snowstorm was sudden and unexpected so our bike lane snowploughs weren't out yet, but all you have to do is ride straight, anyway, which is easy even in the snow. You just slow down and take it easy when turning and approaching intersections, but there really isn't any good excuse for not riding.

The Boy went to bed with fingers crossed for snow enough to go sledding tomorrow.

Guest Photo: Tokyo

Tokyo nights XIII, originally uploaded by manganite.

One of my great inspirations on Flickr is a chap with the handle Manganite. I adore Tokyo and can't wait to return but Manganite's photos always tide me over until I land at Narita.

The title of the above photo is "Tokyo nights XIII". There are many fantastic things about Tokyo and one of them is that it is truly one of the world's great cycling capitals. Japanese cities in general have great urban bike cultures far more advanced that any North American city can muster, so there is a load of inspiration to be found.

What's more, Tokyoites are frightfully fashionable and chic. That, combined with bikes is - no surprise - something that tickles us pink.

Manganite grasps so many of Tokyo's moods in his shots and it's high time we include a photo appropriate to this blog.

Manganite's Flickr photostream.
Manganite's Blog.

Copenhagen Chic New Years

Copenhagen Chic New Years, originally uploaded by [Zakkaliciousness].

It was 18:17 on New Year's Eve in Copenhagen.
Temperature: 1 degree.
The streets and bike lanes were busy with people heading to parties and get togethers.

An expectant mood. So expectant that one doesn't give riding in a skirt and heels in that temperature a second thought.

Happy New Year from Copenhagen Cycle Chic!

Guest Photos: Copenhagen

DJ Nicoline, originally uploaded by metz79.

A wonderful photo from the Copenhagen nightlife, taken by fellow Copenhagen Flickrite Metz79 - a super cool photographer and all round groovy person. The photo is titled titled 'DJ Nicoline'.

The sticker on the bike says, "It's only love, give it away." We've seen them around before and love the slogan.

And here's another photo we found on Flickr, taken in our own 'hood.
'Girl on the bike' by Heroneya

Happy Christmas!

Moment of Clarity

Moment of Clarity, originally uploaded by [Zakkaliciousness].

The light just changed. She has barely rolled five centimetres, but she is moving. Checking for cars before turning left.

night bike

night bike, originally uploaded by Aaron78.

late night, early morning... just me and her on the bike lane, amidst the neon soup.

The Nocturnal Life of Copenhagen Bikes

A spot of darkness doesn't stop the bikes in Copenhagen.


The bikes continue to roll, people continue to pedal their way from here to there and back again.