Events powered by bicycle generators are becoming more and more frequent. Audiences, businesses and artists continue to throw their support behind greener energy sources, embracing machines such as these. Perhaps you’ve seen groups of people peddling stationary bikes equipped with motors beside stages recently. The amplifiers, lights and microphones are all basically working off the sweat of these riders. If interested in supporting the cause, here are some festivals they may be powering near you.
San Francisco Bicycle Music Festival
Behold the largest bicycle-powered music festival in the world! Since 2007, organizers and supporters of the festival have demonstrated that bicycling is a legitimate and reasonable substitute for many of our fossil fuel uses. Rather than relying on gas dependent vehicles to transport equipment, musicians and their gear are tugged on trailers behind bikes from venue to venue. Groups of riders circle the streets of San Francisco blowing clarinets, whistles and singing. The pedal-powered PA system constructed by Rock the Bike shows the energy humans are capable of generating if effectively organized. Furthermore, since the equipment depends on audiences for power, a more participatory environment emerges between performers and crowds.
Toronto Bicycle Music Festival
Inspired by San Francisco’s all bike festival, Toronto began hosting its own version in 2010. Bands and crowds ride from three different venues in the city playing music, hosting puppet shows and ringing bells. Expect all electric instruments to be bike-powered as well as the smoothie machines during this free, family friendly festival happening September 7, 2013.
Pedalfest
With cyclists doing stunts and bike rodeos, the likelihood that people of all ages will be entertained at Pedalfest is pretty likely. It takes place in Oakland, California during July when the heat really causes some thirst issues. Thankfully, organizers have bike powered blenders to remedy such problems — turning fruit into shakes and smoothies. Rock the Bike, which also does sound for Bicycle Music Festival, provides Pedalfest with electricity generating cycles for the music it hosts.
Chico Bicycle Music Festival
This festival has been promoting the bicycle as an alternative mode of transportation and energy since 2007. On the first Saturday of June, the residents of Chico, California welcome visitors who have gathered to pedal and strum from morning till night. The sounds of banjos, tin drums and the whir of bicycle tires fill venues resulting in dance fever. But if dancing isn’t your thing, hop on a bike generator and create some power for those amps!