09. Post-extreme double-decker bikes
What it Is:
Makeshift bicycles (two bicycle frames welded together) made in small bike workshops, driven in urban, up and coming areas. Require special skills to keep balance, even getting on or off a double-decker bike is difficult.
Why it's cool:
Double decker-bikes are example of re-wilding of biking culture. In recent years (especially in the US) road biking culture became rapidly gentrified and hijacked by middle aged men in mid life crisis trying to hold on to their youth by buying super expensive carbon bikes and hanging out at coffee places with full road bike regalia (walking in public places dressed in tight bibs, jerseys and wearing biking shoes with clits). Double-deckers, as well as less extreme simple single-speed bikes and other simple and do-it-yourself or do-it-for-me bikes are the radical reaction to gentrification and geriatrisation of the biking culture.
Science of the Time’s interpretation:
This is how trends evolve: the former ones get old – geriatrised, nice term. So a new generation steps forward to new unthrodded areas. On double-decker bikes this time!
Comment by Sam on Tuesday 29 July 2008 9:24
You should check Amsterdam. Bikes like this and even more outrageous forms have been riding around here for decades… So much for a ‘new’ ‘trend