The fashion cycle

STEP into the recently opened Coast Cycles in Siglap and you would almost think you were viewing an industrial design show in a minimalist gallery. With sleek two-wheelers sitting on glossy plinths, housed within the monochromatic second floor of the shophouse space, one is tempted to ditch the roadster for a bicycle that's easy-on-the-eye (and the environment).

In recent years, bicycles have become a rarefied status symbol. Just like how driving a Mini Cooper signifies your Yummy (read "Young Urban Male") status, the kind of bike you ride is an extension of your personality and style. And while adrenaline junkies may have been hitting the trails of Bukit Timah Reserve or Pulau Ubin for years, the recent cult of hipster cyclists tends to invest in less performance-driven, and more aesthetically pleasing city bikes for getting around town.

"Cycling is definitely gaining more popularity over the years, especially city cycling," Jolyn Chua, owner of Tokyobike Singapore, a local retail offshoot for the Japanese classic city bike maker. "Three years ago, we had to educate customers on what a city bike is and how it's different from mountain and road bikes. But today, customers come into our store looking for a city bike. Sales have definitely increased at a steady pace over the past three years, despite more competition."