// BICYCLE: People + Ideas in Motion
Posted on Friday, October 9th, 2009
Bicycling Magazine has a great photo essay about BICYCLE: People + Ideas in Motion, which is a group of exhibits and community events, that’s happening in Philly right now for just a few more days (it’s been going on since June).
In reviewing the photos, I felt a weird sort of connection to every cyclist, past, present, and future. It was sort of like visiting one of those family tree websites, like Ancestry.com–but instead of plugging in my parents last names and finding out that there’s little record of my family history, I plugged in the word “cyclist” and was reunited with my true family. I realize that I might sound a little bit nuts, but it’s true!
There’s something special about the cycling community, and this collection of exhibits and events proves it. I dare you to try and look at the photos in the photo essay and not feel some kind of nostalgia for the old-style bikes, even if you never rode one. Just picture yourself rolling down the street with your front wheel nearly as tall as you are!
Fast forward to the present, with single speed riding hipsters and messenger bags. Bicycles are accessible to everyone, not just the privileged class. It’s part of the ritual of childhood to learn to ride a bike. Mountain bikes, cyclocross bikes, road bikes, tri bikes, commuters, cruisers, city bikes, track bikes–they’re all the great grandchildren of the oddly proportioned thing seen here. Look how far we’ve come.
Or what about the pictures of the cyclists from back in the day? I think my favorite photo on the Bicycling Magazine site is the one of the Willow Grove Bicycle Club from around 1891. That’s nearly 120 years ago. But these guys are passionate about the same sport as you and me.
So, as cyclists, we’re totally connected through time and space. I guess maybe that’s why we’re so darn nice to each other. If you’re in Philly before October 13th, I encourage you to try to check out some of the cool stuff that’s part of BICYCLE: People + Ideas in Motion.
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