Inspired by bicycle messengers and racers, a new group of Western youths are jetting through the city streets on fixed-gear bicycles. Now, the trend is gaining momentum on the streets of China.
A fixed-gear bike is a bicycle whose pedals rotate at all times, even when coasting. To stop, riders must pedal in reverse, which differs from road bikes. Due to their efficiency, they offer riders a new cycling perspective. Many young people use them as an alternative mode of transportation and as a leisure activity.
Reliable and cool
Fixies not only are more economical to purchase and easy to maintain than geared bikes, but also possess a sleek appearance. These qualities appeal to youths lacking time and money but wanting to find cool ways to navigate cities.
Apart from their reliability, fixed-gear bikes make cycling cool. “Most people choose public transportation to visit places, but what I usually do is certainly out of the ordinary.”
More than a trend
A graduate student at University of Hong Kong was introduced to this type of bicycle during her sophomore year. She opened a fixie shop in Hong Kong, which her staff maintains in her absence. She sees riding fixies as a lifestyle choice rather than a trend.
“When we are riding, we have the opportunity to look around and discover. It is not only a form of transportation, but a way of life,” said she. “We burn calories instead of fuel, and the energy we utilize brings us to a better place.”
受到自行車郵遞員和自行車賽車手的啟發,西方國家一些年輕人流行騎著固定齒輪自行車(又名死飛)在城市的街道間飛速穿梭?,F在,這一熱潮正在中國的街頭蔓延。
固定齒輪自行車是一種需要人一直不停地踩的自行車,即使在滑行時也要一直踩。與公路賽車不同,死飛在剎車時需要人向后蹬踏板。因其高效,死飛為騎行者帶來新的騎行前景,許多年輕人將其作為一種另類的出行方式或是休閑活動。
可靠又酷炫
死飛經濟實惠,比(活動)齒輪自行車更易保養,還擁有優美的外形。對于那些時間有限、囊中羞澀卻還想以炫酷的方式在城市穿梭的年輕人而言,死飛的這些特點正合心意。
除了可靠性,死飛這種固定齒輪自行車也讓騎行變得更酷,“大多數人都會選擇公共交通工具去旅行觀光,但是我卻喜歡不走尋常路?!?/p>
趨勢之外
香港大學的一名畢業生在大二時接觸到這種自行車。于是就在香港開了一家死飛店,并雇了員工在她不在時打理生意。她認為死飛不僅是一種流行時尚,更是一種生活方式的選擇。
她說:“騎行讓我們有機會四處游覽、不斷發現。這不只是一種交通方式,更是一種生活方式,我們不燒汽油卻燃燒了卡路里,并將我們帶去更好的地方?!?/p>