Get cycle chic for National Bike Week

From June 14-21 it’s National Bike Week, so now is the time to hop on your bicycle and travel to work in the greenest way possible. But let’s be honest ladies: a lot more of us would cycle to work if we didn’t fear the associated Lycra or Pauline Prescott helmet hair. So, can we take the greenest form of transport and still look stylish?

From Olympic cyclist Victoria Pendleton modelling a recycled mint green Union Jack dress in this morning’s paper, to the weekend’s naked bike ride through London parks, it’s fair to say that National Bike Week has already started as it means to go on; creating an attention seeking stir and causing us to rethink our travel options.

If this is your first foray into cycling stylishly, then I suggest Cyclechic.co.uk. Even the helmets are cool on this site and there are bag boxes in tartan in which to store your lunchbox and stilettos. I’m also a fan of the cycling capes in the same material; peddle fast enough and you’ll swish triumphantly past grumpy commuters like an eco-conscious superhero.

The cape in the picture above is lovely, isn’t it? It’s by Dashing Tweeds. The Lumatwill Cape is highly reflective and Teflon-treated to allow water to roll off if caught in the rain. Initially available in the yellow raver design as a play on the high visibility vest worn by emergency workers, it costs £400.

Back to Cyclechic.co.uk, there are tips on how to avoid getting hot and sweaty, with shoulder bags rather than back clamping rucksacks, plus clever Merino wool, which keeps you cool in the heat and warm in the cool so you won’t turn up to your Tuesday meeting looking like a post-concert Meatloaf.

If you’ve got long hair, make sure it’s dry before you leave the house and put it in plaits to protect it from a blast of pollution. Apply your make-up when you arrive at work early, having simultaneously slashed your journey time and avoided the sub-tropical climate of 8am Victoria line.

If you’re worried about mucking up the hems of your trousers, then peddle a bit of 80s style with legwarmers – a fun alternative to bicycle clips – which also provide extra visibility if worn in neon shades.

And the final bonus: with acid brights and block colours in season for Summer, even a reflective bib will keep you in Vogue. That said, should the fashion powers-that-be decide to champion road blend chic for A/W 09, best to put safety first.

Have a look at Cyclechic.co.uk.

Find Bike Week events happening near you.