A decade ago, there was much talk of the bike ride supplanting the golf course as the place where deals got done. Certainly, there’s the opportunity for deeper interactions between men, side by side on the open road, chewing up the kilometres. But this isn’t that. This is when you’re late for a meeting, the trains are delayed, the traffic is at a standstill and now you’re starting to panic. And there happens to be a free Lime bike discarded right there in your path. And bib shorts are the last thing you want to think about.

“Even when I do long rides, I cannot bring myself to wear Lycra,” says the director Johno Verity. “I only ever ride for transport and enjoyment. So, if I’m not racing anyone, then I’d rather be in clothing that, once I step off the bike, I don’t feel like a dork [in].”

You might know Verity as the guy on a bike (and in a pink hat) who pops up on your Instagram feed with interesting facts about London in videos usually shot at the crack of dawn. He describes his style as: “jumpers, shorts and jeans with hints of BMXer and geography teacher”. The signature hat he landed on by accident. “On one of the first videos that did well, I grabbed my wife’s hat heading out of the door. I liked the look, so I ran with it.”

Verity is not the only everyday cyclist with a very distinctive look. Lauren Cochrane, senior fashion writer for The Guardian and author of The Ten, notes the main sartorial directions that more casual bike riders often take when going from A to B. “It’s either Timothée Chalamet and Tom Hiddleston in suits, which is very commuter on a Tube strike day, or JFK Jr and Harry Styles in sweatshirts and shorts,” she says. “I like the functionality here – either it’s about comfort or about getting where you’re going. In Chalamet’s case, a film premiere.”

“There are lots of things to consider,” says the designer (and cyclist) Oliver Spencer about getting dressed to ride a bike. “Weather, destination, time of day. But the aim is always the same: to look as good getting off the bike as you did getting on it. I’ve never believed practicality and style should exist separately.”

Cycling has long been a core tenet of Oliver Spencer’s collections. This includes collaborations with the fold-up bike maker, Brompton.

“London is home for me and it constantly feeds the way I think about clothes,” Spencer says. “Every Londoner knows that the quickest and most reliable way to get around the city is on two wheels. City life demands versatility – something that works on the bike, in the studio, at dinner, in a meeting. My approach has always lived somewhere between tailoring and utility, so naturally cycling influences the design process: durability, ease of movement, shape, silhouette. And, of course, pockets.”

“It’s important to not be wearing anything too tight, making sure you are comfortable, but that you aren’t restricted,” says Kit Swann, MR PORTER Fashion Editor. “A wide-leg trouser is perfect for when you need to be presentable for meetings but allows plenty of movement when peddling. Worried about them being too long? Look to JFK Jr and go for a tuck into the top of the sock to save the bottoms getting caught in a greasy chain.”

“If I’m doing a really long road ride then I have been known to wear padded cycle shorts under my regular shorts,” Verity says.

“More than anything, though, fabric is key,” Spencer says. “You want something breathable, but robust enough to take a bit of punishment.”

“Cotton canvas would be a good shout,” Swann says. “It’s tougher than wool, so would add protection if one were to fall off. Scuffs and grazes on workwear trousers look cool – it adds to the aesthetic without looking bedraggled.”

Then there’s the technical innovation that Gorpcore has ushered into the man’s wardrobe.

“The rise of outdoor and performance clothing has blurred the lines between technical wear and everyday dressing in a really positive way,” Spencer says. “Running, cycling and outdoor culture have pushed practicality into the mainstream. As a result, men have become much more confident experimenting with how they dress. Performance no longer looks overly technical or niche – it’s just become part of the modern wardrobe.”

Swann highlights another brand that has picked up this theme. “Aimé Leon Dore has embraced the vintage sport aesthetic in recent years, featuring sports such as football, skiing and more recently, cycling,” he says. “Its knitted cycling tops often sell out straight away. It’s very interesting pairing a tighter-fitting sports top with a relaxed suit or wide-leg pleated trousers.”

What else should a cyclist always carry with them? “The two essentials are a helmet and a Leatherman [multitool],” Spencer says. “Beyond that, layering is important. London weather changes its mind every half hour, so having pieces you can throw on or strip off easily is invaluable. A lightweight waterproof, a denim overshirt and good sunglasses should do.”

“Sunglasses are a must, rain or shine,” Swann says. “The added benefit of having the shield over your eyes is that it protects you from oncoming bugs or tree pollen, both of which are on the rise as we approach warmer weather.”

The stylish cyclist on Spencer’s mood board? “Bill Cunningham,” he says, nodding to The New York Times’ iconic fashion photographer. “Effortless, practical, completely authentic. His camera and his bicycle were an integral part of his life.”

Swap that SLR for a 360-degree selfie stick and you’re good to go.