A skirt guard on a bicycle keeps your skirt, or coat, or child's feet from being flayed by the rear-wheel spokes.

My kids are big enough that I no longer ride them on the back of my bike, and I can't remember when I last wore a skirt and that's not just a memory problem, either. But I do commute on a bicycle, shine or rain. For rain I wear a rain parka. For heavy rain I wear a rain parka plus rain pants and overshoes.

The parka is long enough that it used to get caught in the rear spokes, which tended to mess it up.

Bicycle skirt guards are sort of under-represented on Instructables. 1lenore has a good one using tulle, which seems to be a type of fabric. I wanted something a bit sturdier.

There is now a YouTube video that is sort of a survey of Japanese skirt guard designs. Full disclosure: I did the video, and it's based on photos I took during my recent Japan trip, which came AFTER doing this instructable. If I redo my skirt guards, I think I may go smaller.

Step 1: Tools & Materials

What you need:
1 bicycle
netting material
zip ties
drill
side cutters (nippers)
metal snips (to cut the netting)
marker

Step 2: Quick Run Through

The diagrams tell the story.

I chose to have the netting ride outside the mud guard and its stays, but inside the stays for the rear luggage rack. I did not want the netting rubbing on the rear wheel or interfering with the brakes.

One thing I might point out is selecting the places for attachment points. You want the zip ties to pull the netting tight when they are snugged up, so choose attachment points accordingly.

Step 3: Details

Hold the netting material up to the wheel and mark a rough outline, leaving plenty of extra around all edges.

Rough cut the netting, making sure it is plenty big.

Position the netting and attach firmly with a couple zip ties.

Trim the netting in the places where it will ride INSIDE its attachment members. In this case that meant just above chainguard and just above the lower mudguard stay.

Select additional attachment points. Keep in mind that these points need to be close enough to the structural members that the zip ties, when closed, will bridge the gap, yet far enough so that when snugged up the ties will pull the netting. Netting does not need to be tight as a drum; that would probably distort the mudguard. But the netting should be under a bit of tension.

Bore holes in the structural members to accommodate your intended attachment points. Be careful not to bore into your tire. You can protect the tire by holding a some metal just below the mudguard when drilling.

Insert the zip ties. If you put a bend in the tail end of the zip tie, it makes it easier to thread it into its hole.

Gradually snug up the zip ties all around till the netting is looking good.

Snip off the ends of the zip ties.

Cut off the extra netting. Side cutters work well for this. I cut out around the brakes, and also made a diamond-shaped hole for the bike lock.

When one side of the wheel is done, do the other.

Step 4: Finale

In dealing with the realities of life in the big city, I've found that it is best if a bicycle does not draw attention to itself or look too good.

When the skirt guard was done, it looked awfully bright. But black and brown spray lacquer fixed that problem in a couple minutes and blended in well with the overall uglification program.

Skirt guard is done. Don long clothing; ride safely.