|
|
|
Blue Springs, MO —
Most of us would question, when was riding a bike fashionable… if ever? In many countries it has either been fashionable, mainstream or necessary in order to get anywhere. In the U.S. it was first fashionable in the 1880s. It appears that 130 years later it is becoming fashionable once again.
In September, The New York Times ran a cover story in its fashion section about fashionable women and the bikes they were riding as part of their stylish ensemble, not apart from it. This included a $365 leather and canvas bag for their handlebars.
“They are clad not in spandex but in fluttery skirts, capes and kitten heels” wrote Ruth La Ferla, the story’s author.
Another piece of evidence is the retail clothing company, Banana Republic, which has been running full-page ads in national magazines showing a relaxed young man in a dark gray suit, red shirt, scarf and tie. The catch is he is not behind the wheel of a sports car, but on a bicycle.
A search on the Web seems to support and even amplifies the trend. Here are some blogs which support the statement – Urban Velo, Cyclelicious, Riding Pretty, Velo Chic NYC, Chic Cyclists, Bikes & The City – all dedicated to celebrating cycling in towns and cities.
There appears to be a statement that bicycling is a lifestyle! This “lifestyle” is not just about clothing or the bike itself, but a trend that bikes are becoming, once again, a means of transportation, not just for exercise or sport. Bikes are becoming a means of even expressing ourselves.
The League of American Bicyclists, an organization that dates back to the 1800s, reports that cycling to work grew by 43 percent from 2000 to 2008. One city, Portland, Oregon witnessed a 238 percent increase in bike commuting.
Why is this occurring? It appears to be a combination of public policy, the health movement, the economy and even the green movement. Cities, counties, states and even the federal government are recognizing, planning, and spending funds on bike lanes, bike access and bike racks/lockers.
Some businesses and industries are encouraging employees to bike to work by providing locker rooms and financial motivation. Even the Missouri Department of Transportation has in the past few years changed its view on providing funds for bike lanes, sidewalks, and connections such as the bike lane over the Missouri River on the Heart of America and Chouteau Trafficway bridges in Kansas City.
Most of us would question, when was riding a bike fashionable… if ever? In many countries it has either been fashionable, mainstream or necessary in order to get anywhere. In the U.S. it was first fashionable in the 1880s. It appears that 130 years later it is becoming fashionable once again.
In September, The New York Times ran a cover story in its fashion section about fashionable women and the bikes they were riding as part of their stylish ensemble, not apart from it. This included a $365 leather and canvas bag for their handlebars.
“They are clad not in spandex but in fluttery skirts, capes and kitten heels” wrote Ruth La Ferla, the story’s author.
Another piece of evidence is the retail clothing company, Banana Republic, which has been running full-page ads in national magazines showing a relaxed young man in a dark gray suit, red shirt, scarf and tie. The catch is he is not behind the wheel of a sports car, but on a bicycle.
A search on the Web seems to support and even amplifies the trend. Here are some blogs which support the statement – Urban Velo, Cyclelicious, Riding Pretty, Velo Chic NYC, Chic Cyclists, Bikes & The City – all dedicated to celebrating cycling in towns and cities.
There appears to be a statement that bicycling is a lifestyle! This “lifestyle” is not just about clothing or the bike itself, but a trend that bikes are becoming, once again, a means of transportation, not just for exercise or sport. Bikes are becoming a means of even expressing ourselves.
The League of American Bicyclists, an organization that dates back to the 1800s, reports that cycling to work grew by 43 percent from 2000 to 2008. One city, Portland, Oregon witnessed a 238 percent increase in bike commuting.
Why is this occurring? It appears to be a combination of public policy, the health movement, the economy and even the green movement. Cities, counties, states and even the federal government are recognizing, planning, and spending funds on bike lanes, bike access and bike racks/lockers.
Some businesses and industries are encouraging employees to bike to work by providing locker rooms and financial motivation. Even the Missouri Department of Transportation has in the past few years changed its view on providing funds for bike lanes, sidewalks, and connections such as the bike lane over the Missouri River on the Heart of America and Chouteau Trafficway bridges in Kansas City.
OK, Blue Springs is not New York City, I understand. So is biking fashionable in Blue Springs? Well I can’t suggest that it is now or will be in the near future. Even though we began planning for a bike route and trail plan in 1990, we are just getting started in providing facilities, connections, motivation, and education. We are seeing more bikes since we completed the first phase of construction over a year ago.
What’s next? Well, planning for the next phase of our bike routes and trails system will begin after the first of the year. Please watch our Parks & Recreation Department Web page for more information on when and where the public hearings will be.
