Comments

• Careful with the heels!

  I actually found this article as I was searching for suggestions on some nice rubber soled ballet flats (maybe with an ankle strap) that I can wear biking. I live and bike daily in SF and used to in DC. I love bike commuting, but I have to tell you guys, be VERY careful biking in heels! I fell off my bike one year ago wearing a pair of low heeled ankle boots (they seemed great for riding - rubber sole midfoot and everything) and caught my heel on the pedal. Instead of sliding off the pedal when I fell off the bike, I fractured several bones of my midfoot into multiple pieces and ended up having two surgeries and not walking for over six months. I'm very lucky I can walk today. Be VERY careful. I often struggle with what to wear on a bike as a female who is into fashion, and I don't think it's worth compromising if the end result is hurting yourself or getting into an accident with a vehicle, which will do more than just land you with foot surgery.

  Posted by emmeli April 05, 2012 23:31:00

• high heels

  I am so tired of seeing women on bikes in high heels on the pages of Momentum Magazine. I have been a commuter cyclist in urban centres for 12 years and I have only once seen a woman on a bike riding with high heels.
  
  It rubs me the wrong way as I find high heels offensive and don't get why women bother. I'm sometimes more tomboy sometimes more femme and I wish Momentum's femme editors would commit to a bit more diversity in the magazine. Where are the images of Blunstone boots riding bikes? Or sneakers or plaid shirt women?

  Posted by cara February 14, 2012 09:52:25

• Biking in fashion

  We love the concept that woman bike in fashion (such as wearing heels) and actually most of our customers (www.villycustoms.com) get our fashion bicycles because of how fashion oriented they are :)

  Posted by Adelaida January 20, 2012 15:12:38

• mom bikes in heels

  I'm not a mom but I've been bike commuting in my regular women's clothes, including heels, for four years for pretty much the same reason - saving money and escaping the constraints of being trapped in a car. I usually bike home for lunch or just to visit with the dogs and enjoy that much more exercise in my day. @Mel, it's women who largely determine these days what we wear; I think you might be making an assumption about the author or women who enjoy high heels and fitted jackets have bought into what the patriarchy have determined to be sexy. I dress to please myself; if my husband is please as well then that's great too.

  Posted by Karen Voyer-Caravona January 20, 2012 12:58:31

• What to wear conundrum

  I highly recommend the polyester jersey wrapdress, which I am wearing in this photo. It is my daily uniform for work, and is appropriate for my profession where more formal business attire is required. This fabric (polyester spandex) acts and feels much like dry-fit perfromance material; It stretches to the extreme, wicks sweat, and dries quickly. Patterns conceal any dirt. The fabric does not wrinkle and can remain in my pannier or desk drawer ready to wear at all times. I do keep Vibrams with me for riding and switch if the ride demands it. I have cycled in all kinds of clothes, and for daily riding this type of dress is flattering to and fits almost all body shapes (I earned those the thunder thighs!) is forgiving, easy to maintain, very durable, comfortable, and super versatile. I strive toward Zero Waste and consider myself a conscious minimalist and have just 7 of these type dresses which comprise my entire business wardrobe. I do not have a closet, just one 36" shelf at home for clothing. Lots of trial and error and study went into the "what to wear" conundrum! :) I like to keep it super simple.

  Posted by Laura Wells January 20, 2012 12:46:14

• excellent

  Love it. I had the exact same experience. Now I am known as the Crazy bike lady in town!

  Posted by suburban bike mama January 20, 2012 09:18:25

• the patriarchy

  while i am so happy that women are hopping onto bikes, especially with children!!, i still am skeptical of the "biking in heels" narrative. as a woman, one of the best things the bike did for me was get me out of normative feminine clothes. it was easier to bike in a loose jacket than a cute, tight coat. it was more comfortable to bike in loose skirts or pants. it was safer to ride in sneakers than ballet flats or heels (i sprained my foot once falling off my bike in ballet flats. without the sturdy structure of a shoe, my foot was mangled). while i am bummed often that most clothes i see for women just are not bike friendly (esp jackets with little movement in the shoulders), i am more happy that i have thrown out what the patriarchy has determined to be "sexy" and found my own way. so while i am, again, so happy women are taking up the bicycle i do not include being able to wear clothes that make us quite immobile (tight skirts and heels, for example) to be cause for celebration.

  Posted by mel January 20, 2012 09:09:59

• Mama bikes

  Wonderful story, brings tears to my eyes! So inspirational, yet it should all be so ordinary, that's how out of whack our world is. Most importantly your boys will be inspired by you. And yes, "wind-blown hair, twinkling eyes and rosy cheeks" are def a sexy look. Rowrr.

  Posted by Bill E January 16, 2012 05:24:24