Showing posts with label vitoria. Show all posts
Showing posts with label vitoria. Show all posts

17 November 2012

Cycle Chic Calendar 2013 - Out Now!


For the fifth year running, the Cycle Chic Calendar 2013 is out! We're pleased to present this calendar and hope it can get places in time for Christmas... and January 1st.

This year the calendar features Cycle Chic photos from Copenhagen (no surprise) as well as Montreal, Rio, Sao Paulo, Vitória (Brazil), Amsterdam, Budapest, Zagreb, Dublin and, Berlin.

We've even chucked in a velomobile in a moment of craziness! But the guy is the most dapper chap ever to grace a velomobile and he rides past our offices every day. If that's not crazy enough for you, we even feature a tall bike and drop handlebars!

Enjoy. It's available over at Lulu.com.

21 October 2012

Top Three Cycle Chic Police Forces

We were asked a good question the other day. "Which cities have the cycle chic'est police officers on bicycles?" After some thought and a look in our photo archives, we thought we'd whip up a list based on what we've seen over the past five or six years. We admit we haven't seen every cycling policeman in every city, so there may be more out there. Please let us know in the comments.

Finding the number one spot was not difficult. Off to Japan we go.

1. TOKYO, JAPAN (and other Japanese cities)
Tokyo Policeman
Leave it to the Japanese to excel in uniforms. Perfectly pressed shirts and trousers, shined shoes and dapper caps abound on the cycling police officers.

We love the bicycles they ride, too. Sensible steeds, with proper chainguards and an upright position. We'd love to have a look in that box on the back rack, but we've never dared asking.

The cycling Japanese police officers are everything a cycling police officer should be. A uniform that commands respect and authority and that allows the police officer to blend in with the citizens. If you're stopped by a cop as you walk or cycle through the city - or have to approach one for directions - it is certainly best if they are dressed in a uniform that regular citizens can relate to. As opposed to a spacey outfit made out of stretchy, artificial fibers and all sorts of sportif gear.

So dapper are the gentleman policeman in Japan, like in the above photo, that we have to repress the urge to salute and stand up a little bit straighter as they pass.

2. FERRARA, ITALY
Police on Bicycles in Ferrara, Italy
Che sorpresa that we're going to Italy for the number two spot. In Italy's premier cycling city, Ferrara, with 30% modal share for bicycle users, these two police officers commanded our respect and admiration. Pillars of calm in a world of chaos. And helpful as wayfinders to boot. 

It was autumn when we were last there and sensible, styled jackets were de rigeur for the cycling police force. Not to mention impeccible uniforms and splendid hats. And my goodness, we love their bicycles, too. Matching his and hers models.

3. AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS
Amsterdam Cycle Chic - Police
These two police officers were casually watching the crowds wander past on Dam Square, having a chat as they did so. Like every Amsterdammer, they exuded a cool and approachable demeanour. If you don't feel like you could sit down and have a coffee with a police officer then they aren't doing their job right.

The bicycle cops we see in Amsterdam roll along with the flow, blending in with the urban landscape. You don't doubt, however, that when they need to muscle it - chasing a suspect or responding to an emergency - they will do so with vigour and graceful speed - they're Dutch after all.

HONOURABLE MENTION
VITÓRIA, BRAZIL
Vitoria Policeman
While a bulletproof vest may be a bit of an exaggeration rolling along the beach on a Saturday in 35 degree heat in a lovely, beach city like Vitória, these police officers don't look like it bothers them. That's the key, really. If their dress code dictates that they have to carry around all manner of police equipment, you as a citizen don't want them to look like they're some Rambo bumbling through the jungle. They have to make it look effortless and even stylish. Citizens should be able to reflect themselves in their law enforcement officers and this chap appears approachable and calm, cool and collected.

HONOURABLE MENTION
BARCELONA, CATALONIA

Police Recruitment Poster
While we haven't recorded a cycling cop in Barcelona, we love this recruitment poster stating that the city was recruiting 150 new officers. Lovely, sensible bicycles placed firmly and proudly alongside the police cars and scooters. That earns an honourable mention in our books.

3 August 2012

Friday Night Lights

Vienna Cycle Chic-007
Vienna Cycle Chic
We're going out tonight. There is a 50% chance of clear skies, and a 100% chance that either way, we will be getting there by bicycle.
Vitoria Dora-004
Vitoria Cycle Chic
Copenhagen Nights
Copenhagen summer night
Knippels Bridge Jumping 2
Copenhagen summer night/morning, bridge jumping into the canal

17 June 2012

Vitória Cycle Chic - Sunday Streets

Vitoria Bike
Like most modern cities, Vitoria closes off streets on Sundays so that the citizens can ride bikes, skateboards, rollerblades, or whatever they like. It's called Ciclovia in some places. It's brilliant. Here's a bit of what I saw in Vitoria last month.

Vitoria Surf and Pull
Riding with a surfboard is nothing special in Brazil, but I love that he is towing the boy along with the rope.

Vitoria Skate and Ride_2
Skateboards and bicycles are also standard fare in Brazil, but this is just spectacular.

Vitoria Cyclists_1 Vitoria Cyclists Vitoria Cyclists
Family time.

Vitoria Cyclists Doubling Vitoria Cyclist Vitoria Cyclists_7
Kids time.

Vitoria Cyclists_5 Vitoria Cyclists_6
Creative contraption time.

Vitoria Skate_4 Vitoria Skate_3 Vitoria Skate
Skate time.

Vitoria Skate and Ride
Skate/bike/family time.

Vitoria Cyclists_2
Pet time.

Vitoria_3
Bikini/bike time. It's Brazil, after all.

Vitoria Tattoo

16 June 2012

Vitória Cycle Chic - Brazil

Vitoria Cycle Chic Ride_1
I went to fantasyland. On a trip to Brazil for Cycle Chic/Copenhagenize work last month, I was invited to the city of Vitoria for a visit. I accepted happily and booked my flight from Sao Paulo. It was only once I arrived that I realised that I had no idea where on the planet I was. I hadn't looked at a map to see where Vitoria was located. I just bought the ticket and arrived there.

It was a strange sensation not knowing where I was. After having travelled the world for so many years, it felt odd. I still don't know if I was north or south of Rio de Janeiro. But it didn't matter. It was actually quite cool arriving in this beautiful city on the sea named Victory.
Vitoria Dora_3
It was Dora, from Vitoria Cycle Chic, who invited me. She is one of the many passionate individuals in our Cycle Chic Republic who are using our Cycle Chic trademark to promote cycling positively.

Dora is a bicycle stylist. Her company - Bike Caverna - restores and redesigns vintage bicycles - and Brazil is a country with A LOT of vintage bicycles.
Vitoria_2
I was given this lovely bicycle to use while in Vitoria. And there were many more of her creations on our Cycle Chic bike ride on the Sunday:
Vitoria Bicycles (2) Vitoria Bicycles_5
And of course there was a bicycle ride. That is one thing we at the Cycle Chic Republic love to do.

Vitoria Cycle Chic Ride-002
It's a beautiful little city. Located on an island facing the Atlantic. Calm and cool and oh so Brazilian. A little pearl of a place that foreign visitors rarely experience.
Vitoria Cycle Chic Ride_8 Vitoria Cycle Chic Vitoria Cycle Chic Ride_5 Vitoria Cycle Chic Ride-001 Vitoria Dora-004 Vitoria Cycle Chic Ride_2

Vitoria cycle Chic_1
It was a dreamy two days in Vitoria. Good friends, good food and lots of citizen cycling around.
Vitoria Cycle ChicVitoria Cycle Chic Ride_10

Vitoria Parking
Like many of my Brazilian friends, Dora uses her allocated parking spot at her flat for intelligent transport storage.

Vitoria Victoria Vitoria Policeman
Vitoria Tattoo Vitoria Cycle Chic Ride_4
I have discovered Fantasyland. It left an indelible impression on me.
Vitoria Dorissima

Vitoria Cycle Chic Ride_9 Vitoria Vitor_1 Vitoria Juri Vitoria Cycle Chic Ride-005

Vitoria Victoria

Vitoria Dora_2

Vitoria Cycle Chic - Dora
Sigh.