VV Profile: Chris Bruntlett of Vancouver Cycle Chic

Name: Chris Bruntlett

Occupation: Residential Designer

Raison d'être: Documenting the mainstreaming of bicycle culture through words, photos, and film

Hometown: Vancouver, BC

Neighborhood: Commercial Drive

Favorite city to ride a bike in in the world: Montreal. On a BIXI. In the summertime. Je t'adore!

Helmet or no helmet: I feel fortunate enough to live in a city where I can get almost anywhere via traffic-calmed bikeway, designated cycle track, or separated seawall. So I feel perfectly safe riding without a helmet.

Type of bike: Linus Dutchi 3

Describe what you like best about your bike: The Dutch-style frame allows me to ride in an upright position, with a straight back, and very little weight on my forearms, wrists, and hands. It's an incredibly comfortable, practical, and enjoyable way to make my slow travels around town.

Describe your personal style: I ride in whatever I happen to be wearing that day: for work, it's typically a dress shirt and slacks. I'll throw on a wool coat in the winter, along with a flat cap, scarf, and gloves. My morning routine and wardrobe selection do not depend on the mode of transport I happen to be choosing that day; whether it be foot, bicycle, bus, train or automobile.

Favorite accessory when riding: I have a small, battery powered speaker that attaches to my iPhone and straps onto my handlebars for longer rides. You can't beat cruising the seawall with the kids in the summertime, music blasting, and the four of us singing along!

Favorite time and/or place to ride: The seawall in the early morning or late evening. At over 30 kilometres of car-free, waterfront goodness, it really is the gem of Vancouver. At that time of day, it's essentially deserted, with the mountains, ocean, and glass towers on display for us to soak up.

Tell me about riding around with your kids/family: We sold our car almost four years ago, and our family now makes the majority of our trips via walking, cycling, bus or train. We have evolved from a double-wide trailer, to a trail-a-bike, to a point now where both of the kids (ages four and seven) are able to ride on their own two wheels from one side of the city to the other. It has been amazing to watch the sense of joy, achievement, and independence as their skill levels increase, and they begin to learn the streets, neighbourhoods and landmarks of Vancouver like the backs of their hands! 

Tell me a funny story that happened to you when you were riding your bike: I have the funniest conversations while riding side-by-side with my children. Whether it's their innocent and unfiltered observations of the buildings and streets around them, or whatever strange idea happens to pop into their head that day, they never cease to amaze and entertain me. In the last couple of weeks, for example, my son has told me that "Cars are stupid", "Riding a bike makes his brain feel good", and people on the Skytrain should be called "Track pedestrians".

Tell me about how you got involved with Vancouver Cycle Chic and your message: Despite a reasonably safe and connected bike network, the culture in Vancouver is still quite militant: with high-viz vests, gore-tex, and helmets very visible on the streets. Even our local government and bike advocacy groups are guilty of dangerizing, politicizing, and overcomplicating the act of citizen cycling. I got involved with Vancouver Cycle Chic because very few people were presenting an alternate vision: that cycling is stylish, safe, simple, and incredibly fun.

Tell me about Cycle Chic Films and the speaking tour you've been doing: David and I decided to expand the photo blog into the world of film after seeing the "Cycling With" film series out of Dublin. After a couple of (failed) attempts, we managed to get our method, style, crew and equipment together in a suitable manner. We completed four short films in the summer, and will have two new ones ready before Christmas. Our intention was to highlight the diversity, creativity, and humanity of two-wheeled transport in Vancouver, and inspire others to consider giving it a try. I have also been presenting the films to city officials, advocacy groups, and film festivals across North America, and talking about promoting cycling more effectively. One of the films: ‘Heart and Soul’, was recently awarded ‘Best Bicycle Short Film’ at the New Urbanism Film Festival in Los Angeles.

Vélo Vogue tip of the day: Dress for the destination. Not the journey.

If you're in San Francisco on December 21st, come meet Chris at Huckleberry Bicycles, have a drink and check out some of his short films.

Photos courtesy of Chris Bruntlett.

vélo en famille

I recently ran into my neighbor, Meg Lynch, the founder and former owner of my neighborhood haunt Velo Rouge Café. A few years ago, she sold her business to pursue some personal projects.



Namely her husband Adam and daughter Ella.



And how about this tri-tandem with a big girl seat for Ella when she gets a little bigger!? For now, that head rest for naptime along the ride is ingenious.

Hip hip hooray to another two-wheeled young lady growing up riding the streets of San Francisco with confidence!

Ride on!

A Tale of Two Children

Let two pictures speak for themselves and remind you of the joy that riding your bike brings.

Be present. Be free.

next gen voguette

This just in from my friend Andrea in San Diego - her adorable daughter Capri.

Capri is over the moon about her new bike!! Blue bike for my pink girl. Note the skirt with lace cuffed leggings-- pink please.

Thumbs up for Rock & Roll - Don't Stop Believin'!

Sharing the wisdom of one little bike boy!

Mother Son Adventures of the Golden Gate

A submission from my friend Jennifer Hansen, a.k.a. Stitch Diva as she crosses the Golden Gate with her son for the first time (all words and images by Jennifer Hansen).

Max and I bike at least once a week down here in the South Bay.


Ever since he saw the photos of you and I doing it last year, he's been bugging me to to take him biking over the Golden Gate Bridge.


We did a 10 mile ride from the ferry building in SF to the yacht harbor in Sausalito - we had lunch then we took the ferry back to SF.


Max thought the bridge would be way windier than it was - I think we crossed on a calm day.

We stopped here to take a picture and look down in the water. We saw a school of dolphins swimming under the bridge.

Awesome adventure, Jennifer! Thanks for sharing and ride on!

princesses cruise

The bicycle gives you yet another way to parade your beautiful daughters around in public view.

in training

When he matures, and can bike in the big leagues, he'll be ready to check his bike in at the Bike Valet. In the meantime, Go Giants!

VV Profile: Soraya of My Dutch Bike

Name: Soraya Isabel Nasirian

Occupation: Owner, My Dutch Bike

Hometown: Los Angeles, CA

Current city: Sausalito, CA

Favorite city to ride a bike in in the world: Amsterdam

Helmet or no helmet: Sorry no helmet

Type of bike: Workcycles Omafiets 8 speed (yes, steel and heavy)

Describe what you like best about your bike: Rides smooth and steady and of course in Dutch Orange!

Describe your urban cycling experience: Used to cycle a lot in a mountain bike, bag on my shoulder not comfortable but easy. Went to UC Davis so lots of cycling there too! Now get around in my omafiets when possible avoid the hills like a plague!

Favorite time and/or place to ride: Love riding around 2 pm in SF when I can get out of the store. Traffic is light sun is warm. Also Sausalito almost anytime when the weather is great with my 3 year old son.


Artist most commonly played on iPod at the moment: Listen to Pandora, so lets see - Bonobo, Glass Candy...

Tell us how you started your company, My Dutch Bike: Been with my Dutch boyfriend Oscar, for 10 years always traveling to Amsterdam at least twice a year and riding our bicycles occasionally around but what sealed the deal was the birth of our son. It was just so easy to get around with him even at 8 months old on a bicycle even wearing heels or a skirt. Just made common sense to get these bicycles over here. I quit my job as a graphic artist and my boyfriend Oscar is just so supportive and 100% on board. It's the right time even if the economy isn't saying so. San Francisco is such a great hub for us. We have met some great people including our landlord who in her silent way as given us a chance to open up a store when otherwise would be almost impossible. She is our number 1 fan!



Any good bike date stories with your boyfriend? Actually yes, Oscar and I had our first date on a bicycle ride about 10 years ago from SF (where we lived) all the way to Sam's in Tiburon. First time we held hands and knew it was love forever after! ;) He also assisted me on all the hills by placing his hand on my lower back. Can't beat that!

Describe your personal style: Boots, boots, boots first then pick the outfit. Always works for me!

Vélo Vogue tip of the day: Riding a bicycle has to fit your lifestyle. It's not about how often you ride but that you just do it whenever you can. You'll be surprised how often that will be.

come out and play!

Apart from being a super-sunny gorgeous 75 degrees Fahrenheit afternoon, Sunday Streets in Bayview this past weekend was made for cyclists! It was hard for me to believe that I had never been on the Third Street bike lane before, and now, I will most certainly return.

Most of all I was happy to see so many children enjoying the car-free Third Street.

Look at how cool this kid on the chopper is... he's even got a girl on the back seat. Word. (Though I betcha it's his sister.)


And this pretty young thing perched gracefully on her mini dirt bike, taking a bite from her apple - swoon-worthy!


Happiness is as simple as this single white balloon. Car-free streets. Togetherness. Safety. Enjoyment.

And let's not forget the springtime sunshine. I wish Sunday Streets were every weekend.

It's Raining Mormons... in Miami

I was in Miami for a few days this week, applying for an emergency visa so I can go on my long-anticipated trip to Brazil, which is almost entirely paid for, yet missing one very important stamp in my passport to make it a reality.

Because I couldn't find a bike to rent anywhere in the downtown area, I ended up walking the entire city, running all my errands on foot, from the Brazilian Consulate, to the American Airlines ticket counter at the AA Arena, to the visa expediting service who will deliver my passport to me when I change planes from SFO to Rio in Miami on the 28th.

Phew.

Meanwhile, since my vacation started early, I decided to start reading the book I had planned to savor and review here on VV while I was away: Bicycle Diaries, by David Byrne. So far, I'm enjoying the read (sorry, Adrienne). It's as if I'm having a conversation over coffee with David Byrne himself, pontificating about all things urban, and about the effects of history on our modern cities. I must admit that I was expecting more bicycle than diary, but nonetheless, his points of view as an Everyman who chooses to see and live in cities by bicycle offers a refreshing take on a travel diary.

So I am hooked.

It seemed ironic that I started reading his book in Miami, since the first chapter consisted of a litany of descriptions about the most (in Byrne's opinion) un-people friendly cities in our country: Detroit, MI, Columbus, OH, Sweetwater, TX. What stayed with me from his writings as I walked all from one neighborhood to the next, one of the only pedestrians on the sidewalk, were two questions Byrne has posed in his first chapters: why has the "international style" of architecture (poured concrete and identical windows) become so popular around the globe, and why is cycling considered to be a poorman's form of transportation in many developed nations?



So conditioned am I to photographing stylish cyclists, I thought for sure I would see some hot and ripped bodies cruising around Miami on two wheels. But no, the only cyclists I managed to capture were these Mormon Missionaries:







Later, after traipsing along broken sidewalks for hours along the harbor, I finally caught the tram to the bus to go back to my friend's gated community in Key Biscayne. I noticed a few other individuals waiting at the bus stop.



The lyrics to one of my favorite Talking Heads songs quickly came to mind: "Don't leave me stranded here, I can't get used to this lifestyle!"

fairy bikemother

If only I could click my heels three times, I would wish to see many more cool bike moms (and dads) out on SF's streets with their kids in tow (or riding the handlebars), let alone riding Critical Mass!

Oh - and hello... rockin' white boots, girlfriend!

KT and da girlzzzzzz

fiona cloey kt 1, originally uploaded by ktieche.

Here I am in Lalaland with my two adorable and chic nieces Fiona (in front) and Cloey (on the left). We were taking a ride down to the local supermarket to pick up some food for dinner! They love riding their bikes in LA!

All Caught Up in Tweed (pt. 3)

Some folks had no idea the Tweed Ride was going on...


and yet just happened to be extremely well dressed!


And others were thrilled to be caught up in the whole mess! Hurray for one big happy cycle family!


While the Wicked Witch of the West pointed her scary finger out the window and told us there's no place like the bike lane for cyclists.

We responded to her command with a harmonious round of "Sunshine on my Shoulders."

hanging in the handle with Bikeman Ben

When Ben is in the Panhandle, I often stop to hang out with him and see who shows up.(He's kind of like the food cart of bike repair!)

Look! You can pump your tires.


Ben is even kid-friendly.

Just make sure you stop by before continuing on your way!

[Jessica Ingersoll-Cope] Guest Photo: Colorado Cruisers!

Check out these two Colorado cruiser girls riding home from the Fort Collins downtown farmer's market, Alison with a peacock feather tee and green flair skirt and Lauren with a pink animal helmet, pink shorts and pink flip flops!

This light blue and white Raleigh cruiser and kid bike attachment comes complete with a wicker basket to hold delicious summer produce and rainbow handlebar streamers to celebrate all-out cycling fun.

[Face-painting is the new black.]

Photos and commentary by Jessica Ingersoll-Cope.

of moms and dads

An SF supermum in her classic tie-dye leggings shows her girls how it's done!


And I must admit that I had my eye on this hot daddi-o with that cute smile, cap and Chucks...


until I saw him consoling/encouraging/congratulating his daughter who was apparently learning to ride on two wheels in the Panhandle.

Way to go Moms and Dads!

lindy hop

Sunday in the Park - what a cliché, but what a treat.

On Sundays the Park is closed to automobile traffic, and so cyclists and pedestrians get a chance to stop and check out some of the cool goings-on that one might not catch if whizzing by in a car. Like the free Lindy Hop dance party that happens at noon every Sunday near the DeYoung.


My pal Marisol was getting a kick out of all the kicks on the dancefloor.

And so was this tweed-coated woman snapping pics!

I think this little pink bike is a little too little for this lady in the background. What do you think?! ;-)