10 years ago there were only some hardcore cycler messengers with their sexy bikes, a subculture built on hip-hop, hardcore and just being different. Hungarian bikers were there on the messenger contest already 10 years ago in New York!
Since then a lot has changed and today there are over 20 000 people who gather on the yearly Critical Mass events in Budapest, and there are huge biker- community across Europe.
We have organized a biker-stroll today around the city -a kind of illegal critical mass that was beyond the social aspects, also a promotion event for our upcoming festival Bánkitó (earlier also branded as Jewstock). On the festival we have a significant biker-presence, as biking and bikers are linked with the basic values of the festival - subcultres, minorities, activism. The slogan of the festival is "Roll to the lake" - in Hungarian "Tekerj a tóra!" /teckairy' ah torah/ that is an alliterating word combination that includes the word Torah (to the lake), and just like we need to roll the torah - we are rolling on our bikes. We will actually take it lietral and have some contest in two weeks - people will bike to the location of the festival - jsut like last year, which is a good 40 kilometers, partially uphill! Whoever does that will be celebrated on the festival :D Other people take the less literal meaning and associate different (green) things with rolling...
We had a bike with a stereo, and one full of beers and ice cubes :) We gathered in the heart of the city and biked together in the city park.
Unfortunately there was a stupid "accident".... we, have just started our way in the Jewish district when a men in a car hit one biker, and has damaged his bike. He was not going slow, the car was honking, and intentionally hit the biker.
We had a bike with a stereo, and one full of beers and ice cubes :) We gathered in the heart of the city and biked together in the city park.
Unfortunately there was a stupid "accident".... we, have just started our way in the Jewish district when a men in a car hit one biker, and has damaged his bike. He was not going slow, the car was honking, and intentionally hit the biker.
However, nothing is by chance, and it is not "by accident" that this happened. Car drivers do not respect bikers in Budapest, at all. Passangers also kindof hate bikers - so it is almost balck and white: either you are a biker - or you think its weird / dangeous. There are hardly any proper bike roads, even though the city could have done much more in the last decade for this. Not only because I am a biker, but there are so many good examples from different cities - and especially cities with areas like the Jewish district in Budapest. In this area no cars should be allowed, as streets are narrow, and the buldings are valuable. Besides, there are poor public transportation possibilities here, no trams or buses, so you can either walk, or - you could bike - if there would be proper roads... In the last 9 years since I am biking in Budapest I had many incidents, as well, when I was harrased by car drivers and passangers. In most of the cases there was no real cuase for anger, but my sheer existence disturbed them - as I was out of the rule.
Thus there is a real connection for me between minority identity - and biking...
Biking in Budapest is still a statement, and it is a means also to unite people for a good cause, that is more or less independent from everyday politics. However, the biker society is also diverse - there are conservative "national bikers" - whom I have seen on the last Critical mass, coming with red-white-green badges, and so on, with whom I dont hink I have much in common. And there are rasta, hardcore, tattoed guys and girls, but lately all segments of society can be seen on bikes - even businesmen, housewifes or rockers. Members of the Budapest biker community has diversified in the last couple of years, and even though the inidividuals and subgroups are different - on thing unites them: they all love the experience of moving in the city on two wheels.
If you havent tried it - its hard to describe - its a phisical - visual experience, when you can experience the city from different angels, in a different rythm and though a different texture.
Biking in Budapest is still a statement, and it is a means also to unite people for a good cause, that is more or less independent from everyday politics. However, the biker society is also diverse - there are conservative "national bikers" - whom I have seen on the last Critical mass, coming with red-white-green badges, and so on, with whom I dont hink I have much in common. And there are rasta, hardcore, tattoed guys and girls, but lately all segments of society can be seen on bikes - even businesmen, housewifes or rockers. Members of the Budapest biker community has diversified in the last couple of years, and even though the inidividuals and subgroups are different - on thing unites them: they all love the experience of moving in the city on two wheels.
If you havent tried it - its hard to describe - its a phisical - visual experience, when you can experience the city from different angels, in a different rythm and though a different texture.
Today, right after the incident we have seen a Jewish orthodox family with a bike, some people in the group made remarks about them, some other told not to make fun of them...Not everyone who bikes is liberal and open-minded the same way, however, it is still a symbol in Budapest for progressive, non-conformist thinking, and there are of course many Jews in the biker community as well - especially around Marom and Sirály, where I also belong to.
Last week I have seen a chasid tracker in Jerusalem, it was funny - I wonder where I can learn about the chasid-biker community - but apparently it has started in Budapest, already, which is great! Biking is great - and everyone can acknowledge that, idependent from race, religion or political views. Moreover, if you bike in Budapest you contribute to reclaiming the city! Roll on!
Last week I have seen a chasid tracker in Jerusalem, it was funny - I wonder where I can learn about the chasid-biker community - but apparently it has started in Budapest, already, which is great! Biking is great - and everyone can acknowledge that, idependent from race, religion or political views. Moreover, if you bike in Budapest you contribute to reclaiming the city! Roll on!
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