Charleston Cycle Chic » Slow Bicycle Movement

Cycle Chic ladies, come meet your admirer, Jeff Mapes – Author of Pedaling Revolution on 2/4

Kristin B. Walker — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 22:04:58 +0000

If you recall, way back in May, I wrote a post about Jeff Mapes book “Pedaling Revolution”, because he believes women will lead the way in changing the country’s attitude toward bicycling. Here’s an excerpt…

“As Mapes points out, when more women begin riding, that will signal a big change in attitude, which will prompt further changes in the direction of safety and elegance. I can ride till my legs are sore and it won’t make riding any cooler, but when attractive women are seen sitting upright going about their city business on bikes day and night, the crowds will surely follow…. “

Well what do you know, our secret admirer is coming to town!! So come on and meet him. Ride your lovely lady bikes to Southend Brewery and show him support, learn something, and get inspired.

EVENT DETAILS

CAC.C/CCDC LECTURE SERIES
sponsored by MyBikeLaw.com + CharlestonMoves
REVOLUTION ON2WHEELS
Across America, a cycling revolution is underway. Bicycles are changing the way people get around, and therefore how they see and understand the city—not to mention how we plan it. Bikes aren’t just for fun; more and more, they’re a primary means of transportation! This Spring will examine this amazing phenomenon and consider its consequences for the metro-Charleston area.

JEFF MAPES
Pedaling Revolution:
How Cyclists are Changing American Cities
Thursday FEBRUARY 4
7:00-9:00 PM
South End Brewery, 161 East Bay Street
lecture sponsor: Blue Bicycle Books

Jeff Mapes is a senior political reporter for The Oregonian and the author of Pedaling Revolution: How Cyclists are Changing American Cities.

He is riding a wave of excellent reviews about his book to which the influential Library Journal (which many schools and libraries base their purchasing decisions on) gave their coveted rating of “highly recommended.” Mapes has put together a broad survey of the burgeoning urban bike movement. He covers everything, from the role of the bicycle in American society in the nineteenth century to the current revolution in cycling.

In preparing for his book, Mapes traveled the country (and the globe) to ride the streets he writes about and to talk directly with the people who are playing pivotal roles in America’s bike movement. Mapes moves from the warfare between the NYPD and the bike-activist group Critical Mass, to the utopian bikeways of Davis, California and the biking capital of the world, Amsterdam.

His extensive research, solid reporting, and anecdotally-infused style offer a story that, so far, has been largely unknown to all but bicycle advocates.
You can’t have a revolution (pedaling or not) without information, and this lecture just might become one of the sparks that fuels biking’s upcoming boom in Charleston, just like his book is doing across America.

Come meet the man behind the book and get a glimpse of the bike revolution that is sweeping the country.

Listen to the words…

Kristin B. Walker — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 22:28:03 +0000

I love this video – found it today on Twitter. While the images are beautiful – it is the words that are important. Listen. Know why you do what you do. Isn’t that the zest of life?

Stop by Sully’s Studio for a Cycle Chic photoshoot

Kristin B. Walker — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 14:25:38 +0000

Yes, that right folks. One of Charleston local photographers (who happened to be on the last Cycle Chic ride) will be shooting people on bikes (any and all kinds!) this Wednesday 7/29 at his Studio. Here’s an excerpt from his blog.

“If you are a charleston resident this message is for you guys. I need your help this wednesday, if you own a unique, cool, hip, beat up, expensive, stolen, inexpensive bike I need you to stop by my studio at 253 A St Phillip street. I could really use everyone’s help on this. Tell all of your friends, come in a group or individually. Your image could possibly be used for a magazine story i’m doing about biking in charleston. If you are interested shoot me an email and let me know approximate times. I will be there all day and night. TELL ALL OF YOUR FRIENDS!! Yes I will give you the images so you can have them for looking pleasure! It will be a great time! sully@davidsullivanphotography.com”

Slow Bicycle Race – Amsterdam v. Copenhagen

Kristin B. Walker — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 15:24:09 +0000

I laughed so hard my stomach muscles hurt and I can’t see through my tears. I for one, think we MUST do this tomorrow after the Cycle Chic ride, after we’ve had a chance to refuel at Fuel. Anyone in??

Here are the official ‘Rules’ – which are also hilarious.

From all the way across the planet – New Zealand Rocks with Frocks on Bikes

Kristin B. Walker — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 14:19:08 +0000

All ya’ll have to check out this great organization in New Zealand – Frocks on Bikes. They’ve got it going ON! They are fabulous, gorgeous and most importantly, they are pedaling for change. They’ve got events popping up all over the place – from workshops to Film Fests to Carnivals and everything in between.

From their website…

“Frocks On Bikes spontaneously emerged in New Zealand, in a space of two short weeks in the lead up to the 350 Climate Action festivals being held in Auckland and Wellington. We mobilised over 350 frockers pedalling for change – making a beautiful point as we promenaded through our cities calling for action and awareness on climate change.”

Their Facebook Group

And the weirdest thing – I clicked one of their links about “6 Reasons The World Needs More Girls on Bikes“ which led me to Treehugger.com, the article written by a woman in Sweden and what do ya know – a picture of my red patent leather heels on my lime green bike came up. Flickr/Social Media blows my mind!! But really, after you marvel, read read read because what they have to say, has to do with you!

Best Quote of the Day – “Women…might find riding in high heels is easier than walking in them.” Amen sistah!

Charleston Cycle Chic Ride – June 24th @ 6PM. Get your heels on!

Kristin B. Walker — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 15:42:35 +0000

Ladies (and you chic gents), how about another Charleston Cycle Chic Ride? We had so much fun with the last one and met some great people, I thought what the hey – we should have another! This time we’re doing it after work with a post-ride social hour included so we can laugh and chat and while a beautiful Charleston evening away. Direct your eyes below for all the lovely details:

When: Wednesday, June 24th @6PM

Where: Meet at Marion Square (the corner of King and Calhoun). We’ll ride down King St, left on Market, right on East Bay, around the Battery and up Ashley Avenue to end at Fuel Caribbean Cantina at the corner of Rutledge and Cannon. Yes, the fine people of Fuel have kindly offered to take care of our bikes (and provide service with a flair) in their beautiful outdoor courtyard!

Why: Because we love to ride pretty. Because we all know it’s the best way to see our beautiful town. Because we definitely like to support local business. Because we are hip to the new biking culture of Charleston. And most importantly, because we want to have some fun!

RSVP: on Facebook or leave a comment below.

Where do we go?

View Larger Map

The Copenhagen Cycle Culture – I’ve got envy!

Kristin B. Walker — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 21:06:34 +0000

Is envy wrong? Check out this super-cool video by Mikael, the gent who started it all across the pond. Look at the teems of bicyclists going about their daily lives, the parents and their kids, the high heels! Charleston – we are not so unlike Copenhagen. Sure they are a bit older than us (only by a few hundred years), but we are both flat, surrounded by water and bridges with fantastic architecture and an incredible mix of people. How about it? Is it in our blood?

Ladies – Looks Like We are Starting a Revolution

Kristin B. Walker — Sat, 30 May 2009 15:18:41 +0000

A friend of mine forwarded me a link to the most recent New York Times Sunday Book Review, in which author David Byrne discusses Jeff Mapes’ new book “Pedaling Revolution: How Cyclists are Changing American Cities.” Here’s an excerpt from the article that states EXACTLY what Cycle Chic is about, and why, all you women out there, we are starting a revolution. Enjoy!

Excerpt….““Pedaling Revolution” is not about mountain biking the Moab sandstone formations in Utah or the network of bucolic paths that link some of the rural Massachusetts colleges; it’s not about racing, Lance Armstrong or what kind of spandex to buy. Nor is it about the various forms of extreme biking that have arisen lately….For decades, Americans have too often seen cycling as a kind of macho extreme sport, which has actually done a lot to damage the cause of winning acceptance for biking as a legitimate form of transportation. If your association with bikes is guys in spandex narrowly missing you on the weekends or YouTube videos of kids flying over ramps on their clown-size bikes, you’re likely to think that bikes are for only the athletic and the risk-prone. Manufacturers in the United States have tended to make bikes that look like the two-wheeled equivalent of Hummers, with fat tires and stocky frames necessitating a hunched-over riding position that is downright unsafe for urban biking and commuting. But that’s been changing for at least a few years now. Whew.

As Mapes points out, when more women begin riding, that will signal a big change in attitude, which will prompt further changes in the direction of safety and elegance. I can ride till my legs are sore and it won’t make riding any cooler, but when attractive women are seen sitting upright going about their city business on bikes day and night, the crowds will surely follow…. “

Cycle Chic Ride video is now taking the world by storm ;)

Kristin B. Walker — Fri, 29 May 2009 13:01:43 +0000

What’s better than lovely ladies riding bikes through Charleston? Video posted! Thanks to my friends Dustin Ryan for the great footage and Jim Wallace on the Bike Taxi.

or on Vimeo

http://www.vimeo.com/4895044

Photos from the Charleston Cycle Chic Ride!

Kristin B. Walker — Fri, 15 May 2009 21:04:26 +0000

While it was storming all around us, somehow the sun managed to shine down on the Charleston Peninsula and illuminate 50 beautiful women on their fabulous bikes (and a few stylin’ guys). We had hats and heels and skirts galore and even a couple of tandem bikes. Shiny pink fenders, white leather seats, and all the colors of the rainbow were out in force. Thanks to my friends Dustin Ryan and Jim Wallace (with their newly formed video company – Pedicab Productions) for all the fantastic photos and upcoming video. Check out the ladies! There are multiple links to multiple slideshows so you can get your fill of the gorgeousness. If anyone has others – send the links to chscyclechic@gmail.com.

Thanks to everyone for coming out to ride in support of CharlestonMoves and to show this town we love the biking lifestyle – It’s chic to ride!

Stay tuned….we think there will be more….:)

Ridin' Pretty down King St

Here’s the Cycle Chic Flickr PhotoStream

Cycle Chic at the Digitel

CharlestonMoves Photo Shoot

City Paper Pics (courtesy of Angela Hanyak)