By Susi Wunsch for Bicycling magazine[1]


Propelled by the advancing popularity of transit and urban riding, along with an ever-broadening definition of how bicycles fit into our daily lives, clothing makers are throwing the boundaries of cycling's sartorial territory wide open -- a tailored pencil skirt unzips to reveal a gusset for easy pedaling, a rear zip pocket finds common ground with a shirt collar and covered button placket. With so many options, everybody wins in the race for personal self-expression.


More from Bicycling:

Instantly-Classic Urban And Commuter Biking Clothes

The Best City Bikes And Accessories

America's Top 50 Bike-Friendly Cities[2] [3] [4]


Minimalism

The most refined designs are less about what is added than about how much has been subtracted. For decades, bold graphics and bright colors defined the image of road cycling, but the new minimalist aesthetic whittles away everything but the essentials of performance and comfort. In the pursuit of design purity, fine knits, muted solids, and subtle touches, such as hidden vents at the collarbones or stylish quilt stitching at the shoulder, speak louder than logos -- and permit a discreet and seamless transition from the road to daily modern living.


minimalism woman

Above: Café du Cycliste[5] Yolande Women's Jersey, Rapha[6] Women's 3/4 Bib, Vittoria [7] 1976 Pista Cycling Shoes, Swrve[8] Silk scarf, Café du Cycliste[9] Madeline Women's Gilet


minimalism men

Left: Giro[10] New Road Shirt, New Road 40 MM Tech Overshort, New Road Vest, Air Attack Helmet and Empire Road Shoe, Oakley[11] sunglasses


Right: Mission Workshop [12] Jacket, Search and State[13] S1-A Riding Jersey, S1-S Riding Short and S1-J Riding Jacket, $245


Enterprising Women

Ruled in recent years by the impulse to "pink it and shrink it," women's riding apparel is reclaiming the innovative spirit that fueled a fashion revolution during the first golden age of bicycling more than a century ago. (Women seeking an alternative to skirts drove the popularity of bloomers, as the pants were called.) Young, often-urban entrepreneurs who are largely independent of the mainstream cycling industry are creating stylish and practical solutions to challenges they themselves encounter, from achieving flattering, day-into-night versatility to maintaining safety and visibility in traffic. For many, growing a business also means building a movement to attract more women to cycling's freedom, fitness and fun.


citibike

Above: Vespertine[14] Reflective Jacket and Reflective Pin, Riyoko[15] Tights


women subway

Left: Vespertine Reflective Riding Dress and Reflective SkinnyBelt, Po Campo [16] Handlebar Bag, Kask[17] Helmet, Dante Robles Design[18] Bracelet


Right: Iva Jean [19] Skirt with zippered gusset and Blouse, GiveLoveCycle[20] Carryall, Lazer Sport[21] Helmet


Sustainability

In the world of fashion, sustainability refers to environmentally sound materials and methods of production. In sync with cycling's ever more relevant advantages to the planet, some makers of apparel and accessories craft locally (which, among other benefits, reduces waste through recycling and repurposing), employ processes that are kinder to the environment, and give back by donating a portion of profits to like-minded causes. It's often more painstaking and expensive to make things this way -- but, for some, honoring values is the best value.


sustainability woman

Above: Nau [22] Floret Skirt and Repose Tee, Dante Robles Design Woven Bucket Bag from upcycled tubes, Sawako[23] Furuno Faux Crocodile Bicycle Helmet


sustainability man

Above: Fifo Cycle[24] Reversible Cycling Cap, Truce[25] Small Drop Liner Backpack, Icebreaker[26] Torque Short-Sleeve Jersey, Giro[27] New Road Softshell Jacket, Levi's[28] 511 Slim Fit Commuter Jeans, Blackstar Bamboo Bicycle, from Rolling Orange[29]


Classics Redefined

In the days before technical fibers and sophisticated garment-manufacturing methods, cycling apparel meant jerseys of scratchy wool for racers, and dungarees and a cotton shirt for those who pedaled around town on upright bikes. Such bygone images have always conjured appealing simplicity and authenticity, and even romance. Now those memories also inspire thoroughly up-to-date apparel: clothing with ease of movement, moisture wicking and protection from the elements for daily traveling to work, running errands around town and recreational riding. Reinterpretations of old-school jerseys, as well as wardrobe mainstays like Harrington jackets, tailored blazers and polo shirts demonstrate the staying power of the classics.


woman cyclist two men


Left: Cleverhood [30] Mr Fox Point Cape, Creux[31] Slim Fit Jeans, Rapha[32] Merino Hooded Top, Londonderry[33] Classic Satchel from Adeline Adeline[34] , Shinola[35] 11-speed Runwell Bicycle


Middle: Rapha Lapelled Jacket, Ministry of Supply[36] Apollo Dress Shirt, Outlier[37] The Climbers Pants, Brooks[38] Eton Leather Satchel, Chrome Industries[39] Storm 415 Work Boots


Right Levi's 511 Slim Fit Commuter Jeans, Chrome Industries Storm Field Jacket and Truk Bike Sneaker, Vélobici[40] Tommy Godwin Classic Jersey


Photography by Nick Onken. Styling by Morgan Gibbons. Hair and makeup by Greg Clark and Sokphalla Ban.





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  • Good Storage


    Having a safe, dry place to store a bike is a very important issue to commuters. In fact, <a href="http://www.nyc.gov/html/dcp/pdf/transportation/bike_survey.pdf" target="_hplink">according</a> to the New York Bike Survey, 51 percent of non-commuters said that not having a good storage space at work was <em>the</em> most important factor in their decision not to bike.
    <br><br>
    Bike storage can take many forms -- including an interior bikes-only room, bicycle lockers, space in a car garage, or even a designated space within the office.
    <br><br>
    Not only do many employers now offer bike storage, many city ordinances, in places like <a href="http://www.bicyclinginfo.org/engineering/parking.cfm" target="_hplink">Palo Alto</a> and <a href="http://www.bikeplan.com/sc-ord.htm" target="_hplink">Santa Cruz</a>, mandate that they do so.




  • Locker Rooms


    Showing up to work, rain or shine, takes on a great deal more meaning without a car roof overhead. Many commuters will want to towel off, change their clothes and maybe even shower after a long ride in.
    <br><br>
    Offering facilities for cleaning up post-commute are appreciated. In fact, according to the New York Bike Survey, 31 percent of non-commuters said a lack of shower and changing facilities kept them off their bikes.




  • Bikes To Borrow


    It's one thing to support bike commuters on their own bikes, but for potential-riders who live too far away to make cycling sensible, daily errands and lunch excursions are good opportunities for two-wheeled travel.
    <br><br>
    Companies <a href="http://www.sfbike.org/main/san-francisco%E2%80%99s-best-workplaces-for-people-who-bike/" target="_hplink">like Atlassian</a> and (who you calling biased?) AOL offer office-owned bikes to help employees zip around during work hours.




  • Incentives


    Many companies offer tax-free public transportation passes or partial gas reimbursement, but what about cyclists? Firms that offer financial incentives may find more employees will hit the road atop two wheels.
    <br><br>
    Other incentives can include: free bike kits, accessories or lessons, like those <a href="http://www.sfbike.org/main/san-francisco%E2%80%99s-best-workplaces-for-people-who-bike/" target="_hplink">offered at Rackspace</a>




  • Repairing Resources


    A flat tire is a nuisance for anyone, but a cyclist can't exactly call AAA. Offices that stock up on tire tubes, wrenches and other useful supplies can greatly improve the lives of their bike commuters.
    <br><br>
    Or, <a href="http://web.mit.edu/facilities/transportation/bicycling.html" target="_hplink">like MIT</a>, they can go above and beyond and have actual tune-ups and repairs in-house.