I can feel your concern from miles away so let me remind you of a few simple
Rules for Manly Mixte Riding:
1. Only use in town or for commuting. Never take a mixte out on training rides (come on! you have lots of bikes to choose from) 2. Wear street clothes or a business suit when riding. (Better yet, borrow tweeds from your 3-speed friends and make a fashion statement) If you ride a mixte in tight fitting bike wear, you will be sending the wrong signals.
3. Wear street shoes or sneakers (NOT loud bike shoes ... unless you want to draw attention to yourself)
4. Mount & dismount as you would a regular bike. (this should be obvious)
5. If you wear a helmet, take it off immediately after dismounting. And put in in your basket (the basket should not have a flower pattern)
6. Don't wear earings! Not on your right ear and not on your left. (Too many baby boomers will get the wrong idea)
Commuted safely a Peugeot mixte on-and-off for 35 years ... until the frame cracked.
Amir Avitzur
R"G Israel