Bike Parking and Stockings

Bike Parking, originally uploaded by [Zakkaliciousness].

Outside a metro station near here. You always try to remember where you parked your bike, but you still have to search for it.

And it doesn't hurt to do it looking fabulous, in boots and layered stockings, which are all the rage this winter.

Guest Photo[s]: Jersey City & Nancy, France

A big thank you to two our of readers. Firstly, Kathleen in Jersey City, who sent the above photo of herself and a good friend. Let's let Kathleen say it best:

"At home in Jersey City, across the river from New York, I ride my bicycle to work at my antique clothing shop and also use it to run almost all of my errands. I have the usual reasons: exercise, environment, difficult to park a car at the post office and bank, etc.

It is also important that my bike be a sort of spokesmachine for my shop, because style is my business. It is a low-slung machine that looks very 1970s, especially with the flowered basket I added. What made me choose this bike was that I could ride it wearing just about any feminine outfit--I have ridden it wearing 1950s circle skirts, 1960s chiffon cocktail dresses, 1940s pencil skirts, and of course an assortment of high heeled boots and shoes.

But my most important question for now is, IS there a New York chapter of your organization? I admit I didn't do an exhaustive search of your blog but didn't see anything from my area. Not a surprise since New Yorkers and Jersey Cityites view city biking as something akin to roller derby. Yet I know so many people who, given a bit of encouragement and camaraderie, would join a movement like yours. If there isn't one already, I'm ready to start one!"

A wonderful email, Kathleen, and thanks very much for thinking of us. Feel free to send any other cycle chic photos our way. We had never thought about us being a 'movement' but it sounds kind of cool!

And here is a lovely shot from Nancy [the city in France, bien sur], sent to us by Stéphane. Thanks very much!

grey, black, blue, blonde

girl, originally uploaded by Aaron78.

So we're taking a lot of shots from behind at the moment. . . but there are good reasons. When you do that, you also get the vista of the street scene playing out in front of the subject. There's always a few things happening worth commenting on.

Here you can see the painted blue bike lane running horizontally across the shot, Vesterport station to the left, and behind that the lurid Palads cinema. Note also the grey plastic bag on her seat, a classic way to keep your bum dry. I'm sure it was just coincidence that the colour of the bag matched her boots. ;)

Cyclopornography Film - Copenhagen Bike Ride

Finally... we got around to slapping a Gorillapod - flexible camera tripod - onto one of our bikes. Setting the film function to 'time lapse' and hitting the bike lanes.

It's a simple, funky little film. A journey from my place to the City Hall Square and back again another way. Just a quick 6-7 km journey in the lovely winter sunshine.

On bike lanes the entire way. It's worth noting that I rode in the afternoon. During rush hour you'd see hundreds more bikes. We'll try to get out one day to capture this Copenhagen phenonemon.

Until then, enjoy this one.

The Nocturnal Life of Copenhagen Bikes

A spot of darkness doesn't stop the bikes in Copenhagen.


The bikes continue to roll, people continue to pedal their way from here to there and back again.

Waiting Raum

Waiting Raum, originally uploaded by [Zakkaliciousness].

Nothing beats a beat-up old Raleigh, a stylish outfit and a pensive moment waiting at a Copenhagen traffic light.

Bike Lane Transport

Typical Copenhagen. A female citizen in a frightfully short skirt, stockings and boots speeding along the bike lane, carrying an enormous bag and chatting happily away on her mobile phone.

Most bike lanes in the city are separated from the motor traffic by a kerb [US: curb] and, on the other side, separated from the pavement [US: sidewalk] by another one.

In this case, above, the bike lane was recently widened and a thick white line separates the bikes from the vehicles.

No matter, really. Everyone knows which side of the line they need to be on.

In Copenhagen, motorists are just cyclists using cars. Almost everyone rides, so this co-existence is fundemental to keeping the peace on the streets.

There are confrontations, sure. Mad cyclists and mad motorists. One in every crowd. But generally, we all just get on with it.

Hurray Beret

Hurray Beret, originally uploaded by [Zakkaliciousness].

It's all the rage this winter.
Warms the heart of this francophile.
Although in Danish, they're called "Basque hats".
Go figure.

On another mundane note, Danish pastries are called 'Viennese Bread' in Denmark. I've never figured out what they call them in Vienna.

Winter Coats

Winter coats, originally uploaded by Aaron78.

A stylish Copenhagener on the morning commute.

Vintage Bike Poster Screensaver

By popular demand we thought we'd whip up another screensaver. We do like the graphic arts, and we thought it fitting to include historic bike posters featuring the ancestral cyclists that inspired Copenhagen Cycle Chic.

Back in the day it was the impeccably stylish French and Italians who had the last word on chic posters advocating bike brands and usage. What a splendid array of vintage girls on bikes.

The screensaver is 1024x768.

Green Light Duo *

Green Light Duo *, originally uploaded by [Zakkaliciousness].

Heading home from the supermarket in my neighbourhood. Note the cool green lights on the left that denote a bike lane. They are so sparkling bright at night.

Copenhageners ride 1.2 million kilometres a day. Although not always accompanied by lovely green lights.

Braving the Winter Bike Lanes

A brave soul on the bike lanes of Copenhagen. Not because it is winter, not at all. But wearing white on her commute through the city. That's brave.

But sometimes you take have to take risks to look fabulous. And that's what fenders are for, after all. Good thing it isn't raining, is all we have to say.

Heels and furs and a speedy pace. Such is a cycling life in Copenhagen.

Guest Photo: Victoria, Canada

This just popped into our inbox. Ferried by bits and bytes through cyberspace all the way from Victoria, Canada. Thanks very much to Ariella for sending this wonderful photo of her good friend riding her lovely old Phillips cruiser bike on a splendid fall day.

"I recently read about your blog in a copy of Momentum that I picked up in Victoria, BC, and have been reading it ever since! It's fantastic! I've also been reading Cycleliciousness which is also awesome.

"I don't even think about biking as something I do, it just IS something I do. Reading about your bike culture has been quite inspiring to me and encourages me to keep on doing what I do, just living and biking daily, in stylish clothes and all."

More power to you, Ariella. You're just out there doin' it. Getting it done. (which is really the point of our controversial Critical Mass or Critical Miss? post). You have our utmost respect and we are thrilled to include your photo here in the growing Guest Photo category. Thanks for thinking of us and feel free to send more photographic gems!

Lunch?

Lunch, originally uploaded by [Zakkaliciousness].

Perusing the menu at a sandwich place. Wearing standard Copenhagen cycling clothes, of course.

Shiny laquer boots are all the rage this year, as are patterned stockings. She even has her knitted hat and a Winter 2007 jacket.

All cycle chic - but with an empty tummy.

Steady As She Goes

Steady As She Goes, originally uploaded by [Zakkaliciousness].

You have to stay focused in the traffic. You have to "keep your tongue straight in your mouth", as we say in Danish. And keeping a firm foot on the ground helps, too.

A typical Copenhagen sight. Work on the back carrier, groceries in the basket and a moment later she exited stage right to glide into a kindergarten to pick up her kid.