Editorial Amy Walker

“In matters of principle, stand like
a rock; in matters of style, swim with the current.”
– Thomas Jefferson [more...]

As we were putting this issue together we talked about why we were publishing a style issue. Tania, our Associate Publisher, said, “When I started biking to work, my first thought was to pull out all my old clothes.” Mia, our Marketing Director added, “I thought I had to go out and buy a bunch of special spandex gear.” This is the story for many of us. We started bike commuting for practical or environmental reasons and we girded ourselves for the physical activity. Over time, and learning from more worldly and experienced riders, we saw that we could wear our street clothes, our dresses, even our good shoes while riding. When we realized we didn’t have to wear special gear on our bikes – that we could look like ourselves and wear what we liked, we felt excited, liberated. [more...]

Stand on an urban street corner early in the morning and ask the passing cycle commuters what they love about riding to work. One or more will likely declare, "It's the best part of my day!" I wonder if, on particularly gorgeous mornings, some people get to work and just keep on riding. [more...]

Though I still thoroughly enjoy my ride to work, it's no longer the best part of my day. With a recent surge of interest in mobility biking, there's an exciting feeling of discovery as we investigate and connect with other parts of the self-propelled world. There's significant movement to change the landscape for cycling in North America - and it's clear in talking to self-propelled people. That's my favourite part of the day - connecting with other riders and learning about their view of the Bikeosphere. [more...]

Bike snobs can kiss my axle. I don’t care what kind of bike you ride, just as long as you ride one. Still, I want you to be comfortable, without pain or strain, to enjoy a smooth, quiet and efficient transfer of your energy into motion. I want you to be visible at night, and I want your clothes to be safe from rain splashes and greasy chains. I want you to know that there are mechanical adaptations which can make your ride more pleasurable – so you become unconscious of the workings of the machine – and turn your attention instead to the experience you are having with the world around you. [more...]

The other day as I was riding up and over the hill towards my home, a man and a boy came riding along on the street beside me. [more...]

Kate, my Mom, bought herself a new bike three years ago. [more...]

As we were preparing this issue I was reminded of the first time I had a relationship with another cyclist. He was one hot biker – and I was smitten. [more...]