CNN sent journalist Sara Sidner to Standing Rock in North Dakota, though they don’t identify which camp they visited: Oceti Sakowin Camp, Rosebud Camp, or Sacred Stone Camp.
While walking around, Sara found a Roll-Up, our portable pedal-powered generator, brought to Standing Rock by friend/collaborator/co-conspirator Mike Cobb, and gave it a spin. Check out the video below:
In summer 2016 we supported and rode with the Pleasant Revolution bike music tour of the West Coast. Here’s an interview in which Kipchoge Spencer, the founder of the Pleasant Revolution, asks RTB’s founder Paul Freedman ( a.k.a. Fossil Fool) about the experience. The photos are Paul’s.
KS: What made you want to join the tour?
PF: I joined the crew on Salt Spring Island in British Columbia—they were already on tour. I met them at the Farmers Market when they were setting up for a Biketopia Music Festival. I stayed with them for two weeks, until Seattle, and then joined them again on the Sonoma coast of California for another stint. I think our biggest day of riding was 50-55 miles approaching Seattle. I felt it on the train ride home, I could barely walk!
I always like combining public transportation with bike touring. To meet up with them the first time, I took Amtrak to Seattle, a ferry to Victoria, B.C. and then biked from there to the Salt Spring ferry. The second time I was able to take a bus from San Francisco to the coast to meet up with them.
Producers of large events are used to working in large spaces. Spaces that are typically empty and in need of shape, definition and life when they arrive. Just as it is the job of the wedding producer to remember the flowers, it is the job of our customers and rental clients to plan for both the visual impact and the function of everything in their spaces. (more…)
If you are located outside of the United States, you can still order a Fender Blender Pro from us! However, perhaps you might want to check for an official Rock The Bike dealer near to you! Use our interactive map to find your closest Dealer.
We have EXCLUSIVE DEALERS that we will be directing your inquiries to. If you see your country listed below, please feel free to contact them directly:
Germany & Austria – Andi at Vitamin:Rausch will help you; please email him at rtb@vitaminrausch.de
Australia & New Zealand – Kate at Foost will help you; please email her at kate@foost.com.au
“Whereas, Rock The Bike, located at 6323 San Pablo Avenue in North Oakland, and founded and owned by Paul Freedman, cares deeply about motivating others through fun activities to take action to help with the ongoing climate change crisis . . . . Whereas, everyone who pedals out a smoothie on a Fender Blender gets to feel the thrill of converting their muscle power to usable energy . . . . and Whereas the Oakland City Council wishes to recognize Rock The Bike, outstanding Oakland small business for the key role that they play in keeping our economy strong; now, therefore, be it . . . resolved that the Oakland City Council sincerely appreciates and extends a heartfelt thanks to Rock The Bike, and to all the small businesses located within the City limits for their investment in Oakland.”
Every year, as part of National Small Business Week, the Oakland City Council recognizes an exemplary business in each of the council districts, and this year Rock The Bike was one of them. (more…)
Maker Faire 2016 is happening May 20th – 22nd at the San Mateo Fairgrounds. Join us and spread the word with our Facebook invite HERE:
Rock The Bike is pleased to announce it’s umpteenth year involved in creating Pedal Powered Music offerings for multiple days at the Maker Faire of San Mateo. This event has grown to be one of the largest Maker Faires in the country, boasting ten’s of thousands of participants per day, and new technology and inspirations to make your mind bend. Rock The Bike has been a huge part of creating and inspiring innovation at the Maker’s Faire and Bay Area, through pedal powered concerts that make us think of where our power is coming from, and how we might want to use our time and energy more efficiently as an individual or community. So let’s get to it! Here is the line-up and details of the Bike ride down to Maker’s Faire 2016:
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It was one of the first spoken word performances at a Bicycle Music Festival and the first we’ve featured in a highlight video. The performance of a poem about being a woman is poignantly set on the Climate Justice! banner, a reminder of how our movements are connected.
If you love the poem as much as we do, check out Dominique Christina’s other videos and web site.
The Pedal Powered Stage was loud and clear that day with 24 Generators in beautiful rainbow formation. The volunteer crew of Bicycle Music Festival transported all the gear you see (with the exception of the elevated stage) by bicycle. The video shows a few short snippets of this huge bicycle roadying effort.
The Dubai Municipality’s Environmental Awareness Team took it to the people on Kite Beach as part of Car Free Day, an effort to pull over 30,000 private and government cars off the roads on February 21. Their custom branded Fender Blender Pros were the focus of their well-organized activation, drawing in people to experience the joy of pedaling, and then drink the tasty results of their efforts. The man on the left raising his hand is a ‘coach‘ — a crew member responsible for helping people on and off the bikes, pulling them in to the activity, raising or lowering the seat so they get maximum efficiency from their muscles, and cheering for them when they put their all into the pedals.
Sitting on the stool on the right side of this photo is an unassuming white form, but push the lever on it and you have a beast of a challenge — match the energy needs of an electric toaster by pedaling your hardest on an efficient bicycle generator. (more…)
Photos by Marlon Aldana
As the weather turns nippy in Oakland and the Rock The Bike takes a breather from work to get in the holiday spirit, we wanted to take a moment to share this note of gratitude.
We are thankful to all our customers who have helped us grow our business and find a stable location in Oakland. You have given us the foundation and stability to make a difference in our local community, to say yes when a local Climate Rally needs a sound system and doesn’t want to rent it from ye’ olde diesel powered sound co. (more…)