Compliments of the Portland Mercury
On the one hand, it's good that biking is becoming so mainstream that you can now buy a pair of All-American bikey Levi's. On the other hand, the one thing biking doesn't need is more expensive, specialized clothing that makes the mode of transportation seem like a hip clique. Especially when the pants only come in cuts for men. The nervousness about not riding a bike correctly—not even, "Am I in the right lane?" but, "Am I cool enough for this? Do I look ridiculous?"—keeps some people from getting on a bike at all.
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Poster's note: In the interest of safety, I encourage helmet use at all times, but it is a rider's discretion whether or not to wear one.
This is precisely why we need better promotion and availability of utility bikes in American culture. Levi's is reinforcing the popular misconception that riding a bike requires special clothes and accessories. They've created a product for a "problem" that never existed.
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