Cycle Chic®

9 October 2009

Greetings in Paris

She was looking around for him, and he for her. He spotted her first. Rang his bell. She caught sight of him. Waved. Smiled.

He rolled gently up and it was cheek kissing all round.

Gesticulation in Paris

It may look like she is gesticulating in anger at the motorist, but the people in the car were asking directions and she didn't know. They were laughing as I passed by on Rue du Rivoli in Paris.

8 October 2009

I rode around Paris in the middle of the day. I know that in the mornings there are more people cycling to work, including more 'cyclistes sportifs'. But during the day it really is amazing to see great numbers of, not least, well-dressed gents on Velib bicycles or their own.

There is no age or wage restriction. There are studenty types and frightfully elegant older chaps in frightfully expensive shoes.

Most are riding alone - transporting themselves quickly from A to B in the city which is the whole point really, but some ride together.

Paris really has this Bicycle Culture 2.0 figured out.

This chap was with, I assume, a colleague. They were chatting avidly in the dense, almost stationary, traffic along the Seine. Just a part of the traffic equation. We were in a bus lane at this point, which cyclists can share if there isn't separated infrastructure. Ahead of us the traffic was immobile. The bus behind us dinged at us - the busses have cute little electronic dings that sound like bike bells! - and we all turned to stare at the bus driver. There was nowhere to go, not even room for a bicycle to squeeze through the merging car traffic. He just shrugged Gallic'ly, as did we.

When a hole opened up, the bicycles zipped through it, leaving the bus behind.

7 October 2009

Snack Stop in Paris

Brilliant. Sums up cycling in Paris. Waiting patiently for pedestrians to cross while snacking on a sandwich.

Spent a few hours Velibbing around the city today. What a treat. Bicycle lanes all over the place and bicycles using them. Amazing to see. All just regular citizens in regular clothes. Both on the Velib bikes from the bike share system, but on their own bikes as well.

6 October 2009

New York Bicycle Bridges

A little film about Bicycle Bridges, shot on a bike ride over Manhattan Bridge to Brooklyn and back over Brooklyn Bridge.

A bit of cycle chic, a bit of New York.

5 October 2009

Autumnal

A quiet cycling moment on a drizzly autumn day.

Denmark DC

When you're head of Public Diplomacy, Culture and Communication for the Danish Embassy in Washington, DC, it certainly doesn't hurt to ride in style around the city.

And on a smashingly elegant Pedersen bicycle. A design by Michael Pedersen dating from 1893 and revived by the designer Jesper Sølling in the 1970's.

4 October 2009

Cycle Chic Wedding Days

Thanks to Raquel in Madrid for the link to these lovely wedding photos from California. Thanks to our intrepid correspondent Raquel from Gratis Total.

And to Ellen from Governors Island in New York for these lovely shots. Note the arrows on the pavement... they are side by side, making it clear that cycling with a friend is more than welcome. One of Ellen's own ideas for helping bicycle culture blossom on Governors Island. A little extra paint but a lot of positive symbolism.

Here's the bride heading over the Brooklyn Bridge.

You can read more about Governors Island - and plan your imminent visit - on the Island's blog right here. There are loads of bicycle friendly activities on the island.

3 October 2009

New York Cycle Chic

Brooklyn.

Downtownishness.

Ditto.

US Postal Serviceishness.

2 October 2009

New York Cycle Chic / Bridges

On my recent visit to New York City I had the opportunity to ride around the city - not as much as I would have liked - but here are some photos from a couple of the bridges. Brooklyn Bridge above.