27 April 2008

Guest Photos from Washington State

Guest Photo from Derek from bikerubbish.com
Here are some more splendid photos from one of our regular contributors - about time we calld him a foreign correspondant - Derek, from Washington State. Check him out at bikerubbish.com. Thanks for the photos, Derek! Keep spreading the Cycle Chic.
Guest Photo from Derek from bikerubbish.com
Guest Photo from Derek from bikerubbish.com

26 April 2008

Springtime, Foraar, Printemps, Primavera

Kongens Nytorv
An average Copenhagener on an average bike in the gorgeous spring sunshine. As we've mentioned before, on average 37% of the population ride their bikes each day but on sunny spring and summer days that number rises over 50%.

Infrastruktur
Bike lanes in Copenhagen. The arrows on the ground indicate which lane you want if you are heading straight on or turning right. Separating the bike lanes from the motorised traffic is the foundation of any sustainable bike culture. So get down to city hall and start your lobbying! :-)

Red At Red Lights
A whole lot of red at the red light.

Canal People
A fine example of how a wicker bike basket is used while off the bike. A means of carrying your shopping or as a replacement for a purse. The basket above has metal hooks that let it hang on the handlebars, making it easy to lift off and carry into shops or, in this case, down to the canals to enjoy the sun.

25 April 2008

19 Copenhagen Minutes

There is a website out there that features 82 pictures of Amsterdam bicycles in 73 minutes, taken by a tourist. I was sitting on a bench with a friend, enjoying the sunshine yesterday, and I got a spontaneous idea. I started shooting photos and ended up with 52 decent photos in 19 minutes before I had to head home.

The photos were taken between 14:01 and 14:20 on 24 April 2008. They only represent a fraction of the bikes that went past in both directions. Here are some of the highlights in true Cycle Chic style, but the whole set features all manner of Copenhageners. Young and old, men and women, old bikes and new bikes. You name it.

14:10 - 19 Copenhagen Minutes
Taken at 14:10
14:04 - 19 Copenhagen Minutes
Taken at 14:04
14:02 - 19 Copenhagen Minutes
Taken at 14:02
14:12 - 19 Copenhagen Minutes
Taken at 14:12

In order to see the whole set in all it's glory, you can see it on this Flickr Slideshow - it opens in a new window.

23 April 2008

The Art of Traversing a Square and other photos

The Art of Traversing a Square
The typical Copenhagen way of getting around the "don't ride on the square" law. She's not riding, she's coasting.

Twelve Women and Half a Man
Twelve Women and Half a Man. Goodness me. On this stretch of street there are 25,000 cyclists a day. It wasn't a bad thing to see so many female Copenhageners at the light. Sorry I didn't have time to photoshop that helmet out of the photo. :-)

Blue Shoes and an Admirer
It's springtime. Men look at women. Women look at men. It's anthropology.

Sunglasses Check
Total style over speed.

Strolling, Whirling, Flittering

They're just everywhere, these girls on bikes. The grace! The casualness! The everyday coolness of being!




We've said it before. Style over speed. In this photo, it's easy to see who's into it and who isn't. The light is red all the same.

Bike Culture Buddha

Smooth Metal Surfaces
A little urban detail that is oft overlooked or even unnoticed in Copenhagen is the metal on the poles at traffic lights.

As the Copenhagener in the photo illustrates, it is often easier to just lean against the walk signal pole while waiting for the light.

So many people do it that the metal on all the poles along bike lanes at intersections is worn and smooth from hundreds of thousands of hands.

A bike culture version of rubbing the Buddha's tummy.

Nocturnal
The nocturnal life of bicycles in Copenhagen. A quiet Tuesday evening. John Arne Riise's own goal was an anti-climax and riding home was a mute affair. Until a poetic sight presented itself in the urban night.
Urban Crossing
Crossing over to the far side to hop onto her bike on the bike lane. Fashion-wise, the trend this winter of having double-up stockings in boots - with one pair just sticking up over the boots - is still going strong, but now that spring is here, it will interesting to see if it survives the warmer temperatures.

22 April 2008

Carry Go Bring Come

Copenhagen Cycle Chic goes quizzing: Spot the two pizzas, the 8 rolls of toilet paper, the dog Victor and the bottle of Jack D. Shouldn't be that difficult.



And find spring. It's all over town. Rays of sunshine at 7 pm. Yay.

What's the strangest thing you've ever carried on your bike?

21 April 2008

Sustainable and Sociable

Sustainable Sociability
As ever, cycling in Copenhagen is a sociable affair. You go on dates on your bikes, to the cinema, a café, to work and home again. It's physical. You ride close to each other and can talk freely. You're both in motion, moving forward. Talking. Listening. Being together.
Two Fine Transport Options
Bike. Bus. Both start with B. Coincedence?
Copenhagenize Poster
Here's another poster available on our online boutique. This one features images of Copenhagen's bike culture. Capturing a mood, a style, a way of life.

This poster and the first one will be featured in an upcoming exhibition that will travel around the world. More on that as we get the detailed information.

Leather Bag Street



Three chic Copenhagen cyclists going down the same street. All wearing leather bags. Classic, elegant and practical - just like cycling.

Carry Go Bring Come

Copenhagen Cycle Chic goes quizzing: Spot the two pizzas, the 8 rolls of toilet paper, the dog Victor and the bottle of Jack D. Shouldn't be that difficult.



Oh, and find spring. It's all over town. Rays of sunshine at 7 pm. Yay.

What's the strangest thing you've ever carried on your bike?

Blue is the New Red


We've stated recently that red is the new black in Cycle Chic Copenhagen. One day passes by and blue has become the new red. Slightly confused? Don't worry. You're welcome to leave the colour craze up to others and just enjoy the pictures... Who knows, black might be the new blue next week anyways :-)

Sunday Outing

Mobiky Moods
Sunday outing to Dyrehaven - The Deer Park. Flock of deer in the background. Wifealiciousness in the foreground on the Mobiky Genius. It's a wicked ride.

Dyrehaven is a 11 km2 park just north of of Copenhagen. Copenhageners have been coming on Sunday outings here for over 400 years. The world's oldest amusement park, Bakken - founded in 1583, is located at the southern edge, but otherwise the park is long pathways through woodland and meadows.
Mobiky Moods
The Mobiky is perfect for taking on the train. Fold it up and off you go.
CycleSunday
Dyrehaven provides room for every kind of activity.
Intersectsational
Meanwhile, back in the city, Copenhageners continue doing what they do best.

20 April 2008

Leather and Tights





Grace 'n' ease. No grease.

The King's New Square etc

Square
A fragment in time on The King's New Square in Copenhagen.
Couple
Whenever I see couples riding together in Copenhagen, I think of this quote:
"Love is not looking at each other, but looking together in the same direction" Saint Exupery.
The King's New Square
Another simple bicycle moment on the King's New Square.