I don’t really consider myself fashionable in any sense but I can appreciate other peoples’ sincere attempts to keep up with what’s chic, especially in the bike world. And recently I have noticed an explosion of colour and design taking place.

This world of uncomfortable saddles and high maintenance paint jobs is something that lately has rather taken my attention away from the standard questions on spec.

I’ve been musing over the new bikes out there such as the Bianchi Pista via brera, a beautiful urban fixed gear from the reputable Italian bike maker, and then there is the Batavus Bub bizarrely designed around an office doodle of a paperclip! And talking of office stationery, there is the beautiful Paper bicycle designed by a Scotsman; it’s minimalist, it’s unisex – and it’s not made of paper before you ask!

It’s actually inappropriately named so it sticks in your head. But the bike that really caught my attention when offered in limited numbers was the Chanel Bike – a completely pointless £6,000 up-the-spout for what can only be described as a city bike with quilting.

Not surprisingly, other designers have since followed the fashion house and revealed ludicrous bikes that require a full time security guard if you ever feel like taking them out of the trophy cabinet.

In my opinion you don’t have to spend a fortune to be a chic cyclist. There are the new wave of fixed wheel riders who customise their rides (sadly for their wallets what they save on gearing they spend on colour matching). But I absolutely love these bikes; whether its primary colours or neon that takes your fancy you are always guaranteed an individual ride.

Starting with a vintage road or track frame, well actually nearly any frame with horizontal drop outs, these bikes are then built with design vision and one goal in mind – speed.

The people that ride them rave about their performance being enhanced by the lack of a freewheel.

Then there are those who don’t hurry through the city but like to take things leisurely; these people have handmade baskets and plastic flowers to brighten up shopping time.

This movement is what the Europeans are referring to as utility cycling and many bikes are appearing that are as fashionable as the young things riding them.

So just recently I was very pleased to read on the internet Mecca of cycle chic copenhagencyclechic.com that my new project is actually the height of fashion.

Yes, strangely the vintage Mini bike which emerged in the 50’s is now cult.

These are the original folding bikes with just one point to fold on a hinged frame, adjustable seat post and quick release handle bars.

They didn’t have the ingenuity of the Brompton folding bikes but you could at least get them in the boot of your 1960’s Mini.

I recently took possession of not one but two vintage mini bikes courtesy of a farmer who was having a good clear out and I plan to breathe new life into them.

I know I will get some strange looks when I take them out for the first time but I will be safe in the knowledge that I am riding what can only be described as the height of cycle chic.

It’s just the rest the of Oxford doesn’t realise it yet...