Originally Posted by
Loose Chain
I think some less "flamboyant" cycling clothing would also help. There are a lot of guys out there who are not going to participate in a sport that requires bright colored lycra due to certain perceptions that began coming to the fore circa early 90s.
Cycling is often referred to as a "sport" and that is a problem as well, yes, it is an amazing sport but people who ride for transportation may not see themselves as sporting or as bieng involved in a sport, it is simply a means of getting from a A to B for them....
Dunno about frame materials, it's beyond my pay grade, but I agree about the 'less "flamboyant" cycling clothing.' Cycling shorts are functional and usually black. Swobo makes a wool cycling jersey in black and available at discount retailers online for only $45. Wabi in Portland, OR makes a great old time 'heirloom quality' wool jersey. These are not flamboyant and are functional.
I've ordered some Dromarti leather cycling shoes. Hardly cheap, but at least they won't 'look' flamboyant. I don't mean to get the helmet thread started and won't respond here even if provoked, but the current helmet fad discourages some potential riders with its implicit 'cycling is dangerous and elitist.'