tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2210935752673952814.post8429174496896101342..comments2023-11-29T13:50:03.704+01:00Comments on Cycle Chic®: The Value of Cycle ChicColville-Andersenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16749740728099129703noreply@blogger.comBlogger24125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2210935752673952814.post-67045139943984874492013-12-28T11:15:01.698+01:002013-12-28T11:15:01.698+01:00I thought I'd chime in. Around a year ago I s...I thought I'd chime in. Around a year ago I saw your book in the waiting room at the doctors office. I did not have anything to do so I looked through it.<br /><br />I was completely amused by the people on bikes doing everyday things. It planted a seed in my head that maybe I should get a bike. I live in a place where bike culture is a mix of spandex clad racers and hipsters with fixies. <br /><br />I'm a middle class woman in my 30s with a semi preppy style. I didn't plan to wear spandex or leggings under my skirt. That wasn't me. I have always been a bike friendly, without riding but I didn't really think there was a place for me in bike culture. <br /><br />I kept the thought in the back of my mind, and a month ago I won a city styled bike in a nice royal blue. With fenders, chain guard and step-through frame. In the days leading up to collecting my prize, it finally clicked what made cycle chic so different. An accessorized bike made things much more personal and flexible.<br /><br />And now I have come full circle, converting car and transit trips to two wheeled ones. <br /><br />This wouldn't have happened without the nudge of cycling in everyday clothes. (And chain guards, as the last time I biked I ended up having a near collision and getting grease stains on my clothes. )Jamehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04219246814014412067noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2210935752673952814.post-47129910999227957912011-07-27T22:48:10.190+02:002011-07-27T22:48:10.190+02:00The yoga is paying off, Mikael.
Auto-fellatioThe yoga is paying off, Mikael.<br />Auto-fellatioZakkaliciousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2210935752673952814.post-70323987144444898132011-07-27T06:48:36.978+02:002011-07-27T06:48:36.978+02:00Mikael,
On behalf of the people of Amsterdam, I ...Mikael, <br /><br />On behalf of the people of Amsterdam, I want to thank you for bringing cycle chic to the world. Since this blog started in 2006, transportation cycling has become quite a big deal around here!Sarahhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12830882402269418912noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2210935752673952814.post-22062137341607383522011-07-27T06:03:52.342+02:002011-07-27T06:03:52.342+02:00"In late 2006, the bicycle didn't exist i..."In late 2006, the bicycle didn't exist in the wider public consciousness anywhere in the world." <br /><br />Seriously? Do the hundreds of millions (billions?) who travel on bikes in India, China, Japan and many other countries not count? Are they not important because they don't get dressed up to ride? You may want to check yourself. A few thousand white people on bikes is nice, but really just a drop in the world cycling bucket.Kylehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12611202620893564803noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2210935752673952814.post-73071471832130753352011-07-27T04:49:41.586+02:002011-07-27T04:49:41.586+02:00Mikael,
It shows a disturbing level of arrogance ...Mikael,<br /><br />It shows a disturbing level of arrogance for you to claim credit for creating the post-millennial bicycle boom, while minimizing the efforts of bicycle activists worldwide and totally ignoring the role of the internet. I'm actually a bit stunned, though perhaps I shouldn't be.manderhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14825819771373993710noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2210935752673952814.post-32452602147781454202011-07-27T04:38:14.168+02:002011-07-27T04:38:14.168+02:00I love cycle chic, and I'm glad you're tel...I love cycle chic, and I'm glad you're telling the world about it through your blog. However, can we revel in it without ridiculing our athletic cycling brothers and sisters? I just don't think it's necessary to be so tribal especially since many people cycle both ways!Johnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13249556186849245637noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2210935752673952814.post-45104496234496223412011-07-27T03:18:33.664+02:002011-07-27T03:18:33.664+02:00Bravo Mikael! Well said!Bravo Mikael! Well said!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2210935752673952814.post-6300582626851813612011-07-27T01:30:46.400+02:002011-07-27T01:30:46.400+02:00Cycle Chic awareness has changed my life profoundl...Cycle Chic awareness has changed my life profoundly, and I was already an established everyday cyclist when I stumbled on this blog in 2008. <br /><br />I think the whole thing is passion and art, hands down, and that is missing in our collective conscience desperately. It has to be hard work, threading the delicate balance between celebrating the physical culture of urban cycling, and sparking awareness of it so we can diametrically almost forget about it and then go about our lives improving the poetic experience of the cities we live in. Cycle Chic does tend to favor cities and the mannerisms associated with that kind of life, but, alas, most of us live in cites nowadays. Your manifesto seems applicable as a no-brainer, no? I think that critics should relax, basically. <br /><br />There will always be tedious enthusiasts (read: nerds) that tend to point out in a buzzkill grave manner the utter importance of a given routine or belief or activity. They lurk in every field and focus. All they succeed in doing, in my opinion, is selfishly drawing attention to the minutia and in turn, distract from the whole. I love it that Cycle Chic, for the most point, ignores them.cornliquordrinkerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12185459658566171558noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2210935752673952814.post-68162462567429336472011-07-26T16:23:13.907+02:002011-07-26T16:23:13.907+02:00I adore Cycle Chic but this post betrays are extre...I adore Cycle Chic but this post betrays are extremely inflated view of oneself. Worse, it perpetuates the us vs. them mentality that ends up hurting all cyclists.<br /><br />It's worth noting that some people ride more technical gear because it is the right tool for the job. I wear some nice Rapha wool stuff often on my commutes because it's comfortable and doesn't leave me stinking. MY COMMUTE IS TOO LONG AND HILLY TO GET AWAY WITH WEARING MY "CHIC" CLOTHING! I prefer to change into it at work and hopefully not wear those nice expensive clothes out.<br /><br />There are all types of bicycle advocacy and they all have their place. Demonstrating that people around the world can wear beautiful street clothes and happily get around on urban style bikes is wonderful. No less wonderful are the people working to get better and safer infrastructure for cyclists. Or, people working in bicycle collectives providing cheap bikes to the poorest people in a city. Or, those working with educational programs to help kids learn how to ride safely. Or, people who work with legislators to create better laws to protect and help cyclists. Or, people who just ride their bikes because they like it.<br /><br />Enjoy the ride!Reno Ramblerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01191509884448110114noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2210935752673952814.post-48393794920846476272011-07-26T12:22:57.570+02:002011-07-26T12:22:57.570+02:00thanks for calling attention to the immigrant comm...thanks for calling attention to the immigrant community and their use of bikes. I live in the section of my town where there is a huge Guatemalan/Mexican population ... and everyone rides a bike. And these guys can do anything on a bike, make a phone call, text, carry a heavy bag of laundry in the rain or snow ... I often think of them as the true heroes of everyday life. (And btw they never--at least rarely--are seen with helmets, and when I do hear of a bike accident it is always some good American, 'avid cyclist' type, not one of these guys.) Yeah, maybe they ride bikes because they "have" to ... but at least they do it.Gloriusnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2210935752673952814.post-88662319384323278782011-07-26T09:28:56.854+02:002011-07-26T09:28:56.854+02:00Not sure whether to laugh or cry about Cycle Chic....Not sure whether to laugh or cry about Cycle Chic. I'm an avid cyclist and could not care less what people choose to wear when they ride a bike. Just riding a bike is all that matters -- any type of bike -- it does not matter -- any day, anywhere, whatever. You are acting like there is some sort of trademark on bike fashion and cycle chic is the founder. What a load of rusty spoke nipples! Just ride your bike and be a human being, no one cares as much as you think, at least not me anyways!!jeff shttp://www.jsmod.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2210935752673952814.post-64134500562039975292011-07-25T20:47:35.759+02:002011-07-25T20:47:35.759+02:00Lagatta: Oh, the lycragearism and helmetoism.... *...Lagatta: Oh, the lycragearism and helmetoism.... *sighManfredKZhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12056177807012169778noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2210935752673952814.post-81503427657245976172011-07-25T20:25:13.617+02:002011-07-25T20:25:13.617+02:00"The concept of "cycle chic" has be..."The concept of "cycle chic" has been controversial almost from the moment it started."<br /><br />"No, it hasn't."<br /><br />No? No one ever said "Why isn't anyone wearing a helmet?" <br /><br />Rarely are your featured cyclists wearing a helmet. Yes, it's dorky, but it's like wearing a seatbelt - better safe than sorry. In this post, you spend a lot of time criticizing others and taking all the credit for making biking cool, and that makes me kind of dislike the blog, despite its sartorial value (albeit helmet-less a lot of the time).Akbnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2210935752673952814.post-56929973930910664462011-07-25T16:23:47.797+02:002011-07-25T16:23:47.797+02:00Well, obviously I agree with cycle chic and the ma...Well, obviously I agree with cycle chic and the main thrust of your comment here - the late Claire Morissette advocated cycling and looking chic 30 years ago - but don't quite agree about environmentalism. Some ecological-consciousness related publicity has been effective - the key is not to guilt people but show how they can live green and pleasant lives. <br /><br /><br />There was terrible "lycragear" and "helmetoid" backlash against a very mild and derivative article in the Globe and Mail (Toronto) not long ago about how to look smart on a bicycle, illustrated (horrors) by a woman in a dress, bareheaded.lagatta à montréalhttp://www.lemab.canoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2210935752673952814.post-1114320382603264942011-07-25T06:53:58.030+02:002011-07-25T06:53:58.030+02:00Great text Mikael! Posted on my Facebook and twitt...Great text Mikael! Posted on my Facebook and twitter. Hope Edmonton improves here... cheersManfredKZhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12056177807012169778noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2210935752673952814.post-85667663633765310582011-07-23T21:26:20.155+02:002011-07-23T21:26:20.155+02:00That was a serious waste of space on cycle chic. ...That was a serious waste of space on cycle chic. Show us bikes, people, and fashion. You guys and gals are great. My wife and I sold our Prius last year when we moved to Hawaii. We own two beautiful bikes and two bus passes. We rent a car each month for the Costco run. Thanks. You reminded us about how much we enjoy urban cycling.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2210935752673952814.post-76018217766277901442011-07-23T20:01:37.706+02:002011-07-23T20:01:37.706+02:00When Edinburgh Cycle Chic started, I was surprised...When Edinburgh Cycle Chic started, I was surprised by the level of resistance for other Scottish cycle campaigners and campaign groups. They objected to the idea of showing people riding bicycles without helmets! It really saddened me, thankfully this attitude is slowly changing.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2210935752673952814.post-82246048496281230442011-07-23T19:46:10.926+02:002011-07-23T19:46:10.926+02:00USE a stamp? What kind of barbarian are you?USE a stamp? What kind of barbarian are you?kfgnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2210935752673952814.post-50322581530521525272011-07-23T18:41:32.066+02:002011-07-23T18:41:32.066+02:00As if 'internet debate' means anything, or...As if 'internet debate' means anything, or will solve anything....<br /><br />I, too, have been 'changed' by this website, and for the better; I realized that I didn't have to push myself ALL the time, to set PR's, and cause myself to be exhausted at the end of every ride. I still DO push, just not as crazily as before. Funny how the joy is still there.....<br /><br />There will always be posers, as there will always be people who have to pigeonhole others, as there will be peo;lle who believe they have the answer to a question not asked.Clyde S. Dalehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15511029567374711456noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2210935752673952814.post-40180644441492321962011-07-23T18:07:49.364+02:002011-07-23T18:07:49.364+02:00Thank you Mikael ... posted a small blurb for you ...Thank you Mikael ... posted a small blurb for you guys here:<br /><br />http://bicyclegeek.wordpress.com/2011/07/23/happy-5th-cycle-chic/Nphorcerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15543601756155495033noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2210935752673952814.post-55216338277872022492011-07-23T02:42:48.956+02:002011-07-23T02:42:48.956+02:00I think cycle chic is great. But it's worth be...I think cycle chic is great. But it's worth being aware of how it can be perceived sometimes, and I don't just mean profiteering. BikePortland reports about when they were going to put in bike lanes in a black neighborhood. Some residents said they were pissed off that safe streets only became a priority once white people wanted to cycle on them. In a setting like that, it's possible that some people could feel excluded from cycle chic. Which is terrible, because the whole point of cycle chic is to be inclusive and not exclusive.<br /><br /><a href="http://bikeportland.org/2011/07/21/racism-rears-its-head-on-williams-project-56633" rel="nofollow">Meeting on Williams project turns into discussion of race, gentrification</a><br /><br />Sometimes it might be worth emphasizing that Citizen Cyclists and Cycle Chic are synonyms.Erik Sandblomhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14411108063216855210noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2210935752673952814.post-51416414345631742122011-07-23T00:39:56.673+02:002011-07-23T00:39:56.673+02:00Great post, glad you stuck up for yourself (and al...Great post, glad you stuck up for yourself (and all of us). Your blog is what made me realize I can get a bike and take my time riding somewhere, in my regular clothes. I fought riding a bike when I thought it meant I had to wear a special outfit and ride 30 miles an hour.twelvedaysoldhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12997858060469688563noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2210935752673952814.post-23136737145287292352011-07-23T00:14:34.482+02:002011-07-23T00:14:34.482+02:00GREAT, GREAT, GREAT post!!!!
Way to go, Cycle Chic...GREAT, GREAT, GREAT post!!!!<br />Way to go, Cycle Chic!<br />So proud of you!Mila Shttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16799119670657818548noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2210935752673952814.post-89842371393656476462011-07-22T23:54:56.649+02:002011-07-22T23:54:56.649+02:00Thank you for reminding me why I am a student of C...Thank you for reminding me why I am a student of Cycle Chic! There are so many bike advocacy groups out there that I can't get behind, but I can get behind being chic.<br /><br />Yes, I judge. I judge the spandexers who buy expensive gear and bikes to ride a few days a year. I judge the students who are too busy getting from A to B to follow the rules of the road. But we should all remember: the more of us on the road, the better off things will be for us all.<br /><br />Keep working at it, and I hope the haters leave you alone!Jenny!https://www.blogger.com/profile/07198377509838166651noreply@blogger.com