Uncategorized – Uppity Bike Commuters Collective

Uppity Bike Commuters Collective asks the question ” Why do motorists feel compelled to harass or harm people who are riding bicycles?” The seeds of the UBCC were planted through an interaction that occurred while working as a bike messenger in Philadelphia. An automobile driver rode up next to me at a stop sign and shouted, “Aren’t you all Uppity!! Riding your bike in the street!!” This stuck in my memory for many years. Later on, while living in San Francisco, a school colleague was run off the road by a Fed Ex truck while riding her bike. Ideas about creating a statement concerning the bicycling transportation experience arrived. These thoughts were shared with a circle of bicycling colleagues and we decided to create visibility. Turning the tables on absurd encounters: The Uppity Bike Commuters Collective was created. Features 5 core members: Professor Crank, Dr. K, The Unicorn, Notorious D.A.V., and Mr. Bubble(S.).

The Uppity Bike Commuters Collective celebrates access to self-directed movement in a common space while recognizing collective lives on bicycles. In our experience, everyone who regularly rides a bicycle has a story to tell about being compromised in some way. Body Politics, Class, and Identity all play a role. In contrast, the UBCC ( UBC for short ) presents Bicycle Transportation as essential for a democratic society. In addition, the UBC also promotes the bicycle as a catalyst for creating community, solidarity, and personal independence. By publicly interacting with and (re) – creating these scenarios through stickers, posters and t-shirts: The Uppity Bike Commuters Collective creates dialogue, unveils cultural mechanisms, and affirms connections of shared experience.