Scraper Bikes: “Bike 4 Life Ride”
Born in the streets of Oakland, scraper bikes first gained attention as a trend in bicycle customization that spread with viral speed, thanks to YouTube. Since the Scraper Bike video debuted two years ago, they've become much more: a practical means of greening urban space, a social movement, and a rallying point for young people organizing against violence in their communities.
Tyrone "Baby Champ" Stevenson, who styles himself the Scraper Bike King, says the first scraper bikes were created by Oakland teens who coveted, but could not afford, scraper cars -- souped-up sedans painted with bright colors and with rims so large they scrape the undercarriage. Scraper bikes are such a hit that many teens skip the cars and keep pedaling well past the age of 16.
On July 25, Stevenson organized the second annual "Bike 4 Life" ride to call for an end to violence in Oakland's neighborhoods. "We're trying to bring together a gun truce," he says, "because a lot of people in our community are dying from guns." This Streetfilm features scenes from the ride and more from Stevenson about the movement he helped launch.
These guys kick ass and I always love your films. Parts of the youtube video were filmed a few blocks from my house. Great job!
Good stuff! Keep riding!
I saw one of these bikes on San Pablo yesterday. It looked like a yellow jacket. Very visible!
COOL! I want one of those....
I wasn't aware of the significance scraper bikes within the Oakland community. Great, informative video. Good to see ppl taking up biking.
sweeeet, i see those bikes all over the place, great video!
Awesome work & fun, guys. I'm really encouraged that people who are usually left out of conversations about the green movement, who are sometimes called "too poor to participate", are coming together and making something personal and artful (a scraper bike) into a vehicle for community organization, loud voice and visible presence, and change in favor of really important fundamentals: live and let live, and speedy clean access to a broad range of places and people. Keep pedaling, and more. Would you lead the community you have formed to take on a broader range of issues? Can you get out the vote for politicians who will really try to help, like the Green Party? Would you use scraper bikes in local businesses that you invent: deliveries for seniors, single parents, businesses, ...; backyard farming for places without good groceries, etc.? Check out My Farm in SF for a business model, or help them bring it to your place. Would you enter some mainstream parades or other kinds of public exhibitions to advertise that you are available and powerful, so people who want to help your neighborhoods improve can find you and have faith in your ability? What is really important to you, after peace and a hip clean ride? Rock on.
i love the video, my brother wants one does anyone know where to get one from
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This Event Took Place This Past Summer In Collabration With Onefam & Bikes4Life Whom Were Sorry To Mention, This Was Our Last Bike Ride And Collaboration With Onefam & Bikes4Life...Check Out Their Website To See Wat Wounderful Things Thier Doing In The Community.. And Congratulations On Their Grand Opening Of The 'Bikes 4 Life' Bike Shop...We Wish You Much Success...
Now Lets Help Get The Scraper Bikes A Bike Shop!!
i live in oakland and these guys are my heroes - they live with poverty and violence all around them, but have chosen to respond with creativity and spirit. i was there last july for Bike4Life and can't wait to do it again! the best part was taking over the intersection in downtown oakland!
SCRAPER BIKES IS OUR THING. IM FROM OAKLAND BUT LIVE N PITTSBURG AND EVERYWERE I GO PPL TALK ABOUT THE SCRAPER BIKES. AS YOU CAN SEE ITS A MOVEMENT
thezz bikes are tight