Bike in a skirt?

Yesterday at the Commuter Breakfast, a new cyclist, seeing me bike up in a skirt, asked where she could go to buy a skirtguard. For those of you who have no need for one of these, skirtguards keep long/flowy skirts from getting caught in the rear wheel spokes. While a popular feature on bikes abroad, they are darn near impossible to find in the states.

Copenhagen girls (a terrific blog by the way) has a good bit on skirtguards found here.

I only realized skirt biking could work after quizzing my girlfriends who were already doing it. Now I bike in skirts all the time, and am often asked if I biked there when I get places. You don't see many women doing this in Atlanta just
yet, but many of my favorite local speedy girls (and a few men too!) bike in skirts, especially in the summer, when a skirt offers some serious advantages over bike shorts or pants.

Beyond keeping your skirt out of the spokes, here are my top tips for skirting the issue:

1. Change the material, not your style. If you wear short or medium length skirts you'll want to make sure the fabric is stretchy and the hems secure. If you wear longer skirts this will be less of an issue. I love pencil skirts - those with a back slit make near-perfect bike skirts - just make sure the slit is secure/reinforced (I've had one rip before).

2. Headbands become thighbands. Take an old headband, add a safety pin, and voila! Instant skirt flyaway protection. Simply position your new thighband where you want it and pin to your skirt.

3. Short shorts can be modest. A pair of boy-cut short shorts can easily be worn under nearly any skirt, allowing you to show up anywhere in your regular clothes without requiring you to change out of unsightly bloomers. Any shorts under a skirt are a secure solution.

4. Any tights can be bike tights. Just cut off the feet of a pair of old hose or tights, and you've got an instant, trendy skirt solution. This is my personal favorite, especially with a jean skirt on the weekend.

5. Skirtguards are out there. If you prefer long and flowy skirts, I have come across a few options in the way of skirt guards.

a) Make your own. There are several examples online, including this one at instructables.com.

b) Order online. I found one option in the U.S. from Electra - go to accessories, then select skirt guard. They don't have any photos, but they do appear to have two "ladies" models. Another option comes from Bicycle Workshop in the UK. You have to call to place an international order.

Send your tips to rebecca@atlantabike.org, and when it comes to biking in a skirt, dare to wear!