Calling all bike messengers, pedi-cab drivers, mountain bikers, BMXers, bike polo players, Para Olympians, track racers, frame builders, delivery boys, bike gangs, pedal-pushing commuters and clowns on unicycles who play the ukulele:The New York Bicycle Film Festival wants everyone on wheels to forget their differences for five days and come together to celebrate the joy of peddling, however, wherever and on whatever you choose to ride (but try to make it this classy).
The festival is presented in fourteen programs featuring films from around the world, including the premiere of “Where Are You Go,” which follows the world’s longest bicycle race, Tour d’ Africa (four months, 7,000 miles). “Made in Queens,” and “The Third Wheel,” a documentary about the pedi-cab industry in NYC, bring the festival a little closer to home. “SixtyCycle” -- a song composed entirely from samples of bicycle parts in motion -- and “Thoughts on My Bike,” -- animated watercolor paintings intended to capture the thoughts of one cyclist -- will make your bicycle fanaticism pale in comparison.
Joyride, an art exhibit inspired by bicycles, urban environments and travel in general, is hosted by multiple galleries throughout the city. The curators recommend viewing the show, of course, by riding your bike from gallery to gallery.
The event gets rolling Wednesday night at the South Street Seaport with a free concert by the Jon Spencer Blues Explosion and The Teenagers. Each night during the festival bond with your fellow cyclists over a can of PBR at the festival’s after parties (Studio B, Public Assembly and others to be announced.)
Saturday the Bike Parade and Street Party on 2nd Avenue gives festival goers a chance to show off their own rides -- “bikes in every shape” are welcome.
