Bikie Girl Bloomers: Smart Clothing for Women on the Move

In a world where fashion often comes at the expense of practicality, Bikie Girl Bloomers is making waves by redefining women’s apparel for those on the go. Founded by Karen Canady, a passionate advocate for cycling and a woman with a mission, Bikie Girl Bloomers is a brand that encourages women to embrace the joy of riding and living life on their terms.

Let’s delve into the origins, unique offerings, and future aspirations of Bikie Girl Bloomers, straight from an interview with its founder.

The Bikie Girl Bloomers Story

Bikie Girl Bloomers was born out of Canady’s personal experiences as a commuter cyclist. Canady realized that she preferred riding in skirts and dresses, except for those pesky gusts of wind that blew up her skirt. 

“I noticed that I wasn’t using my bike to get to work as often as I thought I would, and I started asking myself what the obstacles were. One was realizing that I preferred riding in a skirt or dress, except for the occasional whoops! when the wind blew up my skirt hem,” Canady says. “I knew I didn’t want to wear padded bike shorts for such a short ride, and wanted something comfortable enough to just wear all day.”

The struggle to find practical yet stylish clothing for her bike rides led her to create a solution. In 2012, she decided to take the plunge and released the first styles in Spring 2013. Her goal was simple yet profound: to inspire more women to hop on their bikes without compromising their personal style.

Karen‘s Bicycle Journey

Canady’s love affair with bicycles dates back to her early-20s when she purchased her first adult/road bike. Exploring the rolling hills of Oregon’s Tualitin Valley, she discovered the joy of cycling and the convenience of using her bike for commuting.

“One of my first big purchases once I had a job after college was a bicycle,” she explains. “I wanted to be able to ride out to a lake not far from the town where I was living. I fell in love with the joy of riding up and down the rolling hills of Oregon’s Tualitin Valley. I realized how much more sense it made (and more fun it was) to use my bike instead of my car to get to work.”

Life took her on various paths, but her passion for biking never waned. After years of hiatus, she returned to cycling, rekindling her love for it, and embracing it as a way of life.

“Interestingly, it was the desire to launch Bikie Girl Bloomers that motivated me to start joining social rides,” Canady says. “Other than training for the AIDS ride back in 1998, I had avoided social rides, as I knew I was too slow for road cycling groups, and yet road cycling was my primary bike love.”

But wanting to connect with a greater cycling community and spread the word about Bikie Girl changed her focus, in addition to helping her get comfortable biking in her city as she learned more about bike-friendly streets and urban cycling.

“At first these rides seemed annoyingly slow-paced and populated with an odd assortment of cyclists of varying skill levels. But it was through these rides that my eyes were opened to so many parts of Los Angeles I hadn’t seen before – or places I’d passed by in a car, but had missed so much of what they had to offer,” she explains. “I made friends with some of the folks I saw on these rides, and some have remained, years later, my favorite ride buddies.”

Eventually, she started volunteering, signed up for the city’s bicycle advisory committee and is now a self-professed “bikevangelist.”

What Sets Bikie Girl Bloomers Apart

What makes Bikie Girl Bloomers unique is their commitment to blending fashion and functionality. They offer high-quality shorts with multiple panels sewn together using comfortable Spandex-based fabrics and fun prints. Unlike other options on the market, Bikie Girl Bloomers are designed for all-day wear, providing comfort and style for various occasions, from riding to a day at the office to a night on the town.

“All of the Bikie Girl Bloomers shorts are cute and comfortable for wearing all day, alone or underneath other clothes,” Canady says. “The other difference is that Bikie Girl offers coordinated outfits that include skirts and tops (and soon dresses) that not only go well with the Bloomers, but are suited to cycling while also looking nice enough for business wear or going out to dinner.”

But what truly sets Bikie Girl apart is their patented Skitch, a skirt hitch that lets you raise the hem while on the bike, keeping it out of the way while cycling and allowing a peek at the cute Bloomers underneath. It’s all about embracing style and comfort on and off the bike.

“After all, those cute shorts shouldn’t be hidden all the time! And when you arrive at your destination and want to drop the skirt back into “normal mode”, it takes only a quick release of a button,” she adds.

Company Growth and Future Vision

Since its inception, Bikie Girl Bloomers has seen steady growth, doubling its sales each year in its early years. While sales leveled off for a time due to resource constraints, the brand experienced an uptick in 2020 as cycling gained popularity. Canady has managed Bikie Girl as a one-woman operation, but she envisions the potential for growth and expansion as the demand for stylish, comfortable bikewear continues to rise, especially with the growth of e-bikes and improved bike infrastructure.

Bikie Girl Bloomers appeal to a diverse range of women, but the most common customer falls in the 45-65 age group. These women are active and embrace their unique style, seeking clothing that offers both comfort and a practical yet vibrant aesthetic. They may use their bikes for transportation, enjoy dancing, or work in various professions, including teaching children.

Personal Journey and Vision

Canady’s personal journey mirrors the evolution of Bikie Girl Bloomers. Over the years, she’s discovered the power of embracing her true self, rejecting stereotypes, and celebrating her femininity without sacrificing strength. Bikie Girl Bloomers encapsulates this transformation, offering practicality with a touch of fun, just like the stretch lace trim symbolizing her shift towards celebrating her femininity.

Final Thoughts

Bikie Girl Bloomers isn’t just a clothing brand; it’s a movement that encourages women to be themselves, enjoy the freedom of cycling, and look good while doing it. Canady’s passion, dedication, and commitment to creating smart clothing for women on the move have paved the way for a brighter future where practicality and fashion can coexist seamlessly. With a unique product lineup and a growing community of satisfied customers, Bikie Girl Bloomers is poised to inspire women around the world to get on their bikes and ride, regardless of where their journey takes them.