Upright cycling! Is there more to it?

Riding an upright bicycle feels totally different than riding a bicycle that requires the rider to bend forward. 

First of all, the number one myth related to upright bicycles is that these bicycles are slow. Either navigating inside a town/city or suburb areas, an upright bicycle isn't slower than any other bike, it is just more comfortable.

I always support that it is not the bicycle that makes the rider but it is the rider that makes the bicycle! 

If you tend to ride in smaller gears, you will be riding slowly, no matter if using a mountain bike, a racing bike or an upright bicycle. 

When first starting to commute by bicycle it is natural to be kind of slow, but after giving it some time, your endurance will improve, your legs will get stronger, you will start to ride on higher gears and you will improve your commuting times day after day. When first starting to use a bicycle for transportation, most of the people, at least in European cities, choose to buy an upright bicycle and when these people ride their bicycles and see that the other cyclists overtake them, they then blame the bicycle. But in reality it is not the bicycle, it is just a coincidence. They must first build some endurance and they will become faster cyclists themselves overtime. 

Is there more to upright cycling?

Upright cycling isn't slow as I stated above, it is just more comfortable. You are being able to ride with a straight back, which feels more relaxing. Additionally you can see better, as the upright position is the natural position of a human being, and because you are higher off the ground you get to see above cars too (which for me really is a plus, for obvious reasons!)

Also, by using an upright bicycle, you do not have to sacrifice your style and wear cycling appropriate clothing, but your everyday normal clothes are just fine. No wrinkles from bending over! Upright cycling is no different than sitting in a chair! (You have to look presentable for work.)

But the most important thing of all is that with upright cycling you're looking good too! Now, before starting to object and argue about not caring for the looks, let me explain this part a little bit.

- What we cyclists want more?

-  Being safe and free when moving around the city. 

- Why it isn't safe right now?

-  Because there are many cars and little of us.

- What if it was the other way around? Wouldn't be safer? 

- Yes.

- How will the number of cyclists increase? 

- By making cycling more desirable to other people and by decreasing the convenience of car usage.

- How will cycling become more desirable?

- By looking good.

Exactly! This is the first bate. 

It may not be the primary goal, as cycling has a lot more to offer to a city (cleaner environment, more space for the citizens and for planting trees, etc.) Also, people on bicycles are feeling more proud of their stamina, good health, and lively energy, than if they are looking good when riding an upright bicycle or not. 

Us humans, do not forget though, that we are more visual types. To open our minds to a new approach we have to visualize it first. Most people relate bicycle riding as something that will need a lot of effort and that will make them tired, sweaty and late to work. By riding an upright bicycle and sitting up straight, we are looking good and we are more attractive that way to non cyclists. We are the given example to them of how it is to ride a bicycle for transportation.

I believe the marketing behind promoting cycling into the cities is all wrong, because it only emphasizes the positive impact bicycles have to the environment.

People care about the environment, but not many are willing to "sacrifice" their attractiveness for it.  As swallow as it sounds, it is true. 

I strongly support that the key marketing for promoting cycling into the cities is to make it attractive to the people who do not ride a bicycle and the only way we can achieve that is by looking good while doing it, and we make it look good with upright cycling!

Do you believe bicycle advocates should highlight the fact how good people that ride upright bicycles look, as well? 

Do you think it will attract more non cyclists into cycling?