BikeStormz

I know Jake (Jake100_ on insta) pretty well, having employed him in my workshop for 2 years and I am a firm believer in Bikestormz. Jake helped dream up the idea with Mac, Kay, Harry etc a few years ago and since leaving the shop is getting paid a decent wedge from Nike and has his own bike out with Collective Bikes (a BMX company).

There are plenty of challenging things with their idea, some more so than others. Someone mentioned the lack of representation of women and girls within the movement earlier in the thread. This is the biggest for me. I think dangers to pedestrians and cyclists are limited by these riders cruising in big groups as they are much more obvious, but admit when there are smaller groups of riders can be a danger to themselves and others.

However, I think that the movement is a generally positive thing for the young people involved. The 'Bikes Up, Knives Down' hashtag is a major player in the movement and the point of riding around in central London is that it allows young people to get out of their ends to a neutral zone in which they can focus on their similarities and shared interest.

I also think that in a city of 10 million people it is easy to feel anonymous and marginalised as a young person, especially when all the buildings, quasi-public spaces and parks are owned by 'the man' and have stifling rules and regs. Bikestormz allows these kids to express themselves and reclaim some of the city scape for themselves. Even if it is just in a transient way.

Have just seen some kids cycling around, and one of them has a car numberplate taped to the front of his bike.

revenge thing ? nick a plate then ride into Toll Charge zones every day, would that registar a charge to the plate/vehicle owners.

amazing

Evil genius rep.

Bikestormz goes fixed gear, but not necessarily the way you think https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k2Ac5wYaPuQ

Great bike handing skills but ridiculous to wheelie absolutely everywhere!! Nice to see the little pivot turns when they were waiting at the lights... Like it...

Nice to see them excited about the bikes in the shop and repurposing folding shoppers looks pretty fun!

Nice seatpost!

I thought the wheelying was meant to signify 'bikes up, knives down'? I don't know if that's the reason why they do it so persistently, though. It may just be having fun wheelying. @fly can probably explain.

When I see this sort of thing, I'm always reminded of how many people enjoy the acrobatic side of cycling first and foremost. Where I grew up, there's a long tradition of "Kunstradfahren", an indoor sport that many people in Britain have never seen.

https://www.lfgss.com/conversations/139131/

These boys started much too late to achieve the same level of performance as the elite athletes, but I often wonder whether it might not be a good sport to popularise in London. You need the specialised bikes, which are not cheap, and indoor gyms--and experienced coaches, of course.

Jake who @fly mentions above did the Ride 100 on his signature bike. Dope to watch the wheelies on the descents and was raising money and awareness for a good cause. Was able to catch him pull up on the final straight so excuse my fanboy shout as he passes https://youtu.be/PMbwZBqk9mo

absolutely fucking amazing

I got caught up in them yesterday through Central London. As much as I wish I could wheelie like them I do wish they weren't so reckless.

Jake100 (as referred to above) is leading the big rideout this year

August 19th