Hi, I'm studying design at London College of Fashion. I have been cycling in London for over 7 years now and have always been frustrated by the clothing available to women - either it's too girlie, too impractical or too sporty/masculine. So I've decided to base my final collection on clothing for female cyclists. I don't mean high performance gear - rather commuter gear that is both functional, comfortable, intelligent, adaptable and looks good so can be worn on the road and at work/socially ( e.g. a 'little black dress/short', for instace). I'd appreciate any thoughts/ suggestions. I have a questionnaire which I'd appreciate your feedback on - I've pasted the questions below. Please send your completed questionnaire to me at vanessasmuts@gmail.com. Thanks in advance!
Name:
Age:
Occupation:
City of residence:
When did you first learn to ride a bike?
When did you take up cycling again?
Do you cycle to work/ train station/ for fun/ fitness/ other?
What are the main advantages of cycling for you?
E.g. cost/ convenience/ environmental / journey time/ fitness/ enjoyment/ other
What is the main deterrent to cycling for you?
Road safety/ weather/ expense/comfort/ practicality' crime/ confidence/ fitness
Do you cycle all year round?
How often do you cycle?
How far do you cycle on an average journey?
1 mile/ 2 miles/ 3 miles/ 4 miles/ more
What kind of bike do you ride?
Hybrid or city bike/ racer or touring bike/ mountain bike/ fold-up bike/ fixed gear/ mens/ ladies/ old-fashioned roadster
Describe your bike.
E.g. colour, brand, saddle, accessories, age, name (?!) etc.
Where did you purchase your bike?
How much have you spent on your bike, including accessories (approximate)?
Is it important how you look on your bike?
Do you care what you wear when you cycle, or does comfort come first?
Describe what you wear when you cycle?
Are you comfortable when you cycle?
Do you own any specialist clothing items?
Rainproof jacket/ gloves,/cycle shoes/ bag/ trousers/ shorts/ vest etc. Please detail.
If so, where did you purchase these items?
Internet/ sports store/ cycle shop/dept store/ other
Do you notice what other cyclists are wearing?
Do you struggle to find suitable clothes for cycling?
What would be your ideal outfit for cycling?
What do you wear at work?
Smart/ casual – describe what you're wearing at work today
If your bike had a puncture, would you
Fix it yourself/ take it to the nearest bike shop/ get your boy/girlfriend/husband/wife/friend to repair it
That's it!
Thank you.
Vanessa
Name:
Age:
Occupation:
City of residence:
When did you first learn to ride a bike?
When did you take up cycling again?
Do you cycle to work/ train station/ for fun/ fitness/ other?
What are the main advantages of cycling for you?
E.g. cost/ convenience/ environmental / journey time/ fitness/ enjoyment/ other
What is the main deterrent to cycling for you?
Road safety/ weather/ expense/comfort/ practicality' crime/ confidence/ fitness
Do you cycle all year round?
How often do you cycle?
How far do you cycle on an average journey?
1 mile/ 2 miles/ 3 miles/ 4 miles/ more
What kind of bike do you ride?
Hybrid or city bike/ racer or touring bike/ mountain bike/ fold-up bike/ fixed gear/ mens/ ladies/ old-fashioned roadster
Describe your bike.
E.g. colour, brand, saddle, accessories, age, name (?!) etc.
Where did you purchase your bike?
How much have you spent on your bike, including accessories (approximate)?
Is it important how you look on your bike?
Do you care what you wear when you cycle, or does comfort come first?
Describe what you wear when you cycle?
Are you comfortable when you cycle?
Do you own any specialist clothing items?
Rainproof jacket/ gloves,/cycle shoes/ bag/ trousers/ shorts/ vest etc. Please detail.
If so, where did you purchase these items?
Internet/ sports store/ cycle shop/dept store/ other
Do you notice what other cyclists are wearing?
Do you struggle to find suitable clothes for cycling?
What would be your ideal outfit for cycling?
What do you wear at work?
Smart/ casual – describe what you're wearing at work today
If your bike had a puncture, would you
Fix it yourself/ take it to the nearest bike shop/ get your boy/girlfriend/husband/wife/friend to repair it
That's it!
Thank you.
Vanessa
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Re: Nothing to wear?
Thu, August 30, 2007 - 12:03 AMName: Daisy
Age: 39
Occupation: Bookkeeper
City of residence: Seattle
When did you first learn to ride a bike? as a child
When did you take up cycling again? In my mid-tweetiew
Do you cycle to work/ train station/ for fun/ fitness/ other?
all of the above
What are the main advantages of cycling for you?
E.g. cost/ convenience/ environmental / journey time/ fitness/ enjoyment/ other
all of the above, but mostly I commute because I like it.
What is the main deterrent to cycling for you?
Road safety/ weather/ expense/comfort/ practicality' crime/ confidence/ fitness
Laziness.
Do you cycle all year round?
Yes, I have been car free since 2005.
How often do you cycle?
As often as needed.
How far do you cycle on an average journey?
1 mile/ 2 miles/ 3 miles/ 4 miles/ more
yes
What kind of bike do you ride?
Hybrid or city bike/ racer or touring bike/ mountain bike/ fold-up bike/ fixed gear/ mens/ ladies/ old-fashioned roadster
A touring bike that can hold full on gear if need be.
Describe your bike.
E.g. colour, brand, saddle, accessories, age, name (?!) etc.
too long to list
Where did you purchase your bike?
Seattle
How much have you spent on your bike, including accessories (approximate)?
$4000.00 American Dollars
Is it important how you look on your bike?
no
Do you care what you wear when you cycle, or does comfort come first?
yes, but I am a very large women so there is no product out there for me to buy as they don't make cycle gear for 225 pound women.
Describe what you wear when you cycle?
work clothes or street clothes.
Are you comfortable when you cycle?
mostly. It would be nice if they made rain gear in my size though.
Do you own any specialist clothing items?
Rainproof jacket/ gloves,/cycle shoes/ bag/ trousers/ shorts/ vest etc. Please detail.
Only one thing, a safety vest. I had to order it at Ben Meadows.com for a size that fit me. I went to the surveyors equipment list and ordered a man sized garment.
If so, where did you purchase these items?
Internet/ sports store/ cycle shop/dept store/ other
online
Do you notice what other cyclists are wearing?
Yes.
Do you struggle to find suitable clothes for cycling?
all the time
What would be your ideal outfit for cycling?
Raingear.
What do you wear at work?
Smart/ casual – describe what you're wearing at work today
Casual.
If your bike had a puncture, would you
Fix it yourself/ take it to the nearest bike shop/ get your boy/girlfriend/husband/wife/friend to repair it
Fix it myself.
That's it!
Thank you.
Vanessa
