another fine use for thighs

Lilia here. When I first got back from France last month, we were amid a heat wave that would put any European to shame. While Paris was cold and overcast, San Francisco (the-coldest-winter-you-ever-spent summer) was ablaze. So, shooting chycks in their summer dresses biking around became easy.

While I would love bike share at train stations, poor accomodation of bicycles on our transit systems irks me. This woman was forced to prop her bike between her thighs to keep it still during her BART ride. Yowza.

Here she is leaving the train:

downtown girl

This San Francisco woman showing off as much style and elegance as any parisienne in her smart black and white ensemble and pointy high heeled boots.

In my opinion, however, it is much easier to ride in heels than to walk.

VV Profile: Marie-Lyse

Name: Marie-Lyse Paquin
Occupation: Product Manager
Neighborhood: Lower Haight
Hometown: Montréal, Québec
Favorite Color: Green
Favorite City Besides San Francisco: Paris
Difference between riding in San Francisco and Montréal: In both cities, there's not enough space to park your bike. And in Montréal you still can't turn right on a red light.
Describe Your Style: Northern Style! I still dress like Montréal!
Vélo Vogue Fashion Tip: Dress in layers (at least 3)!

bicycle ballet

This is Allison. I ran into her about a week ago in the Upper Haight. She and her friend were riding off, presumably, to ballet class, in their leotards, tights and legwarmers. Allison threw a chic red knit cover-up over her dance attire. The ride to the dance studio also provides a pre-workout warmup!

VV Guest Photo: Holly from Madison, WI

My friend Holly sent me this photo without commentary, except this: Vélo Vogue Madison style! Thanks for sending this pic of this adorable cyclist our way, Holly!

We love getting submissions from our readers. So please keep sending them!

those who love vélo take the train

The closest I got to Amsterdam on my recent European trip was the town of Leuven, in Flanders (the Flemish speaking part of Belgium). It is immediately noticeable upon arrival in a Flemish town that you are no longer in Wallonie (the French speaking part of Belgium), with the Dutch cultural influence and the noticeable difference in the number of people on their bicycles. I don't understand why the Wallons are not as keen on cycling for transportation as the Flemish. (Maybe some of our European readers can explain here?)

This was the only photo I managed to grab while I was in Leuven. She was unfolding her bike when she exited the train, on her way to work or home, or somewhere else entirely. Either way, she looks formidable in that pleated olive green skirt and scarf. 

les parisennes

Since I have already made my homage to Parisian men, it's only fair to give equal time to the beauty of les parisiennes.

An illustration by Kiraz of une parisienne à vélo in the garden at Musée Carnavalet:

Another sign that purple is the "it" color this season:

Her pink raincoat blends well with the grey vélib' (plus, I adore her high-heeled mules):

Pulling curbside to window shop in St. Germain:

Notice how this woman, wearing a yellow top paired with printed black and white mini-skirt and sandals, is bursting ahead of the Smart car on her vélo :

I was waiting for my friend near les Arènes de Lutèce when this striking cyclist in a grey ensemble casually strolled by:

breaking the rules

What are fashion rules if not meant to be broken? This striking woman in white, if she lived in New York and not Paris, would technically be breaking the rules, since I photographed her after what we Americans know as Labor Day.


But on this gorgeous sunny afternoon in early September, her outfit couldn't have been more in season. However, at this intersection off Place de la Bastille, she was very mindful of the traffic rules, waiting for the light to turn green to push off from the curb.

Vive la différence!

Paris isn't always about that classic look. It's a city whose residents also take risks with fashion. Here are some Parisians on the cutting edge of cycle-style.

Blue man with do rag:
In her Chuck Taylor All Stars, she casually paused for a telephone call:
After-work texts with a hip Freitag messenger style bag (or shall I say European man's carry-all):
This guy was the closest thing to a San Franciscan that I saw in Paris, with his purple and yellow fixie, rolled-up pant leg and hat:

Meet the Twins Brothers, two dj's who live in the banlieue and frequently ride around Paris on their VTT's wearing hoodies and helmets (They told me they wear helmets to stand out among all the Parisians who don't). The Twins are coming soon to SF for a show at the End Up!

footloose and fancy free

Sexy mama in black on her vélo complete with child's seat:

Practical pumps on the bike lane:

Parisian mom in classic style buying a boule de Berthillon for her son, removing one of her shoes before engaging the kickstand:

l'amour à vélib'

It all starts with a little flirtation at a red light.

Then he'll whisk you off on the back of his bike to a romantic corner of the city where you've never been before.

Then, after a fabulous four-course meal, he'll charm you as you gaze upon the lights on the Seine.

(This couple was out on their bicycles at about 2 a.m. right in front of Notre Dame. One great benefit of the Vélib' program is that you can take a bike to get around town even after the last metro.)

enrougir

Parisian cyclists are rolling out the red!

Walking her bike across the street in Saint Michel with her friends after work

Casual cut-off jeans with espadrilles
Gorgeous layered look with this long-sleeved mini-dress with tights and matching purse in her Vélib's basket
Matching flats and shirt with her red bike on the designated bike lane on Boulevard de la Bastille
Red hoodie with daisy-patterned miniskirt and black hi-top sneakers

[richardmasoner] Ben Ready

Longmont Times-Call reporter Ben Ready rode his bike to the Longmont Civic Center breakfast station on his way to work.

http://www.cyclelicio.us

[richardmasoner] Cute Cruiser and Hot Felt

Cute bikes and hot bikes at the San Jose Bike Party.

And wow, look at all of that pink in this photo.

http://www.cyclelicio.us/

[richardmasoner] Emily and her pink cruiser

Emily commutes in style in Menlo Park, California on her beautiful pink cruiser bicycle. "I love my pink bike!" she exclaims.

http://www.cyclelicio.us/