hot dudes on bikes - cycle beauty

Some of you may have caught wind of the debate in the world of cycle chic lately, as some cyclist-bloggers feel that being fashionable on your bike - and showing off how you look - demeans and objectifies women.

I disagree.

As a bike fashion blogger, who is also female, when I see photos of women wearing "normal" and "stylish" clothing when riding their bikes, I am inspired by them. You are making not just a fashion statement, but a political statement for the normalization of cycling in our cities.

Sure, you will turn some heads. But I say, own it. You are beautiful. You are bold. We see and hear the statement you are making.

Biking to work is normal. Biking to socialize is normal. Biking to run errands is normal. Biking to sight-see is normal. You don't need any special equipment or clothing to do it.

And that doesn't just go for women cyclists. You men out there are quite inspirational too.

Here at Vélo Vogue, we appreciate not just your beauty, but your intelligence for choosing the healthiest, most sustainable, most enjoyable mode of transportation, and your decision to inspire others with your choices by sharing your photos with us.

Daniel Menlo Park
by Richard Masoner / Cyclelicious

Vera Velo in Paris #4
by Daydreamer HQ

Vera Velo in Paris #2
by Daydreamer HQ

by 'Xander @416cyclestyle

by Cosmoblue

De paseo
by M$MO

Green Shoes
by Adrienne Johnson SF

Sin motor es más rápido: Movilidad independiente en patines
by Claudio Olivares Medina

It's ok to admire beauty, in all its permutations, right?


Montrealize said...

I can't beleive there are people still skating on these!

perthcyclist said...

I think there is a need for a culture of cycling to be built up and promoted which allows a different perspective aside from racers in lycra. The problem I have with some of the cycle chic blogs is that they celebrate one type of cycling - the 'beautiful' side. In a way it doesn't add much more diversity to the image. Where are the tradies riding home from work in their flouro vests and steel capped boots? Where are the old shirtless guys with the radio hanging from the bars and a carton of beer on the back? Where are the cheap mountain bikes that most people use to get around?

Kristin Tieche said...

Perth - "cycle chic" comes in where other factions of the bike culture are lacking.

No one movement can meet the needs and tastes of every individual. "cycle chic" inspires a certain type of cyclist, perhaps a type of cyclist who is hesitant to wear flouro vests and steel capped boots.

Last time I checked, women can't ride shirtless in most cities without being cited for indecent exposure. But I'm all for a guy taking his shirt off. ;-)

And if you have ever read my blog, you would know by now how much I like beer. So I'll let that comment slide.

There are lots of cheap mountain bikes and cheap road bikes that have been featured on this blog. So OPEN YOUR EYES!!!

Francis Oliverio said...


Kristin Tieche said...

Francis, they are wonderful, indeed!

jet said...

Believe me, there are some guys who you don't particularly want to see shirtless, but maybe you don't get the kind of leathery old men that we do in your part of the world.

I suppose I have been a lurker but I have been following your blog for probably close to 6 months... have not seen anyone ugly on it yet!

Kristin Tieche said...

jet - that's quite a cute cat you have there.


thanks for following!

and here in sf, naked folk of all types abound on our city streets. we're used to it!

Elena said...

Nice post! (:
I like it that you post stuff about bikes here, haven't seen something like that on a blog before!

please visit my blog, it's new:

Belles said...

Love these photos!! Thank you.

Ridonkulus said...

before i read the article, i thought you meant demeaning women by showing pictures of them in their underwear on bikes (i've seen a lot of these floating around). but simply being fashionable is just a personal choice. i kinda agree with elly in that cycle chic isn't necessarily progress, but it sure is fun!

Kristin Tieche said...

Ridonkulus, whereas "cycle chic" may not inspire you to ride more, it actually does inspire women to get back on a bike for the first time in many years. So the movement may not speak to you personally, yet it is extremely influential worldwide. Elly's argument is that cycle chic dictates what people SHOULD wear on a bike. I disagree. The cycle chic movement is about showing people that we have OPTIONS, many more options than just sportswear.

Any you are right, it is very, very fun, which is inspiration in and of itself. :-)

Kristin Tieche said...

I meant "AND you are right"