On the Street - Taga Love

Market Day

I think we're going to like our new home.

We launched our Green Chic Project on Saturday in partnership with Sydney Sustainable Markets and spent a gorgeously chilled few hours pimping bikes (and scooters) and chatting about bikes and veggies and bees and all things sustainable.

Great to catch up with Peter from PS Bikes too and take the gorgeous Christiania cargo bike for a spin.  Really looking forward to some exciting collaboration there....

Like us on facebook to keep up with project details.  We'll be running workshops and events at the markets at Taylor Square on the first Saturday of every month from April 7.

     

Cycle Chic Kids Roll in to Taylor Square

We're excited to be kicking off a series of bike-themed urban sustainability workshops and events this weekend at Sydney Sustainable Markets with the return of the much loved Cycle Chic Kids!

Little kids (and big ones...)  can drop by the stall at Taylor Square from 9am-1pm on Saturday 25 February to pimp up their bikes with our re-purposed, re-cycled crazy craft.

Guaranteed to make your ride more colourful or your money back.   No wait, it's free!

These monthly events in partnership with Sydney Sustainable Markets are part of our Green Chic Project and we have big plans.

Want to weave your own bike basket or make a bamboo crate to get your veggies home in?
Fancy checking out some cargo bikes and seeing just how much shopping and kids they can hold?
How about racing one - are you game?
The Slow Bicycle Movement - how slow can you go?
Finally want to learn how to fix up that old Schwinn you have in the garage?
Maybe you just want to show off your handsome bike in our pop-up instant photo-booth - we have props :-)

Surely one of the loveliest, friendliest local markets in Sydney we're very happy to have found a home so please stop by, have a coffee and say hello, we'd love to meet you.

Event details will be posted on the facebook page or email us to be added to the mailing list.

Mobile Moments - Series 2, Part 3

They just keep getting better and better...
The thing that fascinates me most is that you never actually see the Christianiabike they are riding in - but the facial expressions say it all.

See all the films here.

Thanks to everyone who contributed to the making of these films - wonderful.

Mobile Moments - Series 2, Part 2

More! More! More!

Happiness is a cargo bike.....

Mobile Moments - Series 2, Part 1

More happy smily people in the Christianiabike, sailing across the Perth Cultural Centre for the followup series of film portraitures for the Proximity Festival as part of Fringe World 2012.

This is a fascinating series - loving each film a little more each time I see it.

Cargo Bikes Make You Smile - Part 1

It's film week this week at Cycle Chic.

Here's a gorgeous series of films by Road Physical Theatre.  This film portraiture project was conceived and developed by Sarah Nelson during a 2011 Artist Residency with DADAA Inc, a community arts project in Derby, Kimberly Western Australia.

The (mainly) unseen star of the films for us is the Christianiabike - how could you not smile...

Cycle Chic Cargo Bike Nicked!!!

And so it was that just before Christmas, the time of goodwill towards our fellow humans, some sods decided to get the bolt cutters to Mr Chic's Kona Xtracycle and ride it away from Kings Cross Parking Station in Sydney.

Not only is it one of a kind and loving built by Mr Chic but it has stunningly, sustainably transported all manner of Sydney Cycle Chic stuff and kids to events across the city and we need it back!

Will we be as lucky as Mikael in Copenhagen and his stolen Bullitt???

If you see it please email me and call Kings Cross Police on 02 8356 0099 who have the report.

Cargo Surfing - With a Bullitt!

Thanks to the lovely guys over at Cheeky Transport for alerting me to this today - just brilliant.
They have a shout out to Bullitt owners so if that's you and you're game for a spot of cargo surfing get in touch!

The Blingtastic Launch of Cycle Chic Kids!

What a wonderful way to roll off the first Cycle Chic Kids event.

Despite the overcast day which may have kept some families away, we managed to sidestep the rain and spent a very happy few hours in Centennial Park creating magic.

It's funny when you organise a kids event, you can never quite tell if it will work - they're funny creatures (never work with kids or animals right?) but when it works ?  Boy it works.

Within five minutes of unpacking the tubs of craft supplies, all 20 or so kids (plus their eager parents...) were into it, up to their little arms in fabric, flowers, ribbons, foil, paper, bells....you name it we had it.

   

It was hard to keep a smile off my face as I snapped away and watched them festoon their bicycles and scooters and tricycles with their finds.  Talk about creative ?  We had a doll in a basket wrapped in paper complete with a foil cupcake in case incase she got hungry.  We had flowers and leaves stuck like peacock feathers from saddles.  Silver starts threaded through spokes.  Space helmets and rocket boosters attached to training wheels....I could go on.

    

The wonderful Paul became No 1 King of Bling and was sweet-talked by all the kids into driving them around (and around) the park in the Gazelle Cabby.  Who doesn't love a ride in a cargo bike, it's the modern equivalent of the bouncy castle I reckon.

And the fun didn't stop with the kids.  Quite a few parents tried out the Cabby and my Velorbis.  Nice to see adults having so much fun with bikes too - it really is infectious.

  

So fun was had by one and all  and plans are already underway for the next one.  BIG plans.  Please make sure you like the facebook page to be kept upto date with details or drop me an email and I'll add you to our new Cycle Chic Kids email group. 

It was impossible to judge a winner out of the kids as they all made such an effort so we decided to award a Basil basket to Hannah who made the longest journey to join us with her Dad.  We loved meeting you both and Mark you have been voted the coolest Dad on two wheels (or three in your case....) - hope you survived the long trip home?

It's been impossible to edit the 300 odd photographs from the day (see the rest on flickr) but the kids speak for themselves, so here the are - some of the first Cycle Chic Kids from Sydney.

    

I am endebted to so many people for helping to make this a success and offering their support.  What a wonderful bicycle community we are a part of.  Without wanting to turn this into an Oscar acceptance speech, permit me to say THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU to (in no particular order):

The Lord Mayor, Clover Moore MP who was due to launch the event but her recent foot injury prevented her from attending.  She has been a great supporter of Sydney Cycle Chic as we are of hers!  Her speech is here.

The entire Cycle Team at City of Sydney who tirelessly give me their help and advice.  Elaena Gardner from BIKESydney for her wisdom and loaning us their Cabby (sorry about all the stickers....). Kathi from Feather Brigade for her crazy craftiness.  The supreme Queen of Craft, Liane Rossler for just being the most creative and generous person I know.  Liz Nield and Lyn Heal from Opera Australia for getting behind me and digging out those pink leaves.  Neroli for being so wonderfully generous.  Miss Sonja for being my fellow cycle chica from the start.  Milou for being calm and keeping me in Gin. Jim for being there and giving me free reign of the UTS faculty guillotine.  The kids and parents at Montessori East for getting into the spirit.

And of course, last but not least, Mikael, the Godfather of Cycle Chic for the cute logo and the Felix's (Sydney and Copenhagen) for inspiring this in the first place.

Cycle Chic Kids Are Go!

One more sleep to go and everything is set for the launch.  We have rummaged through Reverse Garbage, begged and borrowed recycled bits and bobs from friends, scored great crafty supplies from the wonderful Wardrobe Department at Opera Australia and now we're ready for the blinging and biking to begin.

There are cute bike baskets to give away for the most imaginatively decorated bicycles, thanks to our lovely supporters at Gazelle Australia.

Perhaps take a spin in their Cabby too!

My 'Queens of Craft' will be on hand to help with the bike blinging and have all sorts of fabulous ideas - are you ready for unicorn bikes?  Perhaps a robot bike is more your thing?  Paper flowers, beads, bells? Just bring your bike, scooter or tricycle, raid the recycling box for fun stuff to bring and share and be prepared for some F U N!

WHAT:   Bring a family picnic, do some crafty bike decorating and have a fun ride in the park
WHO:     Kids of all ages and their families and carers (with bicycles!)
WHERE:  Near the Learners Circuit at the southern end of Centennial Parklands (map link below)
WHEN:    Sunday 28 November from 10.30am to coincide with Centennial Park's Spring Car-Free Day

Please like our facebook page here and RSVP to the event here or leave a comment or drop us an email

Centennial Parklands information here and map here

Storms are scheduled for late afternoon so fingers crossed for good weather in the morning - we will only be rained off if it's actually raining at 10am.  Check here for an update if unsure!

Hier op mijn Fiets - Batiste en David

Yeah I'm fluent now.:-)  'Here on my bike' is wonderful, it's cheesy, it's Dutch and it's full of bikes and damn it's catchy.  Feel good song for Summer #2, gives Mark Ronson a run for his money....

Thanks for the tip PvB.

Cycle Style, Bake Sales and Bicycles

Plans for this Saturday's Cycle Chic Sundays ride have taken over my life lately so before I get on with the final preparations, here is the latest from Sydney.

Last weekend I had the pleasure of spending time with Joyce from Cycle Style Australia.  She was in town for a few days doing some research for her stint as guest blogger on the Design Files - very exciting to be featured in her Sydney roundup today. She has also written about some great Sydney cycle destinations so check it out!
Of course we spent our time looking for cycle chic on the streets of Surry Hills, (what really, I hear you say)..... and we weren't disappointed!

       

[l. Lisa & that Bullitt / r. Anna and her retro pink Repco Traveller]

[Taylor Square chic - Matt & Anna]

[Anna & Ronan doing a lap around Taylor Square before heading off down Bourke St]

           
[l. Remy outside his Bourke St cafe Remy & Lees /
r. Molly & Kit from Three Point Turnz blog and their yummy bake sale to raise funds for
Joy Ride - 10 bike babes riding from Melbourne to Brisbane]

       

[l. Chris and his red racer / r. Matt from the Bicycle Film Festival]

The Watershed Bike Library Launched!

This really is a wonderful idea and if it is to survive the 12 month trial period, it needs, and deserves our support.

A joint initiative between City of Sydney and Marrickville Councils, and in partnership with Bike Sydney, Australia's first 'bike library' consists of a small fleet of cargo bikes and specialist trailers that can be borrowed for up to three days.  Membership and hire fees are very affordable which makes this a perfect option for anyone needing to transport large items or small children [!] or indeed anything that your imagination can dream up.

Launched on Friday by Lord Mayor Clover Moore MP and Mayor of Marrickville, Sam Iskandar, there were jokes about them being able to fit a fridge.  But jokes aside, the Lord Mayor said "we are offering an affordable, convenient, healthy and environmentally friendly alternative to running errands in cars.  This unique library will encourage more people to use bikes to get around their local area".
Citing Alan Jones's anti-cycle ways campaign as hostile, her speech was well received by the group of Sydney's cycling advocates, local community representatives and bike business owners present.

With the Watershed's commitment to sustainable urban living, and Sydney's current push towards getting more cars OFF the roads and more bikes ON them, this has a definite 'right time, right place' feel about it.
Cargo bikes are used widely in Europe but they have yet to become commonplace in Australia, so what are you waiting for ?  Be the first to go and try one out, take your girlfriend/boyfriend/mother, move some stuff, do some shopping or just take the kids out for a spin - trust me they will love it!

Fee Schedule and further details on the Watershed's website here.

Cargo Bike Fiesta!

Ok so fiesta may be a slight exaggeration but within a few days I have seen more cargo bikes than I can poke a stick at!
Sydney has not fully embraced the cargo or freight bike yet but slowly, as with our developing bicycle culture, times are changing.

First there was this beautiful white Bullitt cargo bike up in Bondi, my sources say it's been seen around a lot lately so I'm hoping for a glimpse of the owner soon.

This weekend also sees the end of the two week long Sydney Design Festival and incorporated into that was the Live Futures 2020 Festival, a curated weekend of events and workshops aimed at opening discussions and changing the way we live.

Those forward thinking folks at sustainability resource centre The Watershed in Newtown were there to lend a hand by schlepping equipment around in their two freight bikes.  Their Gazelle Cabby and Xtracycle will form part of the proposed "library" of transport bikes due to open for public use in the next few months.
The Watershed is a joint initiative of the City of Sydney and Marrickville Councils and is yet another great way that Sydney is supporting sustainable environments within the urban community.

I caught up with Mithra and Andrew from The Watershed as they took the Gazelle for a spin - oh and my Felix is also a BIG fan....