Swedish Winter Cycle Chic

Some great shots from Olof at Malmö/Lund Cycle Chic in Southern Sweden.

Looks like the temperature has finally crawled above freezing in Copenhagen - and Malmö/Lund - and the snow is slowly melting for now.

Malmö / Lund Cycle Chic

It's about time, really. Olaf has just launched Malmö/Lund Cycle Chic and we're loving it. Malmö is Sweden's third largest city and it's a mere 30 minutes from Copenhagen by train. Lund is just a bit farther north. It is these two cities that cycle the most in Sweden, inspired by their close proximity to Copenhagen. Both rank high on Copenhagenize's Most Bicycle-Friendly Cities list. Malmö has about 30% trips by bike and Lund is at 43%.

I stopped in Lund the other day, on my way to a canoe trip on a Swedish river, and it was spectacular to see how many bicycles there were on the streets.

So... let's hear it for Malmö/Lund Cycle Chic. Welcome on board.

Both Sides of The Sound

The Sound is the name of the sea between Copenhagen and Sweden and, on the other side is Malmö, Sweden's third largest city. They ride bikes, too. Upwards of 25% of all trips are made by bike. It's a lovely place to visit, only 30 minutes on the train from Copenhagen.

You get to see so many cool Swedish bikes - Crescent and Hermes/new and old. Normal bikes, of course. With normal people on normal clothes riding them.

What a beauty. For more smashing Malmöliciousness on bikes...

Meanwhile, back in Copenhagen

Don't fancy unsightly raingear? Forget your brolley at home in your rush to get to the café? Not to worry. Just wrap your scarf around your head and you're a female Lawrence of Copenhagnia in the light summer rain.

It's a criss-cross bike world. I love the couple holding hands on the right.

Self-Irony

Cycle Chic Goes To Sweden

Zipping across Stora Torg [Large Square] in the Malmö sunshine.

Malmö is Sweden's third largest city and it Sweden's leading bike city. Bikes are an important part of life here, just as they are in dozens and dozens of European cities. While we will go to our grave claiming that Copenhagen is the most stylish capital in Europe, Malmö does have it's flashes of cycle chic.

Most importantly, the citizens have understood, like millions of others around the world, that urban cycling is something to be done in your normal clothes and on normal bikes. There are great segregated bike lanes and infrastructure and bikes abound in bike racks all over the city.

It's the easiest way to get around town.

Bring a friend down to the harbour and have a laugh.

Stylish Swedish Gentleman by the harbour.

High heeled cycling, Malmö style.

Heading to the harbour for some afternoon sunshine.

A hub of fashionable cyclists.

Dapper chap transporting toilet paper.

Cool old school chain guard on a Swedish Crescent bike.

Looks like any Central Station in Northern Europe.