Sherry, W Taylor St & S Loomis St, Chicago, IL

Sherry rides a a maroon Schwinn 1980 World Tourist from Working Bikes.

Where are you going? Heading towards the Roosevelt branch of the Chicago Public Library to pick up some books and then to Mario's for some watermelon Italian ice! 

What are you wearing? I got this blouse, skirt and shoes from the Village Discount Outlet. 
Why ride? For the independence and the freedom of being able to go anywhere at any time.
Favorite ride? Riding along a river in Nijmegen, the Netherlands, and seeing wild horses, sheep and birds with a dear one.
While riding you …? Listen to music, sing when no one's watching, and enjoy the sights and sensations of the city and weather.
How can Chicago improve bike infrastructure or make Chicago more bike friendly?  It can reduce the amount of potholes on the streets and increase the number of bike pathways. Air pump stations for tires would be a nice addition.

Iwona, N Elston Ave & W Augusta Blvd, Chicago, IL

Nicole, W Division and N Milwaukee Ave, Chicago, IL

Nicole rides a teal 1965 Murray Jetfire

Where are you going?

I am  on my way home to bbq with my in-laws, after stopping by The Butcher and Larder for some of their homemade sausage!

What are you wearing?

My summer uniform (cotton skirt or dress), Bensimon shoes (great for biking - so grippy and no laces) and my Sawako Furuno helmet.

Make/model color of your bike, and where you got it?

"Jetty" is a 1965 Murray Jetfire obtained from Craigslist. She was a little beat up when I bought her, but I was instantly attracted to the petite teal frame with white lightning bolts. My husband rebuilt the wheels, and we added the white cruiser seat, white chain, and white basket. She's heavy, but I love her anyhow. 

Why ride?

Because it's fun. What's better than a leisurely weekend ride to deliver a basket full of cookies to friends? 

Favorite ride?

Any freshly paved road, the Boulevards through Logan Square & Humboldt Park, and the West Loop at night when no one is around.

While riding you …?

I'm totally on the defensive, but I will let my mind wander to thoughts of pastries or home remodeling when traffic is calm.

 

How can Chicago improve bike infrastructure or make Chicago more bike friendly?

I think dialogue and community action is vital. I love that there's so much cycle-friendly energy from city government right now, but I feel the key to continuing and building upon that momentum is engaging cyclists, pedestrians and even drivers in the creation of that infrastructure (WE ARE the city). I'm involved in Bike/Walk35 - a committee trying to improve pedestrian and cycling safety in the 35th Ward. We're working as a group to come up with some ideas, but also reaching out to the community at large to find good solutions for improving our local "active transportation" environment. 

Kathi, Art Institure South Garden, Chicago, IL

Tell me about your bike, and where you got it?  My bike is a RED (favorite color!!) and black TREK 4100. It was a gift from my father for my birthday about 6 years ago.

Where are you going?  You caught me riding from lunch with a friend in the Art Institute south gardens back to work at Columbia College Chicago Center for Book and Paper Arts.

 

What are you wearing?  I'm wearing a long skirt and summer top, with bike helmet and Nike sandals.The skirt is easy to bike in if you clip it up with some binder clips!

Why ride?   Bike riding in the city is quick and direct. And I get to spend more time outside, in the park having lunch!

Favorite ride?  My favorite ride in the city is along the lakefront, to and from work. Second favorite is riding to visit friends in my neighborhood in the evenings.

While riding you …?  I find when I ride I daydream about people, places, situations... I often come up with solutions to problems while on a bike ride.

How can Chicago improve bike infrastructure or make the city more bike friendly?  improve bike infrastructure or make Chicago more bike friendly?

Mark the lakefront paths for BIKES/SKATERS and PEDESTRIANS. Many pedestrians don't use the nicer paths designed just for them. For some reason they continue walking on the bike sections, even though it's hard for them to walk when people on wheels are whizzing by. I think it's because they are not aware the pedestrian paths are often nicer for strolling, and they are located ONLY about 16 feet east of the bike path, closer to the water.

Kristen, 200 Block of South Wabash Ave, Chicago, IL

Pisey, W Huron St & N Wells St, Chicago, IL

Pisey rides a1979 Chicago-built Schwinn Collegiate Sport that she got from Mike’s Bikes of Oak Park

Where are you going? I'm going to the post office to send my sister a care package, that's the shoe box I'm carrying in my basket!
Tell me more about your bike, and where you got it. My bike is a 1979 Chicago-built Schwinn Collegiate Sport.  I got her from Mike’s Bikes of Oak Park.  He's a little under the radar but has been collecting, reconditioning, and competing Schwinns for decades.  Not only was he extremely nice and helpful, he was also very passionate about his bikes - you don't meet people like him often these days!  I highly recommend his bikes, you can find him at 708-522-9208.
Why ride? it makes me feel like the best kind of bitch.
Favorite ride?  I love riding along the lakefront, especially the southern part near the planetarium and museums; its not crowded and the view from there is surprisingly tremendous every time.
While riding you …?  Smile, wink, blow kisses, pop wheelies, ring my bell, hike up my skirt.

What are you wearing? I'm wearing my favorite shirt, a skirt that shows just more than enough thigh, gold jewelry, and Chanel perfume.  Bag is vintage Fendi. I'm embarrassed you caught me in flats.
How can Chicago improve bike infrastructure or make Chicago more bike friendly? My only gripe is that drivers are not more cognizant of bikers, other than that, I think Chicago is relatively bike friendly for such a big city.

First Time Stitches

Yesterday, in a weird twist of fate, I almost got run over by a car and ended up with stitches after impaling myself on a part of my bike (the fenders?) .  I was just sitting at a fresh red light when a car came careening straight towards me through the red light.  To avoid a collision, I threw myself (with my bike) to the left.  Sheer adrenaline kicked in and after the narrow miss I realized I had impaled my leg on my bike down to the bone, yech. I'm doing fine, and only needed five stitches, but so far I think August should be National Bicycle Crash Awareness month.

Don't want to be a downer, so I promise no more graphic injury photos after this ; )   I have lots more Bike Fancy photos waiting in the wings.

*** Northwestern Urgent care center is the BEST.  In and out in about an hour, and all the doctors are dreamboats. 

Regina Update

I got some terrible news last night.  Gina, who's photo I posted yesterday was hit by a car last night on the northside of Chicago.  It was a pretty major accident and she was hospitalized. I have very little details but just wanted to send some well wishes her way.  Get well soon Gina.

Gina's accident really has made me reevaluate my blog.  The main reason I started this blog was to raise the visibility of female commuter cyclists inspired by this Scientific American Article.  

The Chicago Tribune also recently wrote about the same topic saying that women are the "indicator species" in urban cycling. As a population, women are more risk adverse, and they cycle more when they feel safe.  When I hear about friends and acquaintances getting hit by cars, I realize that Chicago still has a LONG way to go to make cycling safe for everyone.  The truth is that it can be very dangerous.  I've been doored, clipped, and ended up on the hood of the car, and it is terrifying.  To anyone that has been hit, Active Trans offers crash support.  Take care and be safe out there!

Regina, S Halsted St & W 21st Pl, Chicago, IL

Regina rides a rebuilt Dawes from the 80's.  The frame is from Working Bikes.

I photographed Gina for a story about her and her friend Keri’s cocktail blog Through the Liquor Glass.    Of course when I found out she rode her bike to the photo shoot, I just had to take a Bike Fancy picture.
 
Tell me more about your bike, and where you got it. My bike is a Dawes possibly from the 1980's. The frame is from Working Bikes. A friend and I fixed it up last Summer with new components.
Where are you going? To work, in the Gold Coast.
What are you wearing? Worishofer sandals, Carin Wester dress from Urban and a fair trade bag from Ecuador
Why ride? It's the only thing I've done consistently in terms of transportation and exercise for the last seven years. Even in the dead of Winter, I'd rather ride.
Favorite ride? Diagonal streets and those with more room
While riding you …? Try to be courteous. There is a natural animosity between cars and bikes so this is not always possible. A certain amount of aggressiveness is innate in sharing the road.
How can Chicago improve bike infrastructure or make Chicago more bike friendly? Chicago's a great city to ride because it's flat and easy to navigate. Driver acceptance of bikes on the road is key. Cars: don't get frustrated if a bike momentarily slows you down and stay off your cell phone. Bikers: anticipate, take out the head phones and wear a helmet:)

Green Bike, N Oakley Ave & W Lyndale St, Chicago, IL

On occasion, I take someone's email to interview then, and loose it.  Dang.  That is the case with this nice gal.  I don't remember her name, or email, but I DO know that this was her first time back on a bike since grade school.  She was still a bit spooked by heavy traffic streets, but was having a great time riding around the city.