Cycling In The Cities: Riding In Style

Londoners are so chic! I was poking around on other cycling blogs and stumbled upon some of the coolest cycling gear I've ever seen. They approach biking in a much different fashion than Americans. They actually dress up in suits and dresses and heels… and ride! The helmets, panniers and purses aren't utilitarian like most you find here in the states. A website called Cyclechic has me ooing, ahhing and I-want-that-ing. Check out some of the coolest things I want:

Legwarmers with reflective fabric woven in?! Who knew they could be cool again.

Kitschy oilcloth panniers that become a cute bag when they pop off your bike rack.

And this is my favorite: Is it a hat or a helmet? It's both! You can buy other hats to change it up. That's what I call a shut-the-front-door, cool idea!

Things as pretty as these just make biking seem more enjoyable. And I just realized there's a sister store in the states called The Bicycle Muse. Oh boy. Guess who's going shopping…

Angela Keegan Benson is the Assistant News Director at WCCO-TV and a mother of two. On August 1, 2011 she began her quest to live one full year as a bike commuter. Follow along as she figures out how to mesh the cycling culture with the demands of parenthood and an affinity for 4-inch heels. And yes, she's committed to sticking it out through February storms. For more Cycling In The Cities, follow @Angela_Keegan on Twitter.