By, Christa Clark-Jones
For some girls, diamonds make their heart skip a beat. For me, a shiny bicycle does the same. The simple, elegant design of a bicycle compliments a woman: a delicate frame, its light swiftness, and modest tone speak volumes. And while one cycles, it seems time stops and luck greets her. She descends from the bike stronger and healthier.
With minimal work and in the right circumstances, cycling is convenient and safe. The bicycle was my main mode of transportation in college. Davis, California is a bicycle-friendly city where it is easier to cycle than to drive. I became instantly hooked. Now when in a new place, I always find myself on a bicycle. When studying in Europe, I got around Vienna, Zurich, and Copenhagen almost exclusively by bike. And because my native Southern California is pretty much paradise, the climate and topography are more conducive to cycling than Switzerland can ever hope for.
Upon my return from Europe, I made a video to promote bicycle infrastructure and submitted it to the Fit-City Competition. It won and I was invited to the 2008 Oxford Health Alliance Summit in Sydney, Australia. You can guess how I traveled around Sydney, having not missed one thing I wanted to see.
Cycling is not just transportation; it is healthy, social, and chic. Increasingly, many are discovering the benefits of cycling and moving with style and grace. Cycle Chic, a term coined by a bicycle advocate and blogger from Copenhagen, is spreading to all corners of the globe. Copenhagen Cycle Chic inspired my own blog on Southern California Cycle Chic, Bike by the Sea. It highlights chic cyclists against the sunny Southern California landscape.
Her Niche’s goal is to inspire confidence in women cyclists. Their presence on the street is a sign of a healthy community. We are designing products to make cycling easier, reduce stress, and enhance style. Stay tuned for more info on product development!
Santa Barbara Cycle Chic
Tags: Bicycles, Bike, Christa Clark-Jones, cycle chic, Eco-friendly, Fashion, Green Fashion, Health, Her Niche, product development, Sustainable
