Cycling Chic

You don't have to go very far on the internet to find out what the world's cycling capital is - Copenhagen.

With extensive and often separated bicycle lanes, it is easy to see why the largest city and the capital of Denmark is considered the most bicycle friendly city in the world.

Copenhagen's bicycle culture is so well-developed that it has given rise to the term "copenhagenize," which refers to the practice of other cities adopting Copenhagen-style bicycle elements and infrastructure.

But perhaps the true beauty of Copenhagen's bicycle culture is its people. Nearly 40% of its population commutes by bicycles on a daily basis, and they do so in style. What Paris is to the fashion industry, Copenhagen is to bicycle culture.

Well known blogs like Copenhagen Cycle Chic, with the great tagline of "Streetstyle and Bicycle Advocacy in High Heels," and its sister site Copenhagenize, have readily taken account of its regular citizens in regular clothes.

And now the mainstream media has finally taken note of Copenhagen's unique street fashion with a photo essay in the current edition of Travel & Leisure.

If you are still unsure of cycling's benefits, you need only look at the effervescent face of 85-year old Great Grandmother Lis Stahl (bottom), who still cycles to the shops every day.

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Photos: Christian Kerber