Ferrara's Fantastic Female Cyclists

The City of Ferrara - Italy's leading bicycle city with 30% modal share for bicycles - is rather extraordinary in many ways. One of the sure signs of a healthy bicycle culture is the so-called "gender split" featuring an equal number of female and male cyclists. In cities like Amsterdam and Copenhagen there are more women on bicycles than men and in Ferrara, the statistics match those two cities - 55% women and 45% men.

While Ferrara has over 20,000 students at the university and the nightlife is suitably lively, it was amazing to see so many "older" bicycle users in the city. Men and women alike. In fact, I've never been anywhere in the world where I've seen so many elderly bicycle users in one spot. Dutch and Danish cities would be hard pressed to match Ferrara on this point.

This has been the case for many, many years but having influential female politicians certainly helps maintain it.

We met with the vice-mayor of the city - at left - and the president of the Province of Ferrara - at right - while in the city. The vice-mayor joked that they don't have a female quota in their politics - but rather a male quota.

Here are some photos of Ferrara's healthy and fabulous bicycle users over "a certain age". Brava!

Impeccable style in traffic.

Red rush with splendid hat.

Still going strong.

Heels and wheels.

Brilliant coat.

Rolling to the market.

Flowers on the basket.

Umbrella City

Ferrara. Again. It's hard to let go of the city. It was raining on the first day and I've never seen so many people using umbrellas whilst cycling. Anywhere in the world, although Japan is a close second.

Loads in the Netherlands, sure, but Ferrara has them beat.

And not just any old umbrella - they are, as a rule, big, splendid umbrellas that you don't often see anymore elsewhere.

Umbrellas and bicycles. A match made in heaven. A century-long long love affair and they're still in love.

Meeting a friend. Having a chat.

The Dapper Gents of Ferrara

We're not going to let the Fantastic Female Cyclists of Ferrara run off with all the Cycle Chic glory. Their male counterparts have it ALL goin' on, too. Here's a tribute to the stylish older gents of the Italian city.

Guest Photo: Ferrara, Italia

P1420260.JPG, originally uploaded by urben.

Ferrara, Italy enjoys one of the highest rates of bike usage in Europe.

31% of the population ride their bikes each day, bucking the trend in the Mediterranen countries where cycling is usually something you watch on the telly during the Giro or the Tour.

Go, Ferrara, go. 'Urben' a Flickr user has a fine set dedicated to Ferrara - Ciudad de las Bicicletas

Banking on Ferrara

Just got home from a visit to Ferrara, Italy's great bicycle city with 30% of it's citizens moving around by bicycle. Like in the previous post, banking is done from the saddle.

Search Party

While walking through Ferrara, Italy, I was snapping photographs of the many bicycle users. I snapped snots of these two.


Moments later I realised they were looking for each other and caught the moment when they made visual, rather than telephonic, contact. And off they went on their bicycles together.

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)

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

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

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

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

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.

BikersRemix at Copenhagen Fashion Week

The first of 50 in the gold bicycle series.

It's not too often we get really worked up about bikes.  After all, its' about YOU on the bike.  But last weekend just outside the Royal Danish Theatre, overlooking Copenhagen's harbor, stood a gorgeous collection of Danish designed bicycles, iconically Scandinavian with their sleek minimalistic designs.  The owners, BikersRemix, have a strong appreciation for the bicycles, the culture, and the design that in part defines Copenhagen.  No wonder we couldn't help ourselves.

The Georg Jensen Bike.

After discovering the newspaper holders in Ferrara, which were blogged about over at Copenhagenize, our love and fascination of them has never disappeared.  Which is why we were so pleased to see this black leather Danish version.