Tips for Riding a Bike in a Skirt or Dress

For an Updated Version of this great blog post go to How to Safely Ride a Bike in a Skirt or Dress

While we think that no one should be intimidated by their wardrobe, riding a bike in a skirt does raise some legitimate concerns. If you bike to work and need to look dressy, you may feel resigned to pantsuits forever, but biking in skirts and dresses is actually pretty simple if you just take a few precautions. Here’s some good rules to keep your modesty- and your outfit- intact while you wheel down the roads.

A Lengthy Discussion:

 

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Length is a big concern when riding a bike in a skirt or dress. The biggest concern here is safety, not modesty- and safety becomes an issue with too long or too full skirts. Ideally stay about knee-length or shorter; though if the skirt is slim and flexible, a midi-length can work, too. The bulk of maxi skirts or long full skirts can mean that they will find their way into your wheels. If you are determined to wear a long skirt, we suggest tying it into a knot while you’re riding to keep it out of the wheel.

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In terms of shorter skirts, remember that wearing leggings or hot pants underneath is always an option. In general, fuller skirts like circle skirts and a-lines won’t ride up much, but tighter skirts with any spandex or stretch to them will creep up. Miniskirts can actually work surprisingly well, since their already about the ride-up point, but you may want to pair them with leggings or thick tights.

Flashing Signs:

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There are a few good ways to avoid accidentally flashing your panties while riding a bike in a skirt. As mentioned above, hot pants or a short pair of biking shorts are a great way to cycle without worrying about it. There are also products like Bikie Girl Bloomers that have shorts built in to work appropriate skirts. Another clever option is to ride with a small weight on the hem of the skirt, such as a standard office binder clip, to keep your skirt down.

The most important advice to avoid flashing, however, is skip wrap skirts! While adorable, these are tricky enough to keep closed while you’re standing up; while biking, one gust of wind can lead to a larger audience than you’d prefer to see your “TGIF” undies. If you simply must wear a wrap, pin the open sides together with a safety pin or two before embarking, then remove at your destination.

Keep it Clean, Ladies:

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With these simple guidelines, riding a bike in a skirt is easier than you can imagine. Whether you’re headed to work, a picnic with friends, or a biking date, you can rest assured your skirt is both safe and simple to handle on your bike.