Tamaki Drive

Yesterday I became very depressed after reading the Herald comments on the tragic bicycling accident last Saturday.

“Cyclists are dangerous and shouldn’t be allowed on the roads”

• Surely, if you took cyclist off the roads the accident rate would remain high; if you took the cars off the road the accident rate would plummet.

“Cyclists should pay road user charges or stay off the roads”

• Most cyclists also own cars; therefore, by choosing to make some trips by bicycle, which reduces the wear and tear on the roads, it could be argued that they should get a rebate on their road charges.

“Cyclist should not be allowed on Auckland roads as they are not safe to do so”

• Given that the accident rate for pedestrians is higher than for bicycles, does that mean that we should not allow pedestrians either? Auckland is going to be a very lonely and desolate place!

The comments clearly display the bigoted car-centric perspective of many new Zealanders (the NZ media reports were no better). I seriously contemplated a return to Europe.

However, after the remedial effects of a hot bath and a glass of red wine I realised that it really wasn’t their fault – the comments were prompted by ignorance. Over the last few decades the governments, city councils and town planners have engineered this ignorance by marginalising and inciting a fear of cycling through actions such as compulsory helmet laws and a lack of cycling infrastructure. At the same time car driving is promoted by allowing children (15 is the legal driving age in NZ) to get behind the wheel; creating houses that give the same quality of accommodation to cars and family members; and designing facilities such as shopping areas, suburbs and a Harbour Bridge that can be reached and navigated only by car.

These same powers wish to promote NZ as a cycle tourism destination (word to the wise: the internet makes the world a very small place) and are prescribing a ‘share with care’ solution to the problems that we now have. But this will not overcome the ignorance clearly evident in the Herald comments. To make ‘share with care’ work we need to get more people on their bicycles. Drivers understand pedestrians because when they get out of their cars they too are pedestrians, but if only very few drivers cycle, cyclist will remain an unknown race that incites prejudice in car drivers.

So how do we get more people on their bicycles? ... We woo them. We show them that cycling is stylish, fun, good for you, and just down right sexy!!

We get on our bicycles and ride …

Glendowie Bicycle club and Frocks on Bikes have arranged a Spring Tweed Ride along Tamaki Drive this Saturday (3^rdOctober). This is an ideal opportunity to show your support for the victims of this tragic accident, demonstrate that cycling is here to stay, and encourage others to get on their bicycles. Please join us, at either Bike Central in the City at 1.30pm, or Reef Bar in Mission Bay at 2.30pm.

Frocks Day Out - Finale!

I had so many fabulous shots from the Frocks Day Out that it has taken me quite a while to get them all on the blog, but this is the last ... until next year!


I bumped into Murray on the waterfront on Sunday and he expressed consternation at not having his picture on the Frocks Day Out posts ... so here is Murray, resplendent in his yellow frock!!


I am very impressed that this lady rode her bicycle in that skirt - I still don't know how!


Fabulous print here and a slightly 'biker chick' look going on with the denim!


Gorgeous riding outfit and tres nice pannier


Mental note - I want some of those lace undergarments!! ... and red shoes!


A little peep of the 3/4 leggings under the frock was a popular choice for warding off the inclement weather


We've got to get some more frock-appropriate bicycles in NZ - it's a miracle that lovely fabric didn't end up in the 'wheel stuff' behind the saddle.


Winner of the most frockiliciously decorated bicycle - the fragrance from the Jasmin was delightful!


Just plain lovely original bicycle with skirt guard and wicker basket, and the rider really looked the part. This skirt guard has inspired me to fashion one for my own bicycle - I'll let you know how it goes!


Yours truly on the right, with my Giant Cypress (in desperate need of a skirt guard), and Pippa, my co-coordinator of Frocks on Bikes, on the left with her Velorbis.

The hat actually stood up rather well to the weather and is still in good shape, butterflies and all!

Frocks Day Out - Frock fun!

The Frocks day out was FUN!!

Friends got together

Families had a great day out together

Couples coordinated beautifully together

And then there were the gentlemen that got in touch with their feminine sides ...

I actually followed this 'lady' for some time before she turned around and I realised that she was not a natural blond!

The tikki tikki riders were very good value and really got into the spirit of things

And of course the 'Tasmanian Devil' man and I are old friends - nice skirt!

This little pink number was a crowd favourite, I think

And of course some were in a league of their own!!

Frocks Day Out - Frockabulous gents!

For months I have been unable to catch a gentleman cyclist in a suit, and then ....


Not only a suit but a white suit!! AND a red bow tie in the same shot!


This gentleman won a spot prize in the 'best dressed' category for ... well everything actually!


I even captured him in motion ... on a Penny Farthing no less


Cool, just plain cool!


A very stylish gent who definitely knows how to wear a scarf - very European!


These two were magnificent in red with their own individual methods of keeping the rain off - what rain??? The umbrella was actually attached to the bicycle!


And another suit .... and check out that bike - you can't see it in the picture but it's a lovely restoration job.

Frocks Day Out - Frockettes!

Following are a selection of the younger members of the Frock flock ...


This young gentleman received a spot prize for his Frockilicious 'bicycle decoration' - given that there was perhaps more decoration than bicycle, this award seemed truly deserved!


Another prize winner - spot prize in the Frockilicious helmet adornment category. The disco balls and a tinsel wig were an inspired choice, but the clincher was the furry dice at the back!


The classic little black dress, leggings, shoes, bicycle ....


Dress, cardy, head scarf and 'face' all matched beautifully!


Coordinating Frocker flower power - say that six times fast!

Frocks Day Out - Frocktastic!

I have no particular grouping for these photos, they are just a bunch of fabulous Frocked up ladies!

In my defense, I have just spent the best part of the day (since 6am) manning (or Frocking!) the Frocks 'picnic in the park' in celebration of Park(ing) day and I have sugar overload from too many cakes and bikkies.


Very nice velvet dress teamed with pink fishnets and highly optimistic 'sun' glasses!


I wish I had read the caption on this outfit - I bet it's funny.


If you've spotted that the three ladies above are all standing next to the same bicycle, well done! And thank you to who ever the bicycle belongs too - they had just parked their bicycles in the very full bike racks (yes, I know, I heard someone say that it almost looked like Copenhagen!) and it just seemed too hard to get them out.


This is a picture of the ladies' actual bicycles ...


Embroidery and hosiery matching blending in with bicycle rims - it's a cyclist thing!



This lady won the most Frockilicious helmet adornment prize and had a very nice 'green machine'!


Again with the sunglasses - did I miss something? Maybe they are just adding that air of mystery to that very nice velvet coat.


Tres nice blue ensemble and a close contender for the helmet award - missed out by a whisker - I'm a sucker for sequins!

If you would like to be kept in the loop about upcoming Frocks on Bikes events, contact Frocks on Bikes at frocksonbikes.aucks@gmail.com

Frocks Day Out - Footwear

There was a variety of footwear approaches taken by Frockers to the less than inspiring weather conditions on Saturday.

There was the practical (and yet surprisingly stylish) gum boot response ...


Perhaps the rainbow socks were intended to encourage the sun to make an appearance through the clouds!


I 'spotted' these on a young lady with a flower power thing going on


Spots were obviously 'in', as were fishnets - here we have a very fine juxtaposed example of both!


These feet are mine. I had planned to wear a nice little pair of peach satin heels that went with the frock, but (sensibly) chickened out and opted for Doc Martins at the last minute!

A few of the Frock flock braved the soggy grass and bravely went with plan A


Grey to match the skies!!


Classic - fishnets and black heels!


Holes - now that's a stalwart response to rain!


Nice compromise here - heeled boots, there's probably a pair of woolly socks inside!!


And again - stylish yet dry

If you would like to be kept in the loop about upcoming Frocks on Bikes events, contact Frocks on Bikes at frocksonbikes.aucks@gmail.com

Frocks Day Out - Frockilicious!

It was not a promising start to the Frocks on Bikes'

Frocks Day Out ...


Regular downpours somewhat dampened our "Hello Spring"!


But the weather improved and the glitterati started to emerge ...


Spot prize winner for 'most sparkly'


Beautifully coordinated bicycle and dress ensemble.


Very European look here, I thought


Great attention to detail - pink fishnets (to match the bicycle) and a bicycle brooch


Winner of 'Best dressed', and the only person to accessorise with a passenger on the rear rack!

If you would like to be kept in the loop about upcoming Frocks on Bikes events, contact Frocks on Bikes at frocksonbikes.aucks@gmail.com