CELEBRATING THE ART OF BIKES: Sydney’s Creative Bike Festival

Sydney has spoken: we love bikes. Last week’s re-election of Clover Moore has silenced the “controversial” bike lane debate in perfect time for the season of cycling.

From the team that brought the Bicycle Film Festival to Sydney, The Spokes People are presenting more exciting and inclusive celebratory bike events this October, as part of City of Sydney’s Sydney Rides Festival.

Thanks to major sponsors Onitsuka Tiger and City of Sydney, "since we've been running these events, every year we've doubled our audience numbers as more and more people from all walks of life jump on bikes," said The Spokes People founder Josh Capelin.  "This year's festival continues to celebrate our unique bike culture through film, art, races and everything in between."

On average, the amount of bicycle traffic rose by 82% between March 2010 and March 2012*. “Cycling is no longer a fringe activity. It is fashion. It is fitness. It is family and friendship”, said Capelin.

It’s time to celebrate the rise of Sydney as a true cycling city. From lycra-clad racers, to thrifty commuters; cruisers with style to healthy families - there is a diverse community of cyclists and this year’s Sydney Bike Festival showcases and appeals to the breadth of bike culture.

The Spokes People will present 6 events over 2 weeks. The signature event, the Bicycle Film Festival, will this year be held in a unique outdoor venue, featuring films from all corners of the globe. The newest kid on the block for 2012 is Sydney’s first harbour criterium race at Barangaroo. And the ever-popular Gold Sprints returns.

“Gold Sprints are stationary bike races pitting mate against mate, stranger v stranger, in a race that’s all about riding very fast, not going anywhere quickly and having a jolly good time while doing it,” observes Capelin.

The Spokes People Festival Program 2012
Sat 13 Oct: Street Fair of Cycling Goodness - launch of Sydney Rides Festival, Taylor Square 12-7pm Free
Thu 18 Oct: Instabition - Instagram street art exhibition, The Tate Glebe 6-9pm Free
Fri 19 Oct: Gold Sprints - Roller racing, Sydney Boys High 7pm-12am Free
Wed 24 Oct: Creatures of the Night - Halloween fun ride, venue TBC 7-11pm Free
Thu 25 Oct, Fr 25 Oct, Sat 27 Oct: Bicycle Film Festival, Cathedral Square 6-10pm,$15 tickets: http://bffsydney.eventbrite.com.au/?ebtv=C
Sat 27 Oct: Baranga-race - Criterium, North Barangaroo 12-7pm Registrations needed

For the most up to date information on the festival please visit https://www.facebook.com/sydneybff
or http://thespokespeople.com.au/