Free Christiania

Saw this chap on Knippels Bridge, proudly holding the flag of Christiania, the freetown here in Copenhagen.

1968

Classic photograph from the hand of Henri Cartier-Bresson, taking in Paris, May 1968, during the society-changing demonstrations iniated by the students.

Melbourne Cycle Chic - and a demonstration

I've now returned home to Copenhagen after giving a keynote speech at the brilliant State of Design festival in Melbourne. It was fantastic to meet so many wonderful people but especially fantastic to meet some Cycle Chicistas who made the trip to Melbourne for the talk. At left is Jenny - AKA Unity Finesmith - from Auckland Cycle Chic and, at right in the lovely green gloves, is Saskia from A Spirit of Place and Cycle Chic Sundays - Sydney.


Here's another friend, Dr Paul Martin, with his wife on the left and Jenny on the right. In addition to the State of Design keynote, there was a brilliantly, well-dressed bicycle-related protest on the Saturday. We all went for a bike ride on the new bike share bikes in Melbourne. Which sounds nice until you consider the fact that Melbourne has bike helmet laws. We were part of a protest/demonstration and you can read much more about it over at Copenhagenize.com


Here are some other chic cyclists enjoying the ride and the protest.


And a spot of Canine Demonstration Cycle Chic. His name is Bon Bon.

All in all it was quite possibly the chic'est demonstration I've ever been involved in.

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.