Eat, Cycle and be Merry

One of our dear readers, Village Mama, requested a Bicycle and Food series and I quickly discovered that I have a shocking absence of this theme in the archives. Not because it's not an important part of Copenhagen bike life, but merely because I haven't caught the shots. So above is me heading for a meeting and enjoying a pain au chocolat on the bike lanes.


Here's an apple munching cyclist.

And ice cream counts, too, doesn't it?


One thing the Copenhagen Cycle Chic archives are filled with is photos of Copenhageners transporting coffee, like this previously posted photo above.

Or this pregnant Copenhagen sipping an ice coffee.

Coffee holder on the handlebars.

Two girlfriends, both carrying coffee.

I'll be sure the keep an eye out for 'diner transportable', as they say in French. Eat 'n ride. Cykle og spise.

Orange You Glad I Posted This?

She had stopped for a car, in the middle of a cheerful mobile phone conversation, and had to get rolling again. That's why homo sapiens have elbows. She got back up to speed without even blinking. Don't try this outside of Copenhagen or Amsterdam. :-)

A lesser-known drawback to a Copenhagen cycling life. You have to go out of your way to find shops that put their goods in coloured bags that match your bicycle. But the good news is, you get to shop more!

Here's a bit of Cycle Chic from Minnpost.com - in Minnesota, USA. An interview with Anna Lee who is Cycle chic hero for riding in heels and dresses.

"Look — that lady's bicycling in heels," said a middle-aged guy as he watched Lee pedal in ruby-red pumps. Go Anna Go!

City Centre Moments

Push bike, ride bike, no bike.

Cyclist styling [as opposed to speeding] her way down a summer side street.

On the right: Style.
On the left: Speed [and sweaty testicles]

Copenhagen Coffee Drinking: Walk for a bit with your coffee, sipping it steadily until the level of liquid is reduced sufficiently so that you can get on your bike and ride without coffee spilling out.

Sleek and Chic

She flew along with her baskets, chatting amicably on her hands-free mobile, turning heads the whole way. Elegant heels, short skirt, flowing locks.
Classic Copenhagen.

Cargo

Cargo, originally uploaded by [Zakkaliciousness].

Her basket was filled to overflowing.
Who needs a taxi when you have a bike?
Although all taxis in Copenhagen have a bike rack on them so if you need to get home with shopping AND your bike, or your bike has a flat, you can always take a taxi. A bike costs 10 kroner extra. [€1.50]

Multitasking Cargo Mum

Multitasking Cargo Mum, originally uploaded by [Zakkaliciousness].

Complete with trendy heels, this mum was enjoying a cigarette and chatting on her mobile while waiting for the light to change so she could propel her Christiania bike forward through the intersection.

Style Over Speed

Style Over Speed, originally uploaded by [Zakkaliciousness].

After two weeks in the sun on the coast of the Red Sea during which i saw three bikes - two cargo bikes and one regular one - it is lovely to be home in Copenhagen.

Despite the chilly temperatures. It was windy and about 3 degrees when I took this shot.

Copenhagen Boots

Copenhagen, originally uploaded by [Zakkaliciousness].

The King's New Square one day.
Chatting on the mobile while circling the square on the bike lane.

Guest Photos: Amsterdam

We thought we'd chuck a few wonderful guest photos onto the blog from our second-favourite cycle city - Amsterdam. A lovely photo above from Smudo, of an Amsterdamer riding either to or from field hockey practice.

And this classy lady deserves a place on Cycle Chic for keeping it cool, sassy and stylish on the Dam Square from the Flickr photographer Barbara.

Here's a classic doubling shot - could be Copenhagen or Amsterdam - a wonderful mood captured by Stosh26.

Brolley Bike

Brolley Bike, originally uploaded by [Zakkaliciousness].

Light Showers.
Light Brolley.

Found this buried deep in my Flickr photostream. Thought it appropriate to post it here.

Bike Lane Transport

Typical Copenhagen. A female citizen in a frightfully short skirt, stockings and boots speeding along the bike lane, carrying an enormous bag and chatting happily away on her mobile phone.

Most bike lanes in the city are separated from the motor traffic by a kerb [US: curb] and, on the other side, separated from the pavement [US: sidewalk] by another one.

In this case, above, the bike lane was recently widened and a thick white line separates the bikes from the vehicles.

No matter, really. Everyone knows which side of the line they need to be on.

In Copenhagen, motorists are just cyclists using cars. Almost everyone rides, so this co-existence is fundemental to keeping the peace on the streets.

There are confrontations, sure. Mad cyclists and mad motorists. One in every crowd. But generally, we all just get on with it.