The possibilities of our future are endless and as the world gets warmer, it is paramount that people go greener. When it comes to travel, the good ol’ 2 wheeler is tough to beat and its appeal… is certainly not lost.

Italia Veloce’s Bicycle Couture Lets You Go Green in Style

The bijou Parma bike shop, Italia Veloce, was founded by architect Massimo Chiapponi in 2009, with fellow “retro-velo” enthusiasts, Christian Gande, a multidisciplinary designer and Max Rabaglia, an advertising executive.

Once an auto-electrician garage from his childhood, Chiapponi decidedly put his profession to process, designing the shop’s ground-floor showroom. There, the brand displays a selection of its very own handmade bikes, vintage cycling kits and a club-like seating area for guests. Maintaining elements from the space’s garage history, Chiapponi preserved its original iron-cast spiral staircase – which now leads to in-house mechanic, Davide Cavalli’s stylish workshop. The man behind the workshop’s organized mess, specializes in leatherwork, welding, fabric, and design. His work is shipped as far as Japan, New Zealand and the United States.

Comprising of six ultra-sleek models, the Italia Veloce line-up includes the minimalist Magnifica and Audace both worth €2,900, the Ruggente street cruiser worth €2,800, as well as, the Futura, Rebel, and the Folgore.

With a handmade frame and brushed visible joints, the Magnificent (Magnifica) represents maximum Italian canvas tradition and craftsmanship. Made from steel, the handlebar is pointed into an arrow shape, incorporating crank period pieces restored and polished by hand. Completed with a Brooks Swallow B15 saddle and medium-profile aluminium rims, the Magnificent is a distinctive sign of exclusivity.

Create for travel, the Audace (also known as the Bold), is rich in characterizing elements. Featuring a Campagnolo Veloce gearbox, central draft brakes, handmade frame and racing handlebar covered in directly stitched leather, the Bold is a monumental recreation of the 50s. Offering users confidence and comfort even in wet conditions, the bike comes with a matching cork-stopper bottle, with cages mounted on its pedals and classic front and rear lights for safe travel without compromising the sleek sporty style.

The Ruggente (also known as the Roaring Italy Fast), is a timeless classic with handmade frames and visible brushed joints. Its cruiser handlebars are installed with wooden knobs. Featuring characteristic reverse brake levers, central draft front and rear brakes, a Brooks tail light and front wheel, made exclusively by hand at the Italia Veloce workshop. The Ruggente is an object of timeless class, completed with a Brooks B17 saddle and a vintage-style crankset for comfortable and safe urban use.

With over 200 colours to choose from, each bike takes an estimate week to a month to be completed and delivered with a receipt stating its official frame number, build number and build date. The bikes are customisable and re-customisable, with separate parts such as riding gloves, racing toe-clips and pedals sold for as little as €50-€220. Whoever said saving the earth wasn’t was chic, never rode an original Italia Veloce creation.