A summit for bike culture in New York

Here is some news in the world of bike culture. A summit on the topic, help in two weeks in New York City.

Transportation Alternatives (TA), one of North America’s leading walk/bike/transit advocacy groups is organizing an evening panel discussion with a local blogger, an historian and an activist (TA’s own).

The pannel will apparently be discussing, among other things, the controversies that have arisen within the bike community and the broader bike culture including: cycling’s public personal, safety over style, protected bike lanes or shared roads, Critical Mass, and sexism in the cycling community. Should be a wild ride!

Wish I could go… maybe I’ll just hop on the cheap but 12-hour train from Montreal to get there.

Please comment with your reviews of the event.

May 6th, 7pm
NYU’s Wasserman Center Auditorium, 133 E. 13th Street, 2nd floor

The Social Experience of Bicycling Together

While commuting is not exactly the most cultural activity, a utilitarian use of bicycles can be used to bring people together and express their common — or newfound — love for cycling. One of the many ways to define culture is, “the attitudes and behavior that are characteristic of a particular social group or organization.”

There is something beautiful in riding together: perhaps it is the shared sense of freedom and invigoration one receives from riding. Riding together, you are more likely to get noticed, and take up cultural space. And although neon yellow is not exactly a pinnacle of aesthetics, there is something remarkable about it, just as a neon fast-food sign lights up a grey street.

Bicycling together has a sense of common cultural experience like being at a concert, theatre or public demonstration. The beauty of riding together, however, has a more active quality to it. The rider is not just taking in the sights like on a guided tour of downtown, you are the driver and passenger all in one.

In places like Australia and Italy, a new social phenomenon has sprung up call Bike Bus. It looks and feels like club ride or a critical mass, but its for commuting purposes. Not only to people get to work or school invigorated, but they get the experience of riding together.

Check out their Website

The city of Reggio Emilia, in Tuscony, Italy, has begun a project to get people riding together early. Not only early in the day, but as young people. The innovative BiciBus program, started in 2007, now takes 380 children to and from 10 schools by riding in groups lead by a volunteer teacher, parent or grandparent. What better way to get kids into the bike culture than by starting them off early.

Check out BiciBus’ Italian Website