The Cycle Chic Manifesto

Look out fellow lycrarians™.  The Cycle Chic crowd has a manifesto – so you know they’re up to something.

First they start toddling around town on vintage bicycles.

Then they bring back leather handle bar wrappings – for shame!

But a manifesto!  Nothing says “crazy radical agenda” like a manifesto.

Let’s examine this manifesto in more detail, shall we?

I choose to cycle chic and, at every opportunity, I will choose Style over Speed.
Now just a darn minute there.  Speed is style, right??

I embrace my responsibility to contribute visually to a more aesthetically pleasing urban landscape.
It’s like I always say – “Bicycle seats make butts look better.”  Take that however you’d like.

I am aware that my mere prescence in said urban landscape will inspire others without me being labelled as a ‘bicycle activist’.
Of course you’re an activist – you have a manifesto!

I will ride with grace, elegance and dignity.
Hmmm.  I wonder what that looks like…

I will choose a bicycle that reflects my personality and style.
No problem there.  I’m thinking “Expensive and Italian” right now.

I will, however, regard my bicycle as transport and as a mere supplement to my own personal style. Allowing my bike to upstage me is unacceptable.
Hmmmmm…..

I will endeavour to ensure that the total value of my clothes always exceeds that of my bicycle.
Wow.  I’ve gotta find some more expensive kits.

I will accessorize in accordance with the standards of a bicycle culture and acquire, where possible, a chain guard, kickstand, skirt guard, fenders, bell and basket.
Ewwwwww!

I will respect the traffic laws.
No comment.

I will refrain from wearing and owning any form of ‘cycle wear’. The only exception being a bicycle helmet – if I choose to exercise my freedom of personal choice and wear one. (and make an effort to understand the science of helmets)
…and I will accomplish this by wearing my team kit 24 hours a day, 7 days a week thus making it “normal wear” instead of “cycle wear”

The whole Cycle Chic concept is amazingly successful, however.  Practically a franchise.  And it gets folks out riding.  So maybe, instead of poking fun at it (again and again) what I should do is get started on the Just Another Cyclist Manifesto immediately!

Cheers to you – la bcicletta fashionistas!