May Day - Demonstration Cycle Chic

May Day - the first of May - is a popular day for demonstrations. There are all manner of festivities and traditions celebrating this International Workers Day and last Saturday there was a large demonstration that wove its way through the city streets. You can read more about May Day in Copenhagen over at this post on Copenhagenize.com, as well as see our massive armadas of cargo bikes. Here at Cycle Chic we'll focus on Demonstration Cycle Chic.

There were thousands of people and easily thousands of bicycles. It was a festive event so most people walked their bikes along as they talked and drank beers.

Nothing like a rainy day smile.



What a groovy little cluster of Copenhageners.

Climate Demonstration Cycle Chic

Hot off the presses - or rather the memory card - are these Climate Demonstration Cycle Chic shots.

Earlier today Felix and I rolled out to what was expected to be a highlight of the current climate conference here in Copenhagen. A massive demonstration that walked from the parliament to the conference centre.

The photo, above, is the demonstration's finest, chic'est Copenhagen avec bicyclette.

It's worth mentioning that the temperature was just above freezing.

Here's another excellent cycle chic Copenhagener.
The news here in Copenhagen is reporting that 100,000 people took part and it really was a brilliant demonstration. It was amazingly global with different languages spoken all around you. Many people stood along the roads and watched. Felix and I walked with the crowds for a while and then pulled over to just stare in awe at the masses of peaceful demonstrators.

It was great that he could see this. You have to go back decades to find a demonstration of this size in Copenhagen.

The number of bicycles was amazing, too. Families with cargo bikes, citizens of all ages walking their bikes, you name it. This chap is the clear winner of the Cycle Chic pour hommes award today.


Here's Felix standing in the cargo bay of our Bullitt cargo bike, from where he watched the world - literally - go by.

More Ladies on Bikes, Please

Sustrans, the UK's leading sustainable transport charity, has started a petition on their BikeBelles website that encourages women to cycle

They interviewed 'over 1000 women to find out what they believed would most persuade them and other women to cycle more'.

'Overwhelmingly women wanted more cycle lanes separated from traffic, so Sustrans has launched our Motion for Women petition calling on governments to prioritise the creation of environments that encourage and support cycling, including cycle paths separated from traffic, as a way of enabling many more women to travel by bike.'

In Copenhagen, half of the citizens cycling each day are women. Much the same is seen around Denmark and Holland.

Sustrans has started a petition to show support for safer bicycle infrastructure.

Cycle Chic encourages you to sign the petition until November 29, 2009 right here.

An Australian Cyclist

This lovely and stylish cyclist is Sue, from New South Wales, Australia. She always rides her bicycle and loves it.

What's more, Sue has become an inspiration to cyclists everywhere.

Demonstration Cycle Chic

It is quite acceptable to look fashionable at political demonstrations in Copenhagen. There were a few thousand people gathered on the City Hall Square to voice their protest against the Gaza Invasion, with focus on the loss of civilian lives. Many Copenhageners stopped on their way home from work to hear the speeches.





Here's another demonstration shot featuring a bike from a couple years ago.