Sawako Q&A: Melissa from Holland Bikes
Bonjour! Bienvenue to Sawako Q&As.
Today's guest is lovely Melissa from Holland Bikes in Paris.
Holland Bike has been working with us a several years now as our distributor in France, spreading Sawako products all over France, partnering with a number of local bike shops along the way.
For instance, Sawako's exciting appearance at Bon Marche in Paris a few years ago was their work.
This friendly shop is now offering bike tours in several locations. Visit their shop when you are in France next time!
Now let's find out Melissa's cycling style.
What kind of cyclist are you? Sporty/commuter/weekend/beginner etc.
I ride my bike every single day, to get around, to go to work etc…but for me my bike isn’t a sport, it’s a way of getting around.
Which lifestyle brands are you following at the moment?
I like the French brand Sezane for its style. Concerning bikes, in addition to Sawako, I follow the brand Basil which offers nice and practical bike accessories.
Tell us about your business and why you started it. What are your core values?
We sell, repair and rent real Dutch Bikes in France. Our core value is to share the Dutch way of life an introduce it to the French market. We wish to inspire people to use their bikes instead of public transport or cars.
Besides your business, what is your passion?
I love travelling and discovering the nature that the world has to offer us. I usually manage to integrate my passion for bikes into my passion of travelling.
As a woman in a male dominated industry, what is your role in inspiring other women to cycle?
Although the industry is dominated by men, I don’t think that biking is dominated by men. We try to choose bikes and accessories that can be practical and trendy in order to respond to female buyers.
What would you say is the difference between cycle chic and cycle geek?
For me cycle chic is about fashion. Cycle chic is when you have classy accessories to match your bike.
Cycle geek on another hand is more practical. It is more about the technology to use on your bike and the connected accessories that you can add.
Where’s your favourite place to pedal?
My favorite place is in Nice, my hometown.
What was your first bike?
My first real bike was an Old Dutch from the Dutch brand Batavus.
Black croc, leopard or glitter?
My favorite one is the Leo !
If you could cycle anywhere in the world where would it be?
Ocean road, Melbourne, Australia.
Tell us your secret cycling style tip.
I like to change accessories quite often on my bike. When I change one item, like my bell for example, I make sure that all my accessories match.
For almost each season I have a display of accessories. Here were my accessories last few months :
Autumn : the collection Black Katharina from Basil (bag+ saddle cover) + Sawako Madison Black
Winter : the collection Sawako Leo (helmet + bell) + the blue bag Basil Portland business women
Spring/Summer : the collection Indigo Boheme from Basil (bag/bell/saddle cover) + the helmet Sawako Furuno Leo
What's on your cycling soundtrack?
It depends on my mood but for sure you will find the song Train from Thylacine.
Thank you, Melissa!
www.hollandbikes.com
4 fois vainqueur du Grand Prix des Vélos de Ville
Adresse : 24, Rue Firmin Gillot, 75015 Paris, France
Tel : 01 48 42 11 11