Shameless Self-Promotion for New Book

There has been talk of a 'blook' [book + blog = blook] based on the Copenhagen Cycle Chic blog and while it is well on the way, it is a larger undertaking than I first anticipated. Choosing a publisher, selecting photos, writing text. All exciting and yet time-consuming.

I was playing around with some self-publishing websites to see what they had to offer and I suddenly decided upon a theme for a photo book. I have many photos of zebra crossings [crosswalks to some] on Flickr and I have now gathered the best of them in a book of 135 photos of zebra crossings from 10 countries.

"Stripey Streetness - Zebra Crossing Moods" is the title, taken from a group on Flickr that I started for the purpose of providing a showcase of the best shots from around the world featuring these stripey zones.

"A splendid photo series about the zebra crossing as an instantly recognisable symbol in the urban landscape. 130 photographs from 10 countries celebrating that striped zone created in order to keep people out of harm's way by providing safe passage across city streets. Painted bridges that guide the bustling masses of pedestrians through a city.

The zebra crossing is not a destination it itself but it is an important tool in getting yourself from A to B. It funnels all types of people together into one space, for a few brief minutes of togetherness. We are strangers but while waiting for the light to change and for those dozen or so steps through the zone we are in a flock.

This photo series shows city life and city people framed within the zebra crossing. People coming and going and waiting. All of them telling us stories with their body language. Wide strides or short steps. Hunched shoulders or head held high. The zebra crossing becomes a stage on which people around the world are brought together."

Most of the photos are taken in Copenhagen so there is ample opportunity to see a splash of cycle chic. The book is available online at Lulu.com. Just in time for Christmas... :-)

Saturday Simplicity

Two strangers sharing a red light moment.

Cicloeleganza in Milano

Our intrepid - and frightfully fashionable fashionista - friend Raquel from Madrid was on the Cycle Chic beat in Milano recently, recording a series of cicloeleganza shots for us here at the blog.

A splendid series of shots of citizens enjoying a cycling life in the Italian city. Cyclists who are clearly feel safe and secure and who know that taking it easy is the safest way to ride.

CPH Cycle Chic in A-dam

This is Marc from Amsterdamize who was so sweet to show Copenhagen Cycle Chic around Amsterdam this summer. We can't wait to drink him under the table if he ever dares to show up here in CPH...

A series of Amsterdam beauties:














To say whether Amsterdam or Copenhagen is the most cycle chic city is like having to choose between salty licorice and chocolate... (very difficult for a Dane, actually!)

But then, if you can combine the two (CPH & A-dam cycle chic), why bother?

Here's a video Marc shot while biking Velomama (aka Marie) around town. We're discussing the differences between Amsterdam and Copenhagen's bike culture - for instance the use of panniers and boxes vs. baskets, the use of bike locks and the extend of traffic regulation in the two cities...

Eek not Ick

Another cracking photo from our mate Derek Pearson of Bikerubbish.com in Washington, USA. Thanks, mate.

I've discovered that many people pronounce the title of this blog [lifestyle, movement, source of inspiration] as Chic[k], to rhyme with 'flick' or 'kick' or 'Titanic' but we'd just like to point out that when pronouncing Chic you'll be wanting to say so that rhymes with 'sleek', 'cheek' or 'fantastique'.

In other words, we're not aiming for the US English 'Chick', which orginates by the way from the Spanish 'chica' for girl. We're aiming for the French word, 'Chic' meaning "smart elegance and sophistication especially of dress or manner". I knew that, but I found the fancy description by googling. Did you know you can type define:YOURWORD into google and press enter? It finds word meanings if you do. Try it. It's cool.


So is riding your bike complete with a surfboard rack. Thanks to Richard of Cyclicio.us fame, over in Santa Cruz, USA, for getting out there to snap it upon our request.

Get your own knuckles at the knuckle tattoo gun.

Let them know you ride chic and aren't afraid of telling people about it.

Encroaching Darkness

The days are getter shorter and cooler. Today the day is 7 hours and 5 minutes shorter than on the summer solstice - 21 June. No wonder Danes buy more candles than any other nation. Keeping the winter evenings and nights cosy.

Despite the fading light, the bicycles continue to roll. Like the Copenhagener above. She just commenced off the light. Hasn't rolled more than 5 cm. but she is in motion.

The short winter days make the appearance of brilliant sunshine all the more spectacular, especially when riding to work in the morning. You cherish it.


Been a while since The Sartorialist has posted a bicycle shot but here's a fresh one from Milano.

Kulturnat

Each October, on the Friday before the kids' autumn holidays, Copenhagen features Culture Night - Kulturnat. It's a great evening where everything is open until midnight. Museums, castles, exhibitions, the parliament, you name it. Streets are closed off and Copenhageners walk or ride around from event to event. Needless to say, the bicycles reign supreme.

It's festive and lovely and all in the name of culture.

Copensmile

I was riding with a group from Portland and we were being a little loud and a lot funny when we pulled up to the light and this Copenhagener turned and smiled. The social benefits of cycling in Copenhagen are many and most are brilliant.

Tandem Glamour in New York City

Joanna Goddard from Glamour.com sent me this blarticle of hers about this lovely couple and their tandem in New York. Thanks, Joanna! Be sure to read about them, where they got the bike and what it's like to ride it at the website.

Art Imitates Copenhagen Life

I nabbed an inflight magazine from Sterling Airlines that featured this classic Cycle Chic image on the cover of the Sept/Oct 2008 issue. What a splendid shot. Sterling flies around Europe so if you're planning on coming to Copenhagen, they are very reasonably priced. The magazine is published by Ink Publishing.

And while we love seeing beautiful shots inspired by Copenhagen Cycle Chic, we love the real thing even more. Like these shots from the morning rush hour last week:

German Cycle Chic

Due to travel, computer problems and lots of work (yeah ok it's no excuse!), Velomama has been away from the blog for a while - physically, if not mentally!

This summer, Velomama went around Europe with an InterRail pass. It gives you free travel by train all over Europe for a given period of time and is good value for money if you have the time to spend hours and hours in trains! (Very environmentally friendly & slow travel-like).

First stop was Gera in Eastern Germany, where my good mate Sam Hopkins was artist-in-residence. Here on his bike with girlfriend Nina on the pedals.



Then on a train to Hamburg, where cycle chics crowded the area outside the Central Station..



Stay tuned for more pics from Amsterdam, Marseille and Serbia...

It's good to be back!
Love, Velomama

Shades of Gold

Golden colour on the gloriously car-free Nørrebrogade.





A golden yellow mini-bike leading the pack.

This is how you watch a concert [lead singer wearing a golden dress] on the City Hall Square. On or beside your bike.

Splashes of Red [et un quebecois]

Autumnal rainbow in Copenhagen.

The all-important colour coordination.


Frightfully stylish Quebecois riding along the canal. Safe to say he is completely integrated into the Copenhagen scene with his choice of clothing. We had a coffee and a bite to eat and a long, wonderful chat about bicycle culture.