what to wear on a bike: part two (plus a bike basket giveaway!)
I wrote a post recently on what I wear on my bike…how to dress to ride…sans lyrca. I write these blogs to inspire you to ride a bike. My motivations are pure!
Here, a few extra pics and some that you lot sent in (thank you!). Also, our friend Joyce from Cyclestyle has VERY kindly offered to giveaway an oval wicker bike basket (see below). As an aside, Joyce just gave birth four days ago, 10 days late! The criteria will be…hmmmm…someone who’s just embraced bike funesss…a new recruit! Send in a pic via the comments of your new wheels (and a cute outfit) if you can.
I found these pics of Baba – an Australian stylist living in Paris who I interviewed years ago when I was a feature writer at Sunday Magazine. Gala Darling posted them on her blog recently and did a wonderful write up on Baba. A gorgeous read.
Baba uses black leggings creatively. Have black leggings. Will travel (even in f*ck off stillettos in the snow).
Yep, pretty. Looks like a fashion shoot, but is actually real chicks with bikes. Hot!
These pics are from Melbourne site Business Chic …. note the platform wedge shoes.
Our friend Joyce, pic taken by Cheyl.
And this is Business Chic herself – Cheryl (above). Note the strapped-in heels? And the crazy Kermit helmet!
Our friend Saskia from Sydney Cycle Chic took the following during a visit to Bondi…
Good sandles for riding – firm base and straps to keep your foot stable. A jumper suit is a biker’s very good friend!
This is Saskia on her bike. Holding out one’s arms create a good sail on breezy days!
a basket giveaway from CycleStyle!
Write a comment below, and post a pic, and you could win one of these beauties!
My boy just bought us his and her bikes on Tuesday to get around at the weekends inspired by our recent Honeymoon in Bali, when we had 2 bikes to ride around Lombok Island all day……. he got me a pink moungain bike (not quite the cruisre I was imagining) so need to pimp my ride with a basket and bell and maybe even some spokey dokeys (joke)… anyone remember them, courtesy of Kellogs!!
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So does bondi have a ‘no helmet’ policy? Good to see people out on bike but would also be good to see some ‘sensible’ photos Sarah. Not everyone rides around in killer heels or dresses up for a photo shoot.
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February 17th, 2011 at 10:03 am
Agreed! This presents a totally unrealistic segment of bike riders. We don’t all cruise around Bondi getting organic green smoothies. Most of us ride in traffic to an office.
So whilst this is pretty….its also…fluffy. Sigh
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February 17th, 2011 at 10:23 am
I ride to and from work in peak hour traffic and always wear proper protective riding gear. I have never seen any woman riding in the city looking as stylish as in these photos. And I certainly don’t understand anyone who puts vanity before safety..absolutely idiotic.
Maybe there could be follow up photos…chic clothing to wear in hospital
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February 17th, 2011 at 2:25 pm
I thought the point of photo shoots was to look stylish, creative, artistic and inspiring, not realistic. If all art had to be real to life can you imagine how boring the world would be? Bike helmets in fashion shoots are like condoms in porn. Everyone knows you are supposed to wear one but it really just spoils the view…
February 17th, 2011 at 2:55 pm
I rode home from work through the city in a maxi dress and blinged up sparkly sandals with my handbag over my shoulder today, as I do most days. I say yes to dressing up and riding.
I wear a helmet, but think the ‘idiocy’ of riding without one is debatable, I ride slowly and not even on busy roads most of the time, I would sometimes forego my helmet if it wasn’t compulsory.
February 17th, 2011 at 3:01 pm
It’s funny – if it were a car ad showing people driving without seat belts there would be an uproar.
Here, not doing the legal thing is… pretty and inspiring.
It’s sad.
April 28th, 2013 at 10:44 pm
In Fremantle I saw plenty of people riding wearing day to day clothing and many without helmets. I think the police may have a non enforcement policy or low priority on helmet enforcement though I had no bike on hand to test this for myself.
Some women riding dressed nice as ever shows anyone can get on a bike and ride in anything, don’t need a reflective vest and a helmet to ride a bike.
The Fremantle mayor is proposing a helmet exemption and it will be a real boost to the area and it’s retail, shopping and restaurants and atmosphere if it does happen.
March 2nd, 2011 at 2:17 am
I ride to work and to the stores everyday. I wear what I would be wearing otherwise: regular clothes … shirt, tie, jacket. If it’s warm, I drop the jacket in my basket and loosen my tie.
If it’s hot, I do the same thing I do when I walk to work in hot weather: bring a spare undershirt.
It’s just biking.
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February 17th, 2011 at 3:09 pm
I’m quite open about my position on helmets… I don’t regard them as necessarily safe. See my earlier posts.
Also, I believe the more people simply ride, the safer riding becomes. Countless studies show this. A big impediment to riding – for a lot of women – is that they have to change outfits or wear compromised clothing. I say: no! Depending on where you live, of course, you can ride to restaurants, work, the beach…wherever…in what you’d normally wear (within reason). I do. Don’t be hamstrung! Don’t use it as an excuse not to ride.
These pics illustrate this point.
Hope that’s cool.
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February 17th, 2011 at 7:02 pm
In Holland bikes rule the roads. People make way for cyclist no matter what and there are special paths or even mini ‘roads’ for bikes. Wearing a helmet is therefore not compulsory and I feel completely safe without one. Coming from Melbourne, where I used to feel unsafe without a helmet, I see a big difference between the safety for cyclists. It really depends on the environment where you a cycling as to the danger of it…
I believe just do what you feel is best for you!
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June 10th, 2011 at 1:31 pm
When you have had a helmet safe your head on not one but two occasions then you might reconsider. The crushed side of a helmet makes you truly appreciate that it wasn’t your head hitting the gutter at speed and that you can be still here to be able to see it. After 10 years in the retail bike game I have seen more than my fair share of crashed bikes, helmets and people. There is a really is no excuse to not wear one with the technology these days. You can find one that will suit your personality. As they say with cars “buckle up” and survive! I agree with you on one point that the more people ride the safer it becomes. But why not make it just that bit more by protecting your head. You can mend a broken arm not so easy with a head. Great pictures by the way.
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February 18th, 2011 at 2:31 pm
I ride to work in the city each day and always ride in a skirt.
The better you look the more likely drivers are to see you and the safer you are!
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February 20th, 2011 at 1:38 pm
YES YES YES – be noticed – it’s the best way to be safe
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February 21st, 2011 at 1:32 pm
+1 to that
My new partner & I bought bikes together a few months ago, we also bought a baby croozer which attaches to the back of our beach cruisers so my 18 month old daughter could join us. We live on the Gold Coast & riding to parks, the beach or just out to lunch is the best, most relaxing & fun way to spend our weekends. My fave outfit to wear is a strapless shorty jumpsuit & strappy sandals
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Thanks to photos like these, I’ve been a bit camera-happy when taking photos of my beautiful black Electra Amsterdam, Miss Darcy.
I just heard yesterday that I have a new job nearby to where I live, so Miss Darcy and I will be going to work together every day! I am doubly sure that a beautiful basket would be so very useful for those work commutes!
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these baskets are too too cute – would totally get me sailing out on a bike!
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I don’t think I could bust out Baba’s look in Bondi (although some would be brave enough I’m sure). But I’m still inspired to be a totally fashionable bikey babe! Thanks Sarah.
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I miss my bike….
I used to ride my baby to work everyday when I was living in London…I LOVED my morning ritual in the crisp air…I even rode in the snow (slowly). Now I’m back in Brisbane and I sadly can’t ride to work anymore…these pictures brought back so many lovely memories – THANK YOU!
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Hi Sarah!
I ride a bright yellow ’73 Schwinn Breeze 3-speed. I love everything about your blog, especially the bicycle posts! You inspire me to wear skirts and heels while I ride.
Best wishes!
-sara
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February 17th, 2011 at 3:10 pm
I know the Schwinn. A gorgeous ladies bike!
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I don’t know how to post pictures on this post can anyone help me? I spent months and months looking for the perfect bike and 2 months ago I finally found her! She is a mambo beach cruiser and has a vanilla frame with pink handles and seat! I love her to death! The first outing I took her on was this years symphony in the domain where I wore a 1960s dress with flat black boots. I wear a little pair of bike shorts under dresses and skirts when I’m riding in case the wind manages to blow them up and then I whip them off and shove them in my handbag when I’ve reached my destination! I just bought a pair of small heeled lace up shoes which are perfect for riding in and can be dressed up or down to match any outfit! All I need now is a sweet basket so I can put my lab coat and text book in so I can ride to Uni! Loved the photos Sarah, very inspirational!
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This is fantastic! I’m finally moving within 10km of my office (down from a 1 hour train ride!) and very excitedly looking for an affordable, comfy, not-too-exxy bike to commute to work with. I can’t wait to get a burst of exercise in my commuting time and feel less worried about what to wear now.
I love the gorgeous basket – my top shopping criteria for my bike is cute bike with a cute basket!
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Beautiful bikes but I too was sad to see Joyce was the only helmet wearer. She deserves full marks for her wonderful safari version.
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February 21st, 2011 at 1:37 pm
Yeah… except that it is illegal to wear a Yakkay helmet in Australia.
Don’t be so quick to judge.
http://helmetfreedom.org/
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February 24th, 2011 at 11:35 am
Out of interest, why is that? I was hoping to buy one when I leave London for Australia!
Cos I don’t always wear one here; the wind in my hair, it’s brilliant!
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February 24th, 2011 at 11:56 am
It is because of the mandatory helmet law which states a helmet must comply with the Australian Standard (AS/NZ2063). You can read up on this standard (if you’re interested) at your local State Library. It’s a bit of a joke. The cynic in me says the local standard is about SAI Global (aka Standards Australia) making money and it limiting imports…
The Yakkay Helmets comply with the EN1078 standard (European) which is very similar to the Australian one. I know the company that was planning to import them into Australia and they would have had to pay SAI Global $20,000 to ‘test’ them to the Australian Standard and receive a sticker – they couldn’t afford that. That’s why you can’t buy them here.
RE: Issues with rotational acceleration being worsened by the cover.
I’m not so sure. The cover slides over the helmet (like scalp over your skull) and it comes off easily if it catches something. But since they don’t test for rotational forces anyway, we’ll never know… The underlying helmet is thick-shelled and smooth which is better than thin-shelled and ventilated. The downside is they are hot in summer…
…I know, because I have one with a few different covers (they are quite nice), but I only wear them when forced to by the police
February 24th, 2011 at 3:02 pm
I’ve often looked for these helmet hats on ebay etc looking for one a bit cheaper if only to look as though I at least thought I was legal when pulled over by the velocops while maintaining having a hat with a brim.
But I want to say to Paul “Hear hear” to your cynicism. A friend of mine who lives nearby here was working in an Australian helmet factory a few years ago as a toolmaker and used to watch the entire testing proceedure by the SAI and is himself totally cynical that it has anything to do with anything except keeping other manufacturers helmets out of the country.
February 24th, 2011 at 4:31 pm
I have some spare Yakkay helmets (new) in medium or large. You can have one for $50 if you like – just email me and I’ll send them to you!
I don’t have many covers but you can find them on the web easily enough.
Cheers,
Thanks Sarah for featuring my photos – please note that ALL Business Chic cycle-chic ladies wear helmets. I don’t photograph anyone who rides without one because there are way enough helmet-less photos out there! The lady with the bright lippy and wedge heels was wearing a helmet when I stopped her – she keeps a little vintage hat handy to hide her helmet hair which I thought was rather clever.
I’ve done a series of Joyce’s cyclechic for CycleStyle – do look up the photos on her blog replete with Yakkay helmet interchangeable hats!
And btw my own green swarovski crusted helmet is from the ridiculously talented Kathryn Baulch of House of Baulch. Xx Cheryl
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February 17th, 2011 at 3:11 pm
Baulch is an old mate of mine from when I lived in Melbourne!
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February 20th, 2011 at 1:50 pm
Can I suggest that anyone choosing to wear a helmet for safety reasons does their research well before purchasing one.
There are many options out there on the market and while they all may meet their respective country’s safety requirements it would pay to do thorough research. I know I would if I believed a helmet could save my life.
This is one article but there are many more – google is your friend.
http://www.copenhagenize.com/2010/05/yakkay-viva-helmets.html
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I’m loving these posts. I subscribed to my city’s cycle program the other day and thought of your post when I went for my first ride. Was very happy that I took your advice and wore a long sleeveless top with shorts! Perfecto!
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Hi Sarah,
I’m new to your blog but am really loving it! I recently purchased a bike from Tokyo Bike… love it too. She’s my new favourite toy, although i did have a little accident the other day near Bourke and Cleveland, she’s fine but i came out with a few scratches and bruises. I have been reassured from fellow bike riders that this will happen, and as the saying goes ‘get back in the saddle!’
Love the pics! I mus add Cyclestyle to my favourites.
Thanks Sarah!
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I LOVE THESE PICs. it’s sad that this beautiful post became an open debate about wearing or not wearing a helmet. I hate the legalities of such a free activity such as cycling and I appreciate that accidents happen and that these laws are to protect cyclists but sometimes I wish we could just be a little more spontaneous. Is that too much to ask?
Thanks Sarah for posting, as ever. I am inspired!
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February 17th, 2011 at 3:53 pm
I agree with you Natsu!
Great post Sarah!
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I’m a girl bike rider & whole-heartedly agree that you can wear your normal clothes and ride. It’s so liberating to be on a bike! You are able to get yourself from A-B, on your own, using your own body’s power. Nothing more powerful!
I have a vanmoof & am a huge advocate – they’re such a good bike for commuting – the tyres are nice and thick, so I don’t get scared when I have to get up gutters.
Plus they’re totally minamilist and super-stylish – with solar powered lights.
Being on a bike is good for the planet and good for you. I do feel a bit smug sometimes.
Biggest plus – boys go crazy for it! I feel like it is, single-handedly, the easiest way to get a boys attention
I too wear a helmet sometimes, sometimes not. I feel like it should be my choice.
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I don’t look like these glamour girls but I wear normal clothes commuting and evening wear when I’m out at night-I still wear my cleated shoes though and swap when I get there;) Not typical cycle chic! I agree I’m a bit sick of just seeing images of women on step through bikes with baskets but I disagree that bike riding needs heaps of ‘safety’ gear. I wear Lycra when riding my road bike for fitness but that’s no different to wearing leggings at the gym-it’s practical!
Most important is to have lights at night and someone to show you the safe routes and how to ride in traffic. City of Sydney run such courses and there is plenty of help from other riders on the Internet and around town.
Get out there girls!
Remember millions of women around the world cycle as a normal everyday thing.
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[...] you have to do is pop over to her site and write a comment. That shouldn’t be too hard Good [...]
I’m in Brisbane and have tried to ride to work on my snazzy fold up Brompton ( http://twitpic.com/1xd5bv ) which fits under my desk, but I haven’t figured out the clothes thing. I can keep my top cool, but am I the only one who ends up with a sweaty bum?
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February 18th, 2011 at 12:28 pm
You own a Brompton! I’ve never seen a chick ride one. I just love saying the word….Brompton!
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Thought I should also mention a new safe bike route map from BikeSydney for people in bikes in Sydney http://www.ridethecity.com/sydney#
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Would love to win this! I ride a Sedona and love it. Want to make it more commuter focused and this would be perfect!
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I only just got my first ‘adult’ bike recently, now being 26, and 2.5months in am loving it. Shortly after I got my beautiful cruiser a friend told me about cyclestyle which I am loving, and through that I found this blog. My passion for cycling has grown completely in the past months, from not have cycled in years to now riding to work everyday, buying a pretty nutcase helmet, matching po campo bag, and even getting some girlfriends together and we have decided to do the great vic bike ride in November in style. Keep the tips coming, I am new to this way of life and need all the help I can get!
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p.s this is my beauty…
http://www.giant-bicycles.com/en-au/bikes/model/suede/7519/44422/
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Skirts and sandals are the way to go in the summer. And they’re making more and more great styles of clothes in merino wool. For me, it’s more about finding great looks in breathable, workable fabrics.
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Today I bought myself another bike – a Boardwalk. I already have a hybrid bike that I ride to/from work. With that bike I wear the lycra gear and shower at work. My intention is to look far more stylish on my Boardwalk. I appreciate Sarah’s suggestions of what to wear whilst cycling but (a) am a good 10 years older therefore wouldn’t dream of wearing shorts or shorter skirts and (b) don’t have legs up to my neck and therefore look fairly sh*t in a pair of leggings or skinny jeans.
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As always Sarah is putting it out there bravely and as usual, there is a mixed bag of responses.
There’s a lot to answer here but you know what, the most important thing is getting more people on bicycles, whatever you ride and however you choose to ride!!
Simple as that.
No-one has the right to dictate to responsible grown women (or men for that matter) what you should be wearing, on a bicycle or off it and yes I include helmets in that decision making process.
I think the point here is freedom of choice. Adults making their own informed valued judgement on their own clothing and safety.
Helmets aside (because that’s a WHOLE other complex issue), there is no reason to wear specific “cycling” clothes if you are using your bike as transport/pleasure. If you’re riding for sport/excercise, sure, go ahead, lycra yourself up the wazoo but for getting from A to B there really is no need.
I know plenty of people who commute quite comfortably (myself too sometimes) in normal clothes, and by normal I mean what one would be wearing if commuting by any other means of transport and no we don’t all live in fancy inner city suburbs. Do you wear driving clothes or walking clothes or even bus clothes? Silly isn’t it.
You only have to look at any of the countless bicycle blogs from around the world (start with http://www.copenhagencyclechic.com) to know that you are not alone! We are out there, riding freely in skirts and heels or jeans and boots or bikinis, whatever the hell we choose because WE CAN!
I personally love being reduced to a green organic smoothie drinking Bondi stereotype because it’s amusing. I am many things thank you and if I choose to ride in heels and frivolous frocks I will BECAUSE IT’S MY CHOICE.
So, whoever you are, whatever you ride, do so in whatever way you like. And if you’re thinking of buying a bicycle, DO IT, you will feel like a teenager again – trust me.
Embrace it, enjoy it and OWN IT ☺
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Let’s throw in the towel & not wear seatbelts either! Sounds stupid. As stupid as not wearing a helmet. I think you’ll find accidents are spontaneous & a head injury is for life. I think you might reconsider your stance on the helmet wearing conundrum if you’ve ever seen a skull hit pavement. It’s pretty ugly. Not stylish in the least.
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Let’s keep on track people – this post is about the fun one can have with dressing up while riding casually – it’s not the tour de france and it’s not a helmet debate.
It’s a shame that we can’t just share our thoughts on what we like to wear without being dismissed as fluffy and frivolous. I’m fascinated by the choices people make, the more examples of women riding and empowering themselves the better don’t you think??
More power to Sarah and the likes of Catherine Baba for being unapologetically themselves.
There are plenty of serious forums for helmet debate – why not join one of those and discuss with well informed cyclists?
It’s a debate that needs to happen but this is probably not the place.
More silly women on bicycles over at http://www.sydneycyclechic.org if you care to stop by – email me your silliest most inappropriately attired ride outfits and I’ll blog you!
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February 21st, 2011 at 6:30 pm
I wouldn’t have bought my bicycle a month ago if it wasn’t for Saskia at SCC who talked to me about riding, gave her advice on the type of bike I might want and showed me I could live the lifestyle I wanted to with a bicycle that worked for me. For me, that was being able to ride in whatever I wanted to with the right bike to match MY lifestyle choice.
That is just it… It is an entirely personal choice what I choose to ride and how I choose to ride it. As someone who never takes public transport and who used to drive or cab it everywhere, isn’t it better that I am at least riding where possible, because I enjoy the experience and love the bike I have chosen.
Who cares what I wear or what I ride… at least I am riding.
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February 21st, 2011 at 9:10 pm
The idea that one needs to be decked out in cycle kit to ride a bike is one of the greatest cycling myths in Australia. If you are riding manageable distances at a casual speed then it’s perfectly fine to wear your own clothes. The fundamental difference between cycling in Europe and cycling in Australia is that the former has a much greater percentage of everyday people – male and female, young and old – using a bike to get around. Here we have a homogeneous, conformist and discriminatory culture that only suits the “establishment.” Break these unwritten rules and the hordes will descend upon you, like what has happened here on this perfectly innocuous blog entry. I hope that anyone reading this blog who is thinking of taking up cycling does it in a way that is comfortable and safe for themselves, and not for the “experts” who think they know better.
Remember people: bike shops are for bikes; clothes shops are clothes. Keep up the great work Sarah.
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February 21st, 2011 at 10:15 pm
and you look lovely on your bike too miss amanda – glad we lured you to the other side!
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I lurve this post! Bikes certainly can be chic, and there’s no reason you have to dress like you’re mowing the lawn when you ride them. I’m about to buy a new (old) bike, and a basket would top it off nicely! Actually, it’ll be the first bike I’ve bought since…erm…well, since the last one I owned (which had streamers and a bendy orange flag on a pole – y’know the ones, so mum and dad could still see you if you were riding in a corn field!) went to bike heaven.
Heaven help me
BTW, so glad someone posted up the http://www.copenhagencyclechic.com link. What a great website!
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Here is some ‘inappropriately attired cycling gear”…
http://i786.photobucket.com/albums/yy146/featherbrigade/DSC04086.jpg
Our only rules? You must be able to ride in it safely. Safety can still have style!
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I don’t do lycra
Aside from which I don’t have the body, I also don’t have the bike. The reason I have a bike like this is that I can wear normal clothes; the chainguard protects my trousers should I be wearing them. The coatguard stops me doing an Isadora Duncan if I wear a flowing scarf.
Apologies this photo is quite contrasty with sunshine and shadow:
http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_z__rFUxPpWc/S-dgwjLgP8I/AAAAAAAAAUs/zSSeO-QYfEw/s400/olympicpkmay101.jpg
That’s me at Olympic Park in Sydney with my trusty Pashley Princess Sovereign, Penelope. Apologies for the ugly helmet too; I have since upgraded to a Nutcase which does the safety job but looks a lot nicer. I won’t grumble about compulsory helmets here other than to say I hate them.
The whole lycra scene (along with helmets) has probably put a lot of women off riding bikes. For several years if you weren’t wearing lycra when you were riding, well heck, you were an object of ridicule or pity by the lycra crowd. Thank heavens for a renewed interest in ‘slow’ living and the increasing use of bikes for transport, not just sport. It’s acceptable now to ride a bike in normal clothes, even glamourous clothes. There is, somewhere on the net, a piccy of Vivienne Westwood turning up to a red carpet event dressed to the nines and riding her Pashley. Life should be like that.
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February 21st, 2011 at 5:49 pm
When I was in the north of Sweden I saw girls dressed in full evening gowns, bouffed up hair and serious high heels riding ahead of me into town(Umea).
I was too stunned to take photos.
Watching telly last night was a programme about something in the ’50s in Australia and there was a bit of footage of a whole group of well dressed women riding to work.
If you want to see this nowadays it looks like you have to see it in Europe. You cant have a hairdo and helmet.
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How parochial are all these comments about how the people in the photos should be wearing helmets!
In most of the rest of the world, like where the Parisian photos come from, there are no laws requiring helmets, and the roads are safer because:
- there are more cyclists, and cyclist numbers correlate to cyclist safety
- motorised road users are not prioritised over non-motorised road users to the extent that they are here (see, for example, the Journal of Australasian Road Safety, Aug 2010)
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February 21st, 2011 at 1:45 pm
Parochial indeed! We really look like fools with our strange disconnect between perceived and actual risk (in all things I might add, not just the H-word).
On that theme, perhaps we need to start an Australian branch of the Church of Situp Cycling?
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Oh what funtimes! – had lovely long chat with 2 policemen today wondering how they could help with my freedom of choice quest. Naturally I asked them to book me, & one helfpfully suggested they could summons me straight away but I thought they might get into trouble if they did that so I happily said that the ticket would be just tickety-boo – anyway they are going to get back to me as soon as they’ve taken some legal advice.
I feel a little like Alice through the looking glass – aren’t I the one supposed to be taking some legal advice and wondering what to do next?
…and re the seatbelt analogy, which is always a goodie and used so frequently, – why don’t we insist upon them for ‘our babies’ (our most precious of precious) on school buses?
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I ride these days without a helmet so I can keep the sun off my nose but the other evening I rode into the local township with no hat either after the sun was less intense.
Cars along that road particularly passing from behind were distinctly slower.
I knew of this from research and experience but not like it was this time.
I think some of them were worried or something.
Its nice of them.
It probably explains why between ’96 and 2k just one Australian male cyclist died in my age group (early 50s) without a helmet.
Five died with their helmets on.
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February 21st, 2011 at 5:32 pm
I too notice that motorists are more careful around me and less aggressive when I’m on my slow upright bike, sans helmet. They see the person, instead of the ‘safety equipment’ which ironically makes me safer because let’s face it, the most important thing is to NOT fall off in the first place – helmets don’t prevent falls.
I’ve not fallen off my bike for 27 years and the risk of falling off for anyone is so ridiculously low it is frankly not worth worrying about.
Life is risky, we must accept this (like we used to when we had some sense…). The women on bikes look fabulous and all I see are people on bicycles; not a ‘cyclist’ in sight…
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February 21st, 2011 at 5:40 pm
I’ve noticed the same thing! I wear a helmet most of the time because I can’t afford a fine or the time to challenge it in court but when I don’t drivers give me more room on the road and slow down when passing. It always amazes me because my body is just a vulnerable regardless of my helmeted head. I’ve also seen the research proving this in the UK but it’s something else when you experience it yourself. The helmet really does provide a false sense of safety for both riders and drivers. As others have stated safety comes with increased cyclist numbers, awareness and infrastructure.
I’ve also noticed the more ‘normally’ I dress the more room and respect I am given by drivers. Skirt + heels = Safe and pleasant riding!
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Does anyone have an opinion about bicycling on the footpath? I think this may be illegal… but for someone whose primary concern is motorists acting like idiots and is under no delusion about helmets preventing this, I would love to know what you think.
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February 21st, 2011 at 6:17 pm
It is legal in Queensland but not in NSW or Victoria unless otherwise signed as far as I’m aware.
It is legal to ride on the footpaths & bikepaths in the Northern Territory – without a helmet.
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February 21st, 2011 at 8:10 pm
I think it is OK to ride on the footpath when it is a busy road and an empty footpath, but legally you have to be under the age of 12 in NSW to do this I believe. There is also the risk when you are crossing roads at intersections and drivers are not expecting a cyclist to be crossing the road.
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February 21st, 2011 at 10:11 pm
Yep Mia unless it’s a “shared path” or you are riding with a child under 11 (I think?) it is illegal in NSW.
But if you are respectful of other footpath users and riding slowly I doubt anyone will cause a fuss and it would be a harsh cop that would insist you get on the road if you are concerned for your safety.
I ride on footpaths regularly and actually the only comments I get are from people stopping me to chat about my bike!
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February 25th, 2011 at 10:35 pm
I just noticed these comments and had to chime in! One thing that always irks me about our cycle laws is the fact that children over the age of 12 must ride on the road with traffic! How absurd! You must be 16 to drive a car in traffic, and only then with an accompanying adult, yet a 13 riding solo has to take on traffic on his or her own? Without the protection of a big metal box!
Just think how many more of our high school students could ride to school instead of being dropped in 4 wheel drives if they were permitted to ride on the footpath! Oh and as a teacher I would LOVE it if my students could burn off some of that excess energy outside of the classroom
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March 1st, 2011 at 3:41 pm
To answer Mia – It is indeed illegal to ride on a normal footpath in NSW unless you are 12 years of age or younger or accompanying a person 12 or under. This of course doesn’t apply to shared paths, signposted as such. Dasher makes some very good points in relation to this I think.
Helmets are another topic all together and even though I always wear one, I couldn’t give a toss if others do or not, excepting that I would say that those who don’t are easily used as ammunition by the anti-cycling haters, Alan Jones, the Telegraph et al.
And as for “cycle chic”, well I’ve never been one to be a fashion plate but if that’s your thing, go right ahead. I ride in lycra and a jersey to train and commute but if I’m going to the shops I wear whatever I have on at the time. Sites like this one are great for encouraging new riders and I applaud that, but you must also be careful as you may be construed as, possibly unconsciously, stigmatising those who choose to ride in lycra, whether you explicitly say so or not.
On that point, I will say this: I don’t think I could realistically ride my 18 k’s to work in summer in a suit and arrive in any condition to see customers or indeed be in the workplace at all. Sydney is not Copenhagen – it’s hilly, it’s hot, it’s humid.
As for on road safety, please, take some time to check out the Amy Gillett Foundation website and think about a donation – they do great work on behalf of all cyclists.
Lets just all celebrate and embrace cycling no matter what type you do. Personally, I don’t care what you wear or ride.
Cheers – Stuart
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March 1st, 2011 at 10:10 pm
Stuart, thanks again for your factoids! Always helpful. And fare, considered point about lycra and judgment and riding 18kms!
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Sarah,
Please keep up the bike related blog entries. Don’t let the “Helmet Police” commenters put you off. There are a lot of scared little people out there who have bought into the “culture of fear” mentality and see danger everywhere. Unfortunately they don’t just keep their thoughts to themselves.
In the past 6 years I have lost both parents and my sister to sedentary-lifestyle related illnesses. I would much rather face the very low risk of a bike accident than the slow and certain death that comes with an inactive lifestyle. Life is too short to spend it on the couch people! Ride a bike and remember what it felt like to be a kid.
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February 21st, 2011 at 6:18 pm
Hear, hear!
When I’m on my bike I feel like I’m flying like a bird, no matter what speed I’m going! More people on bikes please!!
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February 21st, 2011 at 7:58 pm
I agree! I love the bike posts on your blog Sarah, keep them coming.
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[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Jools, Sydney Cycle Chic. Sydney Cycle Chic said: need some light reading? the comments will amuse you I think
YAWN @_Cycle_Chic @amsterdamized http://j.mp/gMBM9P http://j.mp/i6O9F8 [...]
I’m not sure if the basket giveaway is still going — but I have been coveting a cycle-style wicker basket for months! Fingers crossed!
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I was surfing the net looking up information about hashimoto’s (yep, me too) and I have for the last half hour been lost in your site and thoroughly enjoyed it. Anyway, does anyone know if there is a groovy funky tricycle out there to buy? I cannot and never have been able to ride a bike but a trike means I could ride to work, pop my dog or my groceries in and of course bonus lifestyle exercise. Or do I buy a fixie in mad colours and put adult trainer wheels on it? Please excuse me for using your site (I hope its not too rude) for my ramblings but I have surfed and surfed about this and so wanna join the groovy bike rider chicks without breaking my neck – PS: once again, great site, deadly photos, lovely layout.
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March 4th, 2011 at 7:38 am
Why not try a recumbent trike?
http://www.greenspeed.com.au/
You should test ride one – they’re great.
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March 4th, 2011 at 9:37 am
DeidreAnne, If you want an upright the Gomier is supposed to be the best one. You can find trikes on Ebay but you might find they need to be assembled. They have a basket is as I remember with alot of room for things. I saw quite a few being ridden in the north of Sweden when I was there.
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I have a bright red Gomier tricycle which my husband bought me for our 40th wedding anniversary, I never rode a bike as a child. Ruby has a wide seat, a big basket at the back, three gears, I just love cycling and am happily making up for all those lost years….Scottie
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What better way to change transport behaviour than through fashion trends? Seriously, I’m loving this cycle fashion so much I’m getting over my bicycle phobia! And I’m getting healthier and looking better too!
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I all the time used to read paragraph in news papers but now as I am a user of net so from now I am using net for articles or reviews, thanks to web.
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hi
l would love to win one of these fabulous front end baskets for my bike.
It seems so easy to have my smaller items just where l can see them when l am riding..
l have started to ride again, after such a long time with raising little ones into schooling and have the time for myself to just go for a lovely ride on my bike….l just love it…..it makes me feel young again……this basket would be ideal for my bike
thx for listening
GT
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