The Biking Revolution
The Biking Revolution is happening all over the planet with millions of people choosing to bike instead of get in a car and it is gaining ever more attention as events such as Critical Mass, World Naked Bike Ride, and World Car Free Day become more and more popular.
Symbol and Bracelet
The Symbol is a graphical representation of the Biking Revolution Bracelet, a piece of used bike inner tube tied around the wrist, being worn by someone on a bike who is passing out flowers.
Uses
Biking Revolution Bracelets can be passed out by people brandishing flowers (or other fun things) at Critical Mass rides, bike workshops, and other biking related events to create a public symbol that people can wear to show that they are part of The Biking Revolution.
The Biking Revolution Symbol can also be included in promotional materials for any biking related events and activities, which again helps to create greater awareness of the spread of The Biking Revolution.
Goals
The goal behind the Symbol and Bracelet is to raise awareness of the many virtues of cycling. World Naked Bike Ride, Critical Mass, and other similar events are popping up everywhere, and yet it seems that it is mostly cyclists that are aware of this phenomenon. The intention is to spread The Symbol of the Biking Revolution and get people to wear the Biking Revolution Bracelets to generate much broader recognition for cycling and its benefits.
In addition, the flower contained within the Symbol is intended to inspire people who are part of The Biking Revolution to use creative non-violence in the Biking Revolution activities in which they participate. Passing out flowers is a very effective way to generate good will toward cyclists and can help alleviate the tension and animosity that can form between cyclists and motorists as they try to figure out how to share the road.
Origins
College students at Truman State, along with people from Dancing Rabbit Ecovillage and The Sanctuary passed out Biking Revolution Bracelets, and promotional materials with The Biking Revolution Symbol on them, to help organize a very successful Critical Mass ride in Kirksville, MO, in which cyclists and motorist generally get along well and flowers are regularly passed out to motorists and other onlookers. In addition the Bracelets, Symbol and students wearing flowers were used to help promote a bike concert and to help get Truman State to agree to provide funding and a space for a student organized bike co-op.
