Ode To A Bicycling America

Atlanta, Georgia - by San Smith - check out her blog!

The very, very best thing about this blog - and the other one - is the people we've met. It's a pleasure to cybermeet like-minded individuals who share our love of personal style, fashion and bicycles. In that order.

Santa Monica, California - by Madness Riviera.
We get so many lovely guest photos sent in or added to our Flickr group so why just chuck a little montage up with photos from a few of our American friends.

Fashion-wise there will always be differences in style on both sides of the pond, but we're loving what our friends and acquaintences are doing for Bicycle Chic in America.

Venice Beach, California
I lived in L.A. for a while back in the late-80's and every weekend was spent either surfing or hanging at the beach. Venice Beach was a favourite spot. Even back then Venice Beach was bicycle heaven. Some good things never change.

New York:


You know cycling has arrived [or rather returned] when the citizens of big cities get into the saddle. First Paris and now New York. Sure, it is far from perfect, but it's happening. And when it happens in cities like Paris and New York, it will spread. Wonderful.
Read our series about Paris for more info about the rebirth of their bike culture.

Seattle & Portland:


Sacramento, California:


Thanks for all the photos. There are so many more and we'll keep posting the, but for now this is our Ode to a Bicycling America.

Guest Photos from Washington State

Here are some more splendid photos from one of our regular contributors - about time we calld him a foreign correspondant - Derek, from Washington State. Check him out at bikerubbish.com. Thanks for the photos, Derek! Keep spreading the Cycle Chic.

Saturday Guest Photos

Another splendid photo from Derek at Bikerubbish.com, documenting, as ever, the shockingly chic bikes and ladies in his life.

We've made the acquaintence of a girl with the charmingly-named bike chic website Riding Pretty, from California. What a pleasant place to visit. She sent us this photo from her blog. We recommend a visit.

Another splash of style.

This is one of the only lycra photos you'll ever see on this blog. Taken by a French acquaintance, Guillaume Reguer, it's a great unicycle shot. Sorry about the lycra. Seriously. Really sorry. It won't happen again.


Once again, it's not just us.

Guest Photos: From Everywhere.

This whole guest photo thing is really snowballing. It's wonderful to recieve so many photos from around the world. Thanks to everyone who thinks of us and sends them along.
For those of you out there who use Flickr, I've started a group - Cycle Chic Global Pool - to which you can add your photos. That makes it easier for me to blog them. Don't despair if you don't use Flickr, just mail them along to us. Right then. Here goes. A super slough of global cycle chic:


Like so many others, I turn frequently to your blog to see the latest of your inevitably smile-inducing pictures and commentaries on Copenhagen's chic and sane cycling culture. Thank you for sharing the simple joys of daily life on your city's streets and beautiful blue bike paths.
Tom [in Tuscon, USA]


From Lisbon, passing thru London on her way to happiness. The only thing comparable to cycling is watching a girl on a bicycle. Isn't it? Thanks for the photos you give us all. Best regards, Humberto.


Dear Chic Copenhagen Cyclists: Here is a picture of my freind Gypsie, who works at Aaron's Bicycle Repair, in Seattle. She usually rides a beautifully customized all red XtraCycle, but here she shows how a European bag and bike can add some style to an already enchanting ensemble. February in Seattle is treating us pretty well. Val.


Here come some cycle men from Japan! Picture is taken in April 2007.
With best regards, Alo, Estonia.


I must say the site is absolutely astounding. I was in Copenhagen in November and absolutely fell in love with the city because of the people and the mass bike culture. This is a picture of my wife who cycles with me pretty much everywhere. The picture was taken in October, there is snow everywhere now. Edmonton has a wonderful network of MUPs that follow the river valley that twists through the city itself. It makes it quick to travel from residential areas to the University or Downtown core by bike. It also connects to the velodrome! My commute is significantly quicker by bike than car, even in -25C weather.

Keep the information and great pictures coming, it is starting to be seen in the student population at the University. Fixies are disappearing and lovely girls and boys are seen dressed nicely on useful city bikes.
Cheers! Samuel


Another piece on cycling in India - Read Parimal's first one here.
Dear Sir,
I recently drew an illustration for a competition, showing an Indian woman riding a bicycle with her daughter in front. This is a common sight here on the streets. I didn't win a prize, but I feel you may like the picture.

The standard ladies loop frame is common enough in India even today. This kind of frame is preferred by most ladies as it is sturdier, and provides enough clearance for the flowing 'sarees' we wear. I love straddling a loop frame : it makes me feel so womanly. Someone even once told me that a lady riding a loop frame is a romantic sight!

Despite the growing band of women who have taken to the scooterette, I prefer to stay with those faithful sisters who find their greatest pleasure in jumping onto a saddle and riding away lustily.
Best regards, Parimal.

Guest Photo: Seattle, USA

Another wonderful photo from the hand of Derek Pearson in Olympia, Washington State. The title is 'Sisters'.
Thanks again for thinking of us, Derek. Groovy winter bike wear worthy of Copenhagen bike lanes.

Check out Derek's bicycle site Bike Rubbish here. And be sure to check out his professional photographer site here.