I have always loved bicycling. Being anxiety-prone, there is nothing quite like a spin around the city or a leisurely ride down tree-lined streets to put me at ease. Add in that biking is economical, environmentally-friendly, and sometimes faster than driving in the city, and I’m sold. (Plus, city cyclists seem to be much more aware of aesthetics—in terms of their bikes, their dress, and their cargo-carrying—a feast for the eyes!)
A couple of years back, I started a bicycle style blog called cute girls ride bicycles—sadly, it fell off after a few posts due to a too-ambitious plan to photograph cute girls and their bikes. Getting the material was too hard, and getting a steady stream of bike style photos seemed impossible. That said, I’ve been keeping track of bicycle style tips all along, and since I’m a bike commuter, some of them are super practical for you lovely ladies who already own bikes, or may be in the market for bikes…summer bicycling is the best!
Top: Silk leopard blouse, Anthropologie; Black pants: Forever 21; Shoes: Corso Como Wrap Heels; Bike: 2011 Bianchi Cortina
Without further ado, here are some of my tips! Happy cycling!
Invest in 1-2 bikes that fit your needs.
- For my daily commuting (approx. 5 miles round-trip), I have a vintage, steel frame Raleigh 3-speed. It’s a workhorse of a bike, practically indestructible, and is certainly NOT thief bait! Although it’s not a tall frame, I have the seatpost at full extension, and it mostly works with minimal leg-to-front-wheel bumping (if you can handle being up high, get a tall frame bike!). For my recreational use, I have a snappy large (tall) frame Bianchi Cortina hybrid (road-comfort) bike. It is an aluminum 8-speed with wider tires, so I can tackle varied road surfaces and hills in comfort (and style, I hope!). For tall ladies, check out both men’s and women’s tall/large frame bikes new and old by Raleigh, Bianchi, Giant, Zinn, Felt and Trek. And if you can, get into a bike shop and try a variety of models for fit, as no one tall frame will fit every tall woman!
Invest in a good helmet.
- I’m only helmet-less in this picture for purposes of the photoshoot. As much as helmet-head is not terribly fashionable, you need to protect that noggin. Don’t let all the model-like city sylphs with no helmets persuade you otherwise! Bern makes a variety of fashionable, affordable options.
Kryptonite makes the best bike locks.
- The title says it all! Lock that beautiful bike up—especially if you’re in an urban area!
Pants vs. Skirts: The verdict…
- If you’re a stylish bicycling lady, you may not want to don the standard lycra-spandex shorts and jersey. Besides, unless you’re racing or cycling a long distance, you don’t need the expensive cycling gear! Wear whatever makes you feel comfy on a bike, and has some breathability—In the summer and fall, I particularly recommend close-fitting black ankle pants (I wear these tall Banana Republic work pants quite frequently when commuting) or crops, as there’s little danger of your pants getting caught in the chain. You can also wear black leggings and/or skinny jeans in the fall months, but make sure they have a higher-than-1% spandex content so as to allow for movement.
- Although slim-cut pants are the best bet in terms of modesty, I frequently wear skirts and dresses while cycling—especially in the summer, as Boston gets hot! You can get away with wearing fuller (not pencil) skirts and dresses without shorts underneath if your skirt/dress is constructed in a weighty, stiff fabric like jersey or cotton sateen and/or lined. Knee-length skirts and dresses fall best when bicycling, and offer great coverage. If you’re going with a loose cotton skirt or a full, unlined linen skirt, slip on a bike short underneath—I particularly like Athleta’s spin short as it is moisture-wicking, slimming, and can be worn under skirts and dresses OR solo.
Biking in Heels: It’s possible!
- I would generally dissuade ladies from biking in heels for long distances. It’s too easy to lose grip on your pedals, or get caught up on your bike. That said, if you can’t give up the idea of getting to wear some sort of a heel (like me!), then low wedges or chunky heels are best—especially if they have a rubber bottom for grip. I’ve also had fairly decent luck biking in the gorgeous Miz Mooz Renee clogs that my boyfriend got me. If you want to wear heels while biking, think ‘stability’. Looking great is pointless if you can’t operate your wheels!
Thank you! Living in København I am a huge fan of bikes. Have you ever checked out http://www.copenhagencyclechic.com ?
Slightly more women than men ride here and depending how you count about half of trips are on a bicycle these days. We have excellent bicycle infrastructure including places to park, separated bike paths and bike safe intersections. It is very common to see mothers with a couple of little ones in a big box on the front of what is a tricycle with two wheels in front. In face many families have a bike devoted for shopping, cargo and hauling the kids.
I have two bikes. One is a big black Batavus that I bought used for very little. Very little maintenance and the city is flat enough that its single speed is fine. I do change to snow tires in the winter:-) It is easy to get a size big enough – at least for me. My fun bike is a Sölgreni with a bespoke frame that was made to my dimensions. It is a single speed “fixie” meaning you don’t coast on it. Very impractical and completely fun. She is the most expensive thing I have ever owned and maybe my favorite.
Most of the bike shops have women working in them and they have to be women friendly or they would be out of business. Very few people ride bikes for just sport. They are transportation and very serious transportation at that. I don’t own a car and am 27 now – I’ve never had to drive.
People dress normally when they ride. I sometimes ride with skirts, but usually with jeans. But I do wear heels sometimes, although you make exactly the right points.
Here are some videos of cycling here … you might like the city of cyclists
http://vimeo.com/channels/copenhagenize
and since it is probably hot where you are, here is what the winter is like for cyclists
http://vimeo.com/8597651
A great topic! Thank you:-)
ps – I always tell people Danish women have the best butts and legs in the world
Jheri,
If you are any indication, Danish women are some of the most beautiful (and cycling-sculpted) women worldwide!
It doesn’t surprise me at all that you ride too, being the Renaissance woman that you are! I love that Copenhagen has such a bike-friendly culture…and I have checked out CCC….it’s a favorite. European cities really put the U.S. in the dust literally and figuratively when it comes to excellent urban design. American cities are filled with large streets for optimal (and higher speed) auto driving, and few have tolerable bike paths that traverse/circumnavigate them. West coast cities are far more bike-friendly, but still—we are nowhere near bike-friendly country-wide, and sadly, there aren’t many safe options for year-round commuting. I have made it to 27 and living in the suburbs for two years carless…and am finally caving, after the realization that biking around here is neither particularly safe nor easy.
That said, long live biking! I will continue to bike commute on most days, and switch to the car for particularly bad weather days and the winter. I admire your hardy perseverence…again, you’re proof of the “gorgeous girls riding bikes” phenomenon (that I’m sure originated in Copenhagen)!
We have it great over here. I lived in Canada growing up and cycling was only beginning when I was in Toronto 8 years ago. Then I was in NYC in the US for a few years and it was terrifying to think of biking unless you were a bike messenger, but it is starting to take hold now. I think it is much safer over here. Not only are there great paths, but most motorists are also cyclists and have an awareness. And in the core city and suburban areas the speed limit is very slow – usually about 20 km per hour.
Anne – those are beautiful bikes! Most of the bikes here are very utilitarian although you do see some nice ones. There are almost no racing or mountain bikes and no one wears lycra:-) Here is what my bike main bike looks like. The models rarely change and mine is all black.
http://www.batavus.dk/kollektion/kollektion/trend/Flying-D/Flying-D.html
It is the men’s version to get the height and I have several carriers on it to carry most everything. Once you get it going it is heavy enough that it just flies over everything:-)
My friend Colleen was recognized by Trek in the US for her work getting kids interested in biking and gardening. She is very tall and they made a special version of one of their “green” desings for her in recognition. This model does come with a frame up to 25 inches and that will fit a tall person. Her’s is even taller than that, but she is mostly leg.
http://www.6footsix.com/my_weblog/2010/02/trek-is-here.html
I love my bike. It was incredibly hard to find a ladies’ vintage style bike that fit my height! What make is your bike?
Hi Anne,
It is a regular women’s bike with the original seat, so I just jacked the seatpost and ride up really high! 
My new bike is a Bianchi men’s frame, and the fit is heavenly…I’m up much higher, but maneuverability is drastically better. What about yours? I love that so many of my gorgeous designer friends and readers ride bikes! 
My vintage commuting bike is a Raleigh…unsure of the model, as it has been custom painted!
Yes, love a men’s bike. I ride a lovely new Electra Ticino http://www.bikerumor.com/2009/09/09/2010-electra-ticino-classic-city-and-touring-bicycles/ — mine is the powder blue 8 speed. I love it but I could do with a more gutsy bike in Melbourne, for the not so summery days or to carry groceries home!
Love a good Raleigh bike.
Beautiful pic petal! You’ve inspired me to get biking again! xxx
What are you talking about, “Don’t look at my blog”? This is awesome, lady!
You are so lovely! I don’t know what you were talking about last night when you said you don’t have a model’s looks..I think you have such classic face! (brigitte bardot if she was graced with your height)
SOOOO nice to meet you.
Great post! I’ve been riding a cruiser for two years now and I love it. Great tips for riding in the right outfit. And yes you can bike in heels!!
Great post, great photo. Really a good idea to offer so many tips and tricks!
So cute!! Very Sartorialist-ready.
Great to meet you last night, and hope the Lechmere train came eventually
Would love to run into you again!!
Cheers,
Renata
scorpiondisco.com