Happy Bike Month, Safely

Hooray, June Bike Month activities are sweeping Toronto and freshly stenciled “sharrows“ (Shared Lane Pavement Markings) are cropping up on select streets eg. Little Italy, which remind cars that these designated routes allow cyclists full use of the lane.

But face it, riding around downtown can be, uhmmm, weird. So why risk overall safety around rotten apple drivers by not adopting basic precautions – proper helmet, reflectors & lights, signaling intention to turn/stop, and keeping alert (ie. NOT listening to your ifartPad while blazing around at night)?

The following everyday sexy señoritas and hot-shit dandies (and friends of Hammer&Popsicle) maintain cool, Helmet Hair-proof coifs and practice safe riding. They know that accidents don’t distinguish between someone whipping down 4 blocks for condoms or a Weekend Warrior trekking to St. Catharines. And let’s just say that if you were to be seriously injured by a car while riding, you might have a lot more to worry about than just the fate of your awesome haircut. So helmet up & ride responsibly, for your own sake.

Granny Gremlin‘s so bad-ass that he can sport plaid in suit form. He wears his right pant cuff real high, which puts nicely worn-in burgundy Docs to better work.

Ride: 15-yr old Concorde Rock n’ Roll mountain bike that’s been stolen from him, retrieved, then customized to bits

Favourite Bike Destination: a good ol’ concert

This Intelligent Poodle takes a breather from darting around town, with trusty (art) journal and signature pink glory. Note the mini-light on her helmet, in PINK. On any other girl this much colour matching would certify a vomit scene. But on her, it’s just oh. so. perfecto.

Ride: Miele with front basket, tricked out in tinsel & bouquet. Might just match her vacuum by the same brand. For real.

Favourite Bike Destinations: Moksha Yoga, Kensington Market for juice/health food/coffee kicks and “magic hour Cherry Beach rides that turn into starry night velo avventuras”

Lesson from the Post-Modern Bohemian: it takes a real dandy to pull off a pink bike. Without hesitation or irony, he single-handedly hoists it onto a barrier, sheds helmet and flashes us some Blue Steel-ish cool. Wow.

Ride: 20-yr old Norco

Favourite Bike Destination: veering west of Sunnyside towards the shores of Mimico, for quality reading

Caffy (pictured up at the top) rocks high-stylin’+function short-shorts (ever try pedaling in baggy track pants?) while her bateau top & vintage tan leather purse lay finishing kicks to dude bystanders before she sets sail onto some magical street that’s paved with croissants.

Ride: Norco hybrid

Favourite Bike Route: winding through Sherbourne and Mt. Pleasant, en route towards heavenly americano, no doubt

Watch this space for more Safe Bike Month Dude/Chiquita featurettes!

Are you a Safe Bike hotty? Write bloggerrhea|gmail|com for consideration with headshot, brief bike description & favourite Toronto route/destination