Cycling mask fad now epidemic in Hong Kong.

First it was woks on heads, then dogs in foods, now it’s hankies on mouths as China leads the way in yet another fashion first - writes Elgin Saddle.

For years mocked pointedly and pointingly laughed at by boys from schools for being the “heinous” height of bad cool, it looks like the cyclist’s facemask has become this year’s must-have top “bling” thing to put on your face-hole, if you’re a Chinese.

But what if you’re not? While in all corners of the city known both as Kong and also Hong peoples there are looking all hip, short and funky in their fancy facemasks and chunky trainers, what about the rest of us, here in the civilized world?

Don’t worry me old China – Idiotica can confirm that “bicycle chic” is already spreading to other parts of our big globe, yes, a bit like that disease Sars.

IN CANADA the Canadians that live there seem to be almost breathless with enthusiasms about the idea and it’s only a matter of time until they start tying their napkins onto their jutting chins. Last week Celine Dion was seen in a fetching pair of trouser-clips, while Dawson van der Creek has been spotted carrying what’s thought to be a bicycle pump in his pants.

Meanwhile right here in England’s trendy big LONDON we’ve seen one chap wearing a mask right outside our Beak Street offices. Admittedly he was doing some welding at the time, but it is possible he was making a bicycle.