The Revolution's Here... And I Have a Bike

A couple weeks ago while riding home on the bus, a group of kids got the attention of everyone as they packed onto a corner - I believe Pico and 30th - and were getting their bikes and roller blades ready while pulling up hoods and tying on bandanas as face masks. Looking like a bunch of young anarchists, I thought maybe the tongue-in-cheek premonitions of the coming revolution by my buddy Kreplech from Illiterate Electorate may actually be right. Particularly the latter half of his statement, "The revolution's here... And I have a bike." The point being, when the shit hits the fan and the roadways are clogged with cars, he'll be able to make his way out of the city with pedal power. Well, there was no revolution, but pedal power got these kids far.

According to Banned Bicycles this was the latest in a series of rides by the Crimanimalz who took not just to the Santa Monica streets, but the Santa Monica and San Diego Freeways during Friday rush hour to make the point that people power is not only better for the environment, but a quicker method of transport through Los Angeles's clogged arteries. Apparently it started after Santa Monica began cracking down on Critical Mass to prevent the mass of bike riders from clogging city streets. As the bike riders were pulled over and let off without even a warning, I'd say the city is losing so far. Enjoy the video, and be sure to check out the Crimanimalz' photos of the event.