Classic bicycling is the new Crocs

With local petrol prices set to skyrocket by another R1 per liter on Wednesday, vehicle usage and the associated costs are now no longer a joke - and viable alternatives are seriously desperately needed.

The general perception surrounding the idea of cycling to work - or just about anywhere for that matter - usually involves lots of sweaty spandex, very expensive metal alloy-framed spacecraft looking machines and fist fights with taxi drivers.

But it seems that the re-emergence of the trend of 'cycle chic' in Western countries is really making a strong comeback.
A classic bicycle with bell, basket and normal clothing is very fashionable right now.
Accessory suppliers are popping up all over the place selling bags, baskets, stylish helmets and old-school bikes.

The opportunity to open a lifestyle lifecycle-type shop is huge in student towns like Stellenbosch and Grahamstown.
Maybe what's also needed is that city centres like the Cape Town CBD also need to make bicycle lockup areas more accessible and widespread so that the fashion catches on here too.
One to watch closely.

Check out: The Satorialist
Woman embracing cycle chic - PSFK
London cycle chic
Cyclechic.co.uk

Comments

[Iaan van Niekerk]

Sure is such a time - See www.jonnyloco.co.za for pretty sweet lifestyle bicycling - from Stellenbosch ;-)

[Faranaaz]

Well, I just spent three months in Cambridge and I can tell you, that is one town where a bicycle is indispensable. I've seen university professors, hot guys and girls, and mums with tots all cycling around the town. There are bicycle shops galore selling all sorts of accessories and the most coveted bikes were the retro ones they call "City Bikes" (like in your picture), not the cheesy looking mountain bikes or thin-wheeled Tour de France types. In fact, I saw very few of that last type in my time there.

If you don't have too far to cycle or too much uphill, bicycles are the perfect form of transportation. The only thing that may be a problem in South Africa is driver attitude. In Cambridge, the undisputed rule of the road was that cyclists *always* give way to pedestrians and motorists *always* give way to cyclists. I'm not sure if that would work here with our manic, reckless, "the road belongs to me" type drivers.