We've been discussing for ages the composing of a manifesto regarding Cycling Chic. We coined the phrase, after all, so we thought it necessary to highlight what it's all about. As ever, with a hint of seriousness, a splash of poetry and a dash of playfulness.
With that said, we present to you The Copenhagen Cycle Chic Manifesto.
- I choose to cycle chic and, at every opportunity, I will choose Style over Speed.
- I embrace my responsibility to contribute visually to a more aesthetically pleasing urban landscape.
- I am aware that my mere prescence in said urban landscape will inspire others without me being labelled as a 'bicycle activist'.
- I will ride with grace, elegance and dignity.
- I will choose a bicycle that reflects my personality and style.
- I will, however, regard my bicycle as transport and as a mere supplement to my own personal style. Allowing my bike to upstage me is unacceptable.
- I will endeavour to ensure that the total value of my clothes always exceeds that of my bicycle.
- I will accessorize in accordance with the standards of a bicycle culture and acquire, where possible, a chain guard, kickstand, skirt guard, fenders, bell and basket.
- I will respect the traffic laws.
- I will refrain from wearing and owning any form of 'cycle wear'. The only exception being a bicycle helmet - if I choose to exercise my freedom of personal choice and wear one.
And since it's wallpaper day, here's the Manifesto in two sizes:
1024x768
1680x1050
In addition, if it so pleases you, reader, the manifesto is also available on postcards , a mousepad and t-shirts.
Addendum: Just had to add this, sent in by Claus. The Manifesto in action!
Thanks, Claus! Anybody else?! :-)
14 April 2008
The Cycle Chic Manifesto
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
![Classic Copenhagen [with pet]](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3395/3202607008_b7f2048b19_s.jpg)
36 comments:
hilarious.
and awesome.
:-)
Love it!
Zak for Prez.
Or can you get Hillary, The Bammer or ol' McCain on board?
Yes We Can.
:-)
Or rather in Danish... "Ja vi kan"
i will tatto it in my arms!
Excellent! Sign me up!
I will be in Copenhagen in October for a conference. Will I be able to rent a bike? If so, I'm planning my outfits now! ;)
Way to go!
This may not be "chic", but it's definitely a fashion statement... and just cool kinetic art:
LINK
Wallpaper Mac
I love it ;-)
I forgot my picture ;-)
thanks everyone! spread the word!
@bck: email me for more information about renting bicycles in copenhagne.
@claus... wicked cool! :-)
not willing to disturb you but starting with September will you join me introducing cycling futurism - cyclifutur ;-) there I want to introduce speed and style...
hyperbike.cc
I need to print this off and plaster it around my city! Haha!
Is it okay to ride racing bike or a mountain bike on the weekends or for fun (even in spandex) and still ride a nice practical urban bike to get around in normal cloths the rest of the time and still be cycle chic?
I just happen to love all forms of bicycles, whether they are built for speed or just practical transportation.
Otherwise I love it!
sorry, andy... if you abide by the Manifesto, you must denounce all false idols, including the technical abberation that is the mountain bike.
you must only worship Danish bicycles.
:-)kidding. just make sure you mountain bike in the woods where nobody can see you... :-)
Andy, I'm with you. All forms of cycling have their place. I love the Tour de France - that kind of efficiency has its own grace and thus chic.
I guess I was just never one for rules, they tend to be made to be broken, especially in fashion!
"Personal style", there's a qualifier that makes this all work. As long as the look is an extension of self it will always contribute to the cityscape.
I always wear my everyday clothes, never fluorescent or space age fabrics.
Haven't made the upgrade to a suit and tie though since I don't wear one at work, my jeans are a bit too worn and casual to be stylish.
However, you'll be happy to learn that I've ditched the old running shoes for nicer leather ones solely because of your site. (pun intended)
thanks for commenting, everyone.
svend... i'm honoured! and don't worry, suit and tie are soooo last century.
"Most excellent"
It has been Printed and Posted along with the definition of a Gentleman Cyclist from www.abcetour.com
Aaron
Im new to cycling in cities and it's hard to be chic on a mountain bike when im being chased by a bus (the horrible london shared bicycle/bus lanes) but im inspired by your manifesto. This is one london cycling chick who's not going to wear a flourescent yellow vest (im thinking a golden, shimmering sequined biking jacket!). If i have to be seen, at least it's seen in style.
thanks for the comments.
london cyle chick: first of all... what are you doing on a mountain bike in a city?! :-)
glad to hear the manifesto appeals to you. for bespoke reflective elegance, you might want to check this out
Here's wishing you a tailwind! (but not one strong enough to muss your hair... -:-)
Go Cycle Chic spread the biking virus around. I wish you the best for your biking advocacy. If I were not old, I would gladly join you. :) Speaking of old, aren't the old ladies in Copenhagen not into the biking culture? I am sure they could negotiate the bike with grace and style if they do. I would love to see some pictures if you please. All the best.
thanks, granny julia. indeed, the elderly ride their bikes, too. i have a few photos here and i'll be posting more.
Well, I posted your manifesto in my blog (I hope that's OK). We should follow good examples...
great joao! how about a link?
Hi. Please join the Bicycle to Work! LinkedIn networking group. Members pledge that they will try to ride their bicycle to work or on an errand at least once a week. Although the benefits should be obvious, let me outline them here.
Right now people in the industrialized world are facing two very grave problems: obesity and a growing scarcity of oil. Compounding this problem is the new food shortage brought about, in part, by the conversion of food cropland to bio-fuel crop production. Most people feel powerless to help, but there is one thing that we can do. Ride our bicycles to work.
If everyone would agree to ride their bikes to work one day per week we could cut oil consumption by as much as 10-15%. No one would argue that riding a bike burns more calories than driving the car. Although popular politically right now, most bio-fuels consume more energy than they produce. We would be much better to eat those bio-crops then use our own energy to transport us around.
So spread the word. Make it a movement! Bicycle to work one day a week and do your part to cut back obesity and the overuse of oil and precious cropland.
Just go to my profile at http://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffreylstevenson and you can click on the group to be included. While you are there, don't forget to ask to link to my network of more than 7,000,000 like-minded professionals. I accept all invitations and look forward to meeting you.
Jeff
Finally, someone who wants to put the pleasure back in cycling! I don't want to commute forty miles to work or ride over a mountainous trail. I want a cute bike and I want to look cute riding it around my neighborhood. I don't want cycling to be arduous, I want it to be fun!
Sure, Zakkaliciousness. Here's the link to my blog. To see the manifesto scroll down.
This is the only blog I've run across where the black background seems natural. Don't know anything about "design," but you're looking good.
Makes me wish I lived somewhere that wasn't so hilly. Or that I was 20 years younger.
thanks for the comments.
c.: what a great way to put it!
djc: thanks. i think the black background compliments the photos. as for hills... some of the great cycling cities in Europe are in Switzerland! Berne and Basel! Mountainous! :-)
I just randomly found your blog tonight and read the Manifesto. Living in rural New York State, USA, I always thought I was a dork for riding a 1968 Raleigh 5 speed (with chainguard!) in street clothes with non-aerodynamic helmet. I'm just living in the wrong country!! I'm getting my bike tuned up and getting back on the road with "style and dignity". Thanks!!!
John, you're not a dork. You're a hero! a role model! :-) Style over speed!
Ride with grace, elegance, and "dignity"? C'mon, manifesto heads, you can do better! Riding with 'attentiveness' is far more conducive to effectively transporting the collective. Besides, nowadays the term 'dignity' is about as semantically useful as words like 'purity' or 'perfection'. Chic is one thing. A delusory sense of pride, another. With or without gear or go-go boots, when it comes to cycling, safety trumps dignity daily.
Your interpretation of the current usage of the word 'dignity' may be interesting, but it is hardly standard 'these days'.
Just visit copenhagen or amsterdam and you'll see exactly what we mean. That grace, elegance and dignity foster attentiveness. Style over Speed is a fantastic safety message.
well put!! love it!
Post a Comment