If you think you’ve seeing a lot of chic bikes around lately – you’ve noticed right. Brands like Club Monaco and Biomega are creating stylish new city bikes for those who would ride to work or shopping – if only it wasn’t so … not chic. No doubt a nod to Chanel‘s newest addition to it’s sports line, I am happy to see so many good-looking new models anyone would gladly call their ride. Perfect for weekends, suitable for parties too.


Chanel bicycle from last year $12,000


Club Monaco Limited Edition Gazelle $995

They say in Amsterdam you will spy thousands of bikes like this evey day, ridden by women in heels, men in suits and citygoers of all ages in every manner of everyday fashion. They may be smoking, talking on a cell phone, shopping, etc.

Club Monaco’s bike is looking a lot like “The Oma” from bike makers Dutch Bike.

The men’s version of the Oma, called “The Opa”

Biomega also asked super-designer Ross Lovegrove to design a bicycle of materials stronger than steel. The result is being presented at Milan’s Design Library at Via Savona between the 22nd to 27th of April.

Ross Lovegrove bamboo bike

Speaking of bamboo bikes … There is a workshop in Broklyn called the Bamboo Bikes Studio that will show you how to build your own bike made from bamboo produced in Africa and South America. The project provides sustainable development by financing bamboo factories. Already partnering with The Earth Institute at Columbia University and Millennium Cities Initiative to create the first bamboo bike factory in Ghana, Bamboo Bikes Studio will team with art studio 3rd Ward in New York on Sunday, 3 May 2009, for the first weekend workshop and website launch.



Mission Probable: Felt MP Cruiser military style bike $550

Some of this trend may be attributed to the bike-sharing systems in Europe; there, celebrities and urbanites alike, use the pay-per-ride bikes.


Jessica Alba, below, on a Paris Vélib’ bicycle, Paris’ bike-sharing system.

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Mary Kate and boyfriend Nate ride bikes in NYC

New York designer Lela Rose on her 3-speed Worksman Industrial trike with custom-built rear carriage for her puppy.