tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2210935752673952814.post6210338672803737222..comments2023-11-29T13:50:03.704+01:00Comments on Cycle Chic®: Cycle Chic Guide #6: Safe BicyclesColville-Andersenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16749740728099129703noreply@blogger.comBlogger37125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2210935752673952814.post-74930361221122266872011-05-10T21:34:08.923+02:002011-05-10T21:34:08.923+02:00I just love my new old fashioned Batavus. Had to g...I just love my new old fashioned Batavus. Had to go 9km to town the other morning just could not face the car as it was rush hour. So put on my two piece single breasted suit and crisp white shirt and cycled in sitting bolt upright ( ankle, knee,hip,shoulder and ear in line) it was easy comfortable and a real pleasure. It took me 25 mins I locked the bike outside the front door of the office where I had the meeting. No shower needed, no clothes change needed, no need to pay or look for parking. Very easy and stress free. <br />Yet I could see that many people on the way in cars and at bus stops were a little surprised to see someone on a bike in a suit when all around me every one on a lean forward bikes were dressed in oceans of "special cycling clothes"<br />From my experience from the many bikes I have owned over the years is as soon as you lean forward you put more weight over the point of effort ( ie pedal) therefore you can push down with more effort, result is more speed plus you increase body temp etc.<br />Also you lean forward on a bike and the revolutions per min just tend to go up.<br /> <br />Everbody that goes to Amsterdam or Copenhagen just rave about people using bikes and how we wish our own cities were like this. The soloution is easy if you like the look of that bike culture just ride the same type of bike.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2210935752673952814.post-46174914823258738712010-03-19T04:58:54.966+01:002010-03-19T04:58:54.966+01:00How do you feel about recumbents?How do you feel about recumbents?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2210935752673952814.post-76010780878407832272010-01-06T15:13:28.439+01:002010-01-06T15:13:28.439+01:00well said, lagatta.
if a small majority like spor...well said, lagatta.<br /><br />if a small majority like sports/recreational cycling more power to them.<br /><br />selling cycling to the masses will never work if this minority are the only voice out there.<br /><br />we've all licked stamps and sent letters but few of us are members of a stamp collecting club.<br /><br />redemocratizing cycling to the general public is the goal, whether the minority like it or not.Colville-Andersenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16749740728099129703noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2210935752673952814.post-87655112344516813992010-01-03T20:56:37.418+01:002010-01-03T20:56:37.418+01:00To "Anonymous 10 November 2009 08:29",
...To "Anonymous 10 November 2009 08:29", <br /><br />My mum didn't even let me ride a bicycle as a child while of course my brother had one - I bought my first bicycle as a teenager and taught myself to ride it. But I do like dresses and especially skirts (with tights or leggings in cold weather). I'm also middle-aged and plump (a lot of us past a certain age would be far worse if we didn't cycle) and there would certainly be grey in my hair if I didn't colour it. <br /><br />What on earth is wrong with trying to look pretty - or smartly-dressed if a man? It isn't letting the feminist side down; I like people of whatever sex, age or sexual orientation to make an effort to look nice. <br /><br />Not all the people shown on this board are in their 20s; there are definitely examples of well-turned-out cyclists, male and female, of our vintage and older. <br /><br />It rarely gets down to -37c in southern Canada except on the Prairies, and a minority of us cycle in the depths of winter. More will as the cycle paths are more systematically ploughed. <br /><br />Confess that the thought of middle-aged, plump bodies squeezed into lycra fitness gear when riding along city streets is not the most appetising, but to be fair men are the far more common offenders, at least in my experience. <br /><br />The idea of this blog is, well yes to promote street style, but also to counteract the prevailing idea that cycling is only a competitive sport and requires a lot of expensive "gear". If you don't like the vision behind this blog, you will find many on the subject of racing, mountain-biking and "gear". It takes all kinds, but mass cycling has to be welcoming to people wearing the normal clothes they wear to go to work in.lagatta à montréalhttp://www.lemab.canoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2210935752673952814.post-88055532662980732262009-12-22T20:46:56.887+01:002009-12-22T20:46:56.887+01:00If you want a easy comfortable QUICK way to commut...If you want a easy comfortable QUICK way to commute local or city a Safety bike is just the easiest. I have cycled since the mid 70s I drive a car too I own three bikes at the moment and I have one right outside my door locked. If I want fun I use the mountain bike. If I want transport I usually use the safety. Its just easier quick and more enjoyable then driving in a car or walking.<br />Racing bikes are great I still want to hang the guy that nicked my old one but for getting around its just easier to use the safety. <br />If God had meant us to walk he would not have given us the bicycle.<br /><br />PS There is an industry problem A new bike shop opened near me last year they did not have one bike on sale that came with mudgards or lights fitted. I ask the sales guy if he had any bikes for commuting and he tried to sell me one without mudgards. I live in Ireland we do rain big time. So a bike shop in Ireland sells bikes with mudgards as extras. That just shows that there is a problem with how the industry thinks about their bikes in the English speaking world.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2210935752673952814.post-67926939549486978522009-11-10T08:29:22.971+01:002009-11-10T08:29:22.971+01:00Well, maybe you have to be a female who grew up wi...Well, maybe you have to be a female who grew up with a rigidly conservative mother in the 60s to understand. I don't associate riding in a dress with freedom, it brings back depressing memories of being nagged constantly to be more "ladylike" and only being allowed to wear pants and skirts on Saturday - here in Canada. Where it gets down to -37 C in the winter.<br />I'm a bit fed up with the "We invented the wheel!" attitude of some of these cycle chic blogs. I can't remember a time when there weren't basic utility bikes in the shops and I can't ever remember seeing many of them in actual use. And I'm getting a bit sick and tired of being told I'm some sort of weirdo because I like other forms of cycling, wearing fit for purpose clothes, and that it's somehow my fault that more people don't ride bikes to work!<br />Yes, I used to race, I have the medals and trophies to prove it. Now I'm a middle aged woman and I think that someone my age might be more inspired by the sight of my grey-haired plump-bodied self on a bike than some 20 year old in silly looking high-heeled boots.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2210935752673952814.post-63230164856141663362009-11-10T08:05:54.547+01:002009-11-10T08:05:54.547+01:00what works fine for you doesn't necessarily wo...what works fine for you doesn't necessarily work fine for the general population.<br /><br />there are 500,000 daily cyclists in copenhagen. only a fraction of them can associate with this idea of "blasting down a country road on a fast road bike, drafting your club mates".<br /><br />for the general population, 'cycling' is merely the quickest way to get around their city, not a hobby/fetish/recreational activity.<br /><br />we've all been licking stamps and sending letters for years but very few of us are members of stamp collecting clubs.<br /><br />oh, and i was around in the mid-70's, on a bicycle.Colville-Andersenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16749740728099129703noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2210935752673952814.post-85220201260820316842009-11-10T01:24:07.803+01:002009-11-10T01:24:07.803+01:00I've been using a bike for transportation on a...I've been using a bike for transportation on and off since the mid 70s - long before most "cycle chic" bloggers were even born - and I've never, repeat, never, gone over the handlebars while braking on a drop bar bike.<br />Blaming spandex and racing for the lack of cycle commuters is ridiculous. I've been seeing utility bikes in the shops for years. People buy them, but don't bother to ride them. They're afraid of traffic, or they don't bother to learn to shift gears, or they're just plain lazy.<br />Why would you want to limit yourself to just one kind of bike and one style of riding anyway? Buzzing around to the shops on an upright bike is fun - but so is blasting down a country road on a fast road bike, drafting your club mates.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2210935752673952814.post-28114257186661948352009-11-07T21:13:00.412+01:002009-11-07T21:13:00.412+01:00@Erika: That's really too bad! I'm no race...@Erika: That's really too bad! I'm no racer myself, but while I understand (and sometimes share!) the "need for speed", that really shouldn't stop "normal people" from riding at whatever speed they find comfortable. Biking as a fun mean of transportation is well alive in some US city, even some that have steep hills, like San Francisco! There, cyclists are more likely to wear tight jeans than spandex, really! ;-)Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17021891826074851837noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2210935752673952814.post-31293746449084051942009-11-07T19:14:33.452+01:002009-11-07T19:14:33.452+01:00One reason why I don't bike ride anymore is th...One reason why I don't bike ride anymore is that racing culture you describe; the other is the steep hills in my city. In much of the U.S., it's all or nothing. Either you're decked out in spandex, speeding on a racer bike at 25 mph or you don't ride at all.Erikahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03073114744375513118noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2210935752673952814.post-54308885418132703612009-11-06T16:06:39.714+01:002009-11-06T16:06:39.714+01:00I have both a road bike and an upright bike. I lov...I have both a road bike and an upright bike. I love both. I love the speed and responsiveness of my road bike as it “floats” up hills. But I also like my upright bike taking it easy and enjoying the sights. Both are fine and safe they just different ways<br /><br />If I may relate it to cooking. It’s like different types of Bar-B-Q. You can cook your steak fast and quick on high heat or your ribs low and slow. They both are going to taste good.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2210935752673952814.post-75746016941618063642009-11-02T22:20:20.825+01:002009-11-02T22:20:20.825+01:00Quick note: That Pierre is another Pierre, who mig...Quick note: That Pierre is another Pierre, who might or might not be a fellow Montrealer of mine. Do not accept any substitute! ;-)<br /><br />My city bike (a Marin Belvedere 2008) seems to be in a middle ground, where I'm only slightly bent forward, and I feel rather safe as far as flying over the handlebars go. Maybe it's my old mountain biking experience poking through, but I like being mostly straight up, as it allows me to get up a little and move my behind further back when braking hard, moving my center of gravity back.<br /><br />I'm shopping around for a more relaxed and dignified city bike, an ANT Light Roadster if I can scrape up serious funds, otherwise maybe a Globe Live 3?Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17021891826074851837noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2210935752673952814.post-69049323955831637952009-10-30T16:57:42.166+01:002009-10-30T16:57:42.166+01:00". . .deeper understanding of the way the hum...". . .deeper understanding of the way the human body really works."<br /><br />Hint: We were not really designed to walk upright, but are a rather kludgey adaptation of critters designed to go about on all fours.<br /><br />"If you often feel yourself striving towards an unattainable position (letting go of the handlebars so you can sit upright, for example)"<br /><br />Actually, I find this position quite attainable and being able to ride like this for miles at a time one the required attributes of my drop bar bikes. How else would I play penny whistle while riding?kfgnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2210935752673952814.post-28542703801063883012009-10-30T15:29:03.127+01:002009-10-30T15:29:03.127+01:00Geometry, schmeometry.
while "safe and slow&...Geometry, schmeometry.<br /><br />while "safe and slow", or "unsafe at any speed" are terms that seem self-evident, do be careful that you do not mistake them for everlasting truth.<br /><br />There are upright bikes upon which no man looks stylish - there are upright bikes which are built for speed - there are crouch-model bikes which aren't really all that fast - and while none of these may be typical bikes, they do still exist in large numbers.<br /><br />There also exists, in large numbers, myths about natural positions which are 'good' for you, which are borne out of lack of deeper understanding of the way the human body really works.<br /><br />(there are diagrams out there which equate the human spine with a straight rod, drawing the conclusion that any impact to the rump is transferred directly to the brain, while the spine is in truth more or less 's'-shaped, even when we stand)<br /><br />The basic truth is that if you get there on time and can use the bikes several hours each day without pain, it's good enough. If you often feel yourself striving towards an unattainable position (letting go of the handlebars so you can sit upright, for example), then the bike isn't right for you.Williamhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15596258620117242843noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2210935752673952814.post-12269902268275168082009-10-30T02:00:49.362+01:002009-10-30T02:00:49.362+01:00Pierre, c'est un Montréalais?
We have one so-...Pierre, c'est un Montréalais?<br /><br />We have one so-called mountain (high hill) other than that just banal climbs, and I must be about Pierre's vintage. <br /><br />I'll have to get a camera - I see so many chic cyclists, male and female, passing by on the street beneath my home office, at marché Jean-Talon and elsewhere. One lass had a matching deep purple béret and muffler. Wow.lagatta à montréalhttp://www.lemab.canoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2210935752673952814.post-28184175214358863252009-10-29T06:13:53.236+01:002009-10-29T06:13:53.236+01:00Salut Pierre: I bet you look funny walking around ...Salut Pierre: I bet you look funny walking around Montreal like that. With a forward-leaning posture with a slightly arched back.Colville-Andersenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16749740728099129703noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2210935752673952814.post-57222247123153384772009-10-28T13:42:49.251+01:002009-10-28T13:42:49.251+01:00If anything, upright is harder on the back. It'...If anything, upright is harder on the back. It's better to have a forward-leaning posture with a slightly arched back.<br /><br />In my previous comment, if you take the time to read it all, I'm not advocating a racing position, just a moderate, sensible forward-leaning position. There are many non-racing bikes which are suitable for this. Even in the old days, on what today we would consider to be city bikes, the grips on the handlebars or the handlebars themselves (depending on the style of handlebar) were relatively low - about the same height as the saddle or a bit lower. This is because it's both comfortable, safe and much more efficient than trying to pedal a heavy bike using only your thigh muscles.<br /><br />Sure, there's always someone who has struggled through a 30 mile ride riding upright in a headwind. So what? Why do it the hard way? <br /><br />I've been riding since the 1960's, so, yes, I suppose that might make me a "cyclist", as opposed to a stylish person on a bike.Pierrenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2210935752673952814.post-28378532092536760722009-10-28T10:38:40.816+01:002009-10-28T10:38:40.816+01:00There is room for everybody.
Two or three things c...There is room for everybody.<br />Two or three things come to my mind:<br />in this blog upright and dutch style bikes are of ten associated with slow and thus with safe. While this is generally not outright wrong (you CAN go fast with this stuff!) two intervening factors:<br />a) hills (lot of them in Germany ,none in DK and NL) ANY bike is a fast race bike downhill!<br />b) new electric support: my Granny can go 30 with that.<br /><br />Therefore: bikes are generally safe, but also dont be naive: a bike is not a pedestrian concerning its energy potential.<br />So it is not helpful to reinforce this naivety (no, this is NOT negative advertisung!)<br /><br />Therefore (among other things: I think it is for example not helpful to have pictures of cyclists with a headset on while cycling (like one girl in this post). I have been nearly run over by those two or three times already.<br />Also I really appreciate colleagues using bikes with working brakes, lights etc. Safer for them, safer for me. <br />By the way, just for info: you can look to the back from a race bike position quite well, you just look "under your arm". No big deal.Saschihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16598581043400410192noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2210935752673952814.post-50772825012497346422009-10-28T01:00:24.036+01:002009-10-28T01:00:24.036+01:00fantastic read.fantastic read.Darling Prettyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03896616952831815094noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2210935752673952814.post-74529961492853244452009-10-28T00:44:07.143+01:002009-10-28T00:44:07.143+01:00@ Pierre- I have a deep step through, upright, Dut...@ Pierre- I have a deep step through, upright, Dutch bike. It is a tank. I rode it 30 miles on Sunday and 20 miles on Monday. Each day I had a 45 lb child on the back. Each day I rode it around San Francisco, CA. We do not understand the term "flat". It is time to get over the idea that only certain bikes do certain things. All bikes go, some do some things better than others, but the all go.<br /><br />@Mikael- My step through has a rather odd sticker on it that reads "Easy Entry" which has always made me think my bike may be a bit lacking in decorum.Adrienne Johnsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16658593098911314756noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2210935752673952814.post-4002782812399830172009-10-28T00:37:14.805+01:002009-10-28T00:37:14.805+01:00The only time I was ever hurt on a bike was riding...The only time I was ever hurt on a bike was riding a hybrid and taking a right turn fairly fast, hitting loose gravel and flying over the handlebars onto my arms, which turned black over the next few days and left me unable to lift anything higher than my mouth for weeks. Now that I ride a Dutch Oma, I've never felt in danger of tipping or sliding. I do go a bit slower, but I can put my foot down to steady myself if need be (rarely), and I'm much more visible to cars when riding on streets -- I'm actually higher than drivers' roofs. Plus the easy stop and start is better for the urban riding I do than the more aggressive posture bikes ever were.<br /><br /> It's also psychological: on hybrid or racing bikes, you want to go faster because that's the way your body is positioned and when you slow down, you wobble. Sitting upright, by constrast, makes it easier to go slow while staying steady.<br />Since I ride in the mostly flat central city areas of Portland, often carry stuff from the gym or the store or whatever, and most of my rides are under 3-5 miles, a Dutch bike is just about ideal: much smoother, more stable and more comfortable (especially on my back and wrists) ride than a hybrid. Even if I had a faster, lighter bike with different rider geometry, I probably wouldn't get where I'm going much faster because it's city riding with stop lights, stop signs and traffic. And it sure wouldn't be as enjoyable -- I know, because that's exactly what I did before I got my Oma.<br /><br />Looking forward to seeing you Portland this week, Mikael.Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00200420866872037216noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2210935752673952814.post-8267941959200233122009-10-27T23:59:33.130+01:002009-10-27T23:59:33.130+01:00Pierre...I suppose you're a real cyclist?
I t...Pierre...I suppose you're a real cyclist?<br /><br />I think you should try one before making any judgments about them being only suitable for short / easy distances. Meanwhile I'll tell the people I know who ride these for long distances, for tours around the country and trips abroad to stop being so ridiculous. <br />- Tongue firmly planted in cheek.-Amsterdamizehttp://amsterdamize.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2210935752673952814.post-91760620407193377102009-10-27T22:59:30.449+01:002009-10-27T22:59:30.449+01:00Reversing what the cycling world has known for a c...Reversing what the cycling world has known for a century...<br /><br />Unfortunately, while the pictures are nice, the upright kind of riding is only good for short, relatively easy distances... suitable for people on bikes rather than cyclists. <br /><br />There is a happy medium between that, and the exaggerated, nonsensical triathlon/road bike riding position. Even Dr. Ruffier and Velocio didn't ride upright decades ago. But neither did they ride with their behind in the stratosphere and their nose on the ground.<br /><br />Frankly, I think both Cycle Chic and Bike Forums advice is wrong.Pierrenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2210935752673952814.post-72331164931287193362009-10-27T21:26:25.350+01:002009-10-27T21:26:25.350+01:00oh, and this is how you deal with slick high-heels...oh, and this is how you deal with <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/16nine/2827631378/" rel="nofollow">slick high-heels shoes on pedals - Copenhagen style.</a>Colville-Andersenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16749740728099129703noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2210935752673952814.post-78609066620016747122009-10-27T21:25:01.129+01:002009-10-27T21:25:01.129+01:00we'll agree to disagree then, shall we?
i'...we'll agree to disagree then, shall we?<br /><br />i've yet to see studies that confirm a forward leaning position is safer than an upright one. send them along if you have them.<br /><br />the point is that regular people can cycle in slick leather-soled high-heeled shoes and do, without any trouble.<br /><br />there are 100 million everyday cyclists in Europe according to the European Cyclists Federation. There are probably more high heels on any given day than total cyclist in other regions of the world. :-)<br /><br />you're welcome to your opinion about the post, and i enjoyed reading it and i welcome it. but really, aren't we both just stating opinions as fact?Colville-Andersenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16749740728099129703noreply@blogger.com