Cycle Chic Spotlight: New Team Member Lily
Welcome to the Amsterdam Cycle Chic team, Lily! To get started, tell us a bit about where you’re from and how you ended up in Amsterdam.
After visiting Amsterdam a few times as a tourist, I came back in 2009 to work as an au pair for a year. That’s when I first learned how to ride a bakfiets! Through the ups and downs, something kept pulling me back to Amsterdam…many adventures and one master’s degree later, I’m still here, cycling around the city on the same yellow bike.
What’s the story behind your colorful bike?
I love that the Dutch cycle as part of their every-day routine and suspected it would become a passion of mine too. So, I figured that a sturdy Dutch bike would be a smart investment and a fun souvenir of my time in Amsterdam. It was winter time when I first arrived and the bright yellow reminded me of the sunshine I desperately missed back home in Orlando.
So far, I’ve encountered plenty of adventures with my trusty omafiets but funny enough, she never made it back to Florida permanently and neither did I! At first, I added various colorful, flowery accessories but everything was stolen over time. Now I keep it simple with a colorful bell, flowery panniers and of course, a huge lock.
How do you find living in Amsterdam?
I absolutely love Amsterdam! My expat chapter became longer than expected but now that I’ve completed my master’s degree, finished Dutch integration and launched my freelance creative business, it’s really feeling more like home.
Name three things you love and one thing you loathe about cycling in Amsterdam:
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- The convenience! Getting around the city center is faster by bike and fortunately, safe too.
- The scenery! Nothing beats cruising along the historic canals on a quiet evening or passing over the Amstel with a warm breeze in my hair.
- The weather! Let’s be honest, it’s never fun to get pummeled by hail, blown over by wind or caught up in a surprise rainstorm (Confession: I eventually gave in and purchased that typical HEMA rain suit out of necessity).
Why did you want to join the Amsterdam Cycle Chic team?
Amsterdam is a utopia for everyday cycling and while living here, I’ve adapted to doing as much as I can by bike. Growing up, I loved riding my bike but unfortunately, Florida doesn’t have the safe, organized cycling culture that we’re so lucky to enjoy here in Amsterdam.
Amsterdam Cycle Chic showcases the city’s bike friendly initiative offering a view of how convenient and fabulous everyday biking can be! I hope other cities are able to learn from Amsterdam and offer both safety and scenery for everyday cyclists in the future. Plus, I’m often snapping photos around the city to share on Instagram and my travel blog so, joining the ACC team is a perfect fit.
Welcome Lily!
Movers and shakers
We all love seeing what others can fit and balance on their bikes… umbrellas, pets, babies, shopping. And there there are times where your breath is taken away. The Dutch certainly know the fine art of ‘getting the job done’. Movers?!! Pffft! On your bike! He’s clearly happy with his achievement!
By Mel
Get your self-driving bike today only!
Google Netherlands has finally released it’s much-talked-about self-driving bicycle. “It’s the best invention since the bicycle itself,” says the director of the Dutch bicycle advocacy group, the Fietserbond.
Check it out for yourself:
Ring Ring… bike delivery!
Saw this lovely burst of colour whizzing by, delivering a parcel, and I just had to stop him! He spent the day riding through snow, sleet, rain and finally some sunshine. Didn’t seem to phase him 🙂
…Go DHL!
By Mel
Gameboy
Just when you think your weary legs can’t cycle anymore … you spot what we like to call a ‘Chic’er’ – a super chic cyclist with some fashion on board! Gameboy backpack + faux fur coat + pink gloves and grooving to tunes, en route to somewhere fabulous for sure. Arriving with style people!
By Mel
Poncho giveaway!
Get ready for the rainy season (here that’s every season) with a bike poncho! Thanks to The People’s Poncho for working with us on this giveaway.
This poncho has it all: slick waterproof shell, sheltering hood with drawstrings, snap clasps at the sleeves, and even handle bar grips to prevent flying away with the wind and rain! There’s a little waterproof zipped pouch for valuables. And the piping is even reflective. Retailing for €75 – but worth every penny.
The only thing you need to do is comment below telling us your favourite thing about biking in the rain.
Comment by Thursday, we’ll announce the winner on Friday!
small print: only open to UK/EU addresses – sorry!
It’s Christmas time!
There are Christmas trees buzzing around the city every day, being wheeled, placed and decorated in homes, all over Amsterdam!
This handsome fellow has made his catch, and making the journey look easy! … 12 sleeps to go!
Image by Hannah Staley
Turquoise delight!
It’s officially the cold, grey, rainy season here in the ‘Dam, so it’s a breath of fresh air to see some colour around. This girl is rocking some turquoise locks, and has a cool bike to match! Even her backpack is smiling 🙂
By Mel.
Public transport
You may have seen some of these guys and girls around town, collecting tourists or saving a soggy rain-soaked biker. They are the bike taxis and are also part of our Amsterdam street scene! They must be super fit, from riding all day collecting passengers – and must thankful we have no hills and tiny bridges. Seems like a more eco-friendly choice when it comes to public transport.
Colour-coordinated
The Dutch have a great sense of style. They love matching their outfits. This cyclist goes one step further, and matches his bike, bag, clothing and shoes. He’s ‘on board’ with a lot more than that ferry!
The things they carry
I love seeing the range of items Amsterdammers transport on their bikes. A coffee maker, a gas can, even a table… these folks make it look easy! Something to aspire to.
By Sarah
Parkside riding
It is the most beautiful time to ride at the moment… fresh breeze and a little sunshine. Get out on your bike, and head to your favourite park. Like ours, Vondel Park.
By Mel
Fall racer
This cyclist is super matchy-matchy, in his double yellow in fall! It’s also a great colour for staying visible on the streets of Amsterdam, on those gloomy days.
By Mel
Wired for sound
You hear a lot of people singing as they zip past you in Amsterdam. Some know the tunes from their head and others sport rather fashionable ears around town..your thoughts? Unsafe or just a cool way to get into the X-Factor?
By Mel
SAIL Amsterdam 2015
From 19-23 August 2015, Amsterdam’s shores are host to an amazing event, SAIL. Sail visits Amsterdam only once every 5 years and is the largest free public event in the world. Everyone on bike, foot, car and boat gather in Amsterdam to watch this amazing spectacle. Today we wave goodbye to 600 gorgeous tall ships, heritage and naval boats and beautiful replicas from our harbours in Amsterdam. They travelled from all around the globe to be here. With huge sailing ships and local boats parading down the catwalk of the Ij waterway, fireworks each night and events all day there was a lot to see so we thought we would share it all with you.
By Mel.
Sunday park festivities
Sunshine, festivals and Sundays. What more can we say? De Parade just started in Amsterdam and its the perfect climate for cycling over to Martin Luther Kingpark and checking out this super cool travelling theatre..all the parks are full!
By Mel
Winding down
After a big Gay Pride weekend the locals are soaking up the late afternoon sun and biking home…goodnight Amsterdam.
By Mel
Snuggle up for sunset
Grab your bike and your love and head out to your favorite vista for tonight’s sunset. It’s bound to be a good one.
Summer in the city
Yes! It’s here! Summer. We only get 10 days of sunshine a year (or at least it feels like that). But when those precious days arrive, we head straight to the park with friends. Pack that portable BBQ into your bicycle crate, grab some beers and bike carefully along the cobblestones streets until you hit your favourite park.
These guys has a bike converted to a DJ sound station which happily entertained the surrounding picnic-ers, combined with their dance moves.
By Mel.
Peak hour looks a little different in Amsterdam
We all have busy lives and most of us are stuck behind the wheel on our way home from work. In Amsterdam we like to do things a little different, no matter how busy it is you can almost always guarantee the travel time will be the same. Now we can’t use that age-old excuse for why we are late! A flat tyre maybe? What other reasons could we possibly have?
By Mel.
Schools out
When I was growing up we had to wear uniforms to school. In Amsterdam these girls are super happy to display their own threads on their way home from school…with bikes to match!
By Mel.
Petitey-chic
Bumped into this little bundle of fashion zooming along in the Jordaan on a sunny Sunday afternoon..complete with Superwoman tights and freshly painted face!
Roll on the Amsterdam long weekend and sunshine!
By Mel
Daddy cool
We here at Amsterdam Cycle Chic are lucky to come across cool single articles of clothing on our locals..hip shoes, nice jacket, groovy hair.
But sometimes you come across an entire ensemble which blows your mind. This cool Papa and his daughter need a boogie nights soundtrack as they buzz along the Dutch streets.
We’re talking serious seventies fashion combinations here: beige corduroy suit, double drop earrings, and silver undercut (and top-knot), aviator spectacles and oxfords. Bam!
By Mel
Ferry fashion
Sun is out which means all the cool kids are grabbing the free ferry to the North where it’s all happening!
By Mel
Amsterdam Cycle Chic 