Cycle Chic Spotlight: Team Member Meredith

Aude: Where are you from?

Meredith: I am originally from the beautiful Central Coast of California. I first moved to Rotterdam in December 2010, when I just finished urban planning studies at UC Berkeley, and my husband was accepted to graduate school at Erasmus. Now we live in Amsterdam, since July ’12, and totally love it here.

Aude: How do find living in Amsterdam?

Meredith: Of course I dearly miss our friends and family, but our Dutch life is easy to love. I have totally fallen for this city; there’s always something to see, a new adventure every day, a gezellig café to try, and of course, riding a bicycle is so easy and so chic.

Aude: Tell us the story about your bike.

Meredith: It was love at first site. I named her Rosa. She is a second-hand Batavus Old Dutch from a bike shop in the Pijp.  I added the bike shelf thingie and a second-hand basket from my favorite vintage store on Vijzelstraat.

Aude: How did you find us?

Meredith: I met the guy behind Copenhagenize and Copenhagen Cycle Chic at an event at the Pakhuis de Zwijger and he introduced me to Joni. As an urban planner and cycling fiend (and photography enthusiast), it just seemed natural to be a part of this cycle chic movement.  Any way I can promote cycling to the world–I’m in!

Aude: Why do you want to be a part of the Cycle Chic movement?

Meredith: I think when people come to Amsterdam, many are inspired by everyone riding bicycles. Young, old, rich, poor – it doesn’t matter who you are or what you do, people ride bicycles. Inspiration comes from many places, but I’m honoured that my new home, The Netherlands, is an inspiring country from which regular people (even city leaders and change agents) can learn. This is exactly what I work on as well. I was a mobility consultant for several years and now a PhD researcher at the Urban Cycling Institute. Cycle Chic complements my approach to urban planning and design. In the end, it’s not about bikes – it’s the people.

Aude: Well, welcome! We’re glad to have you join us!

Pictures of Meredith by Aude – Pictures of bike & text by Meredith