On with the Revolution (Bicycle Revolution)

"I'll probably head out for the revolution right when I get home from work" I told the mrs. yesterday morning as I went out the door.

"Oh no you don't, mister. I don't want you getting involved in that" was her response.

"Too late," I said. "I've been involved my whole life."

No, there was no such misunderstanding about it. She knew I was talking about the screening and discussion of the Bicycle Revolution documentary. Bicycle Revolution, the film, documents a class of Harvey Mudd College students and Professor Paul Steinberg as they journey, by bicycle, through the morass of transportation issues, sustainability, and civic initiative. Visiting twelve Los Angeles regional cities in the early months of 2016, the students were able to engage with city officials, community activists, and concerned citizens. Along the way they were able to experience directly the complexities of municipal politics, and the problems associated with instituting and initiating change.

Perhaps more important than providing an opportunity for the students to experience and explore the issues associated with bicycle transportation, the class provided valuable insights into how local government works, how decisions at the local level are made, and how change is effected. A recurring theme at the beginning of the film - we don't know how to talk to elected officials, we don't know how to bring about change, etc, took a very positive turn to the firm belief that regular citizens can initiate change by becoming involved. While I am sure that Professor Steinberg knew beforehand that part of the class would involve lessons in civics, I wonder if he had any idea how big a role those lessons would have in the outcome. 

With film industry professionals involved in the production, Bicycle Revolution flows along from start to finish, highlighting meetings, quick quotes and informative dialogue, interwoven with scenes of riding the streets and paths in the cities the class visited. 

You can keep abreast of upcoming screenings more local to you, as well as other information by liking the Bicycle Revolution Facebook page, and checking out the films' web page.

Thanks go out to all the people involved with Bicycle Revolution, Sustainable Claremont, the Pomona Valley Bicycle Coalition, Bike SGV, the Pomona College Green Bikes Program (by the way very cool caps, and how can I get one), and the Local Bike Stand, for bringing the film to us, or otherwise helping bring about a successful evening. Thanks also to the many officials and city staff from Claremont and La Verne for their presence and input, to Kevin Foxe, John Trendler, Monica Curiel, Dr. Julie Medero, Paul Steinberg, and two students who deserve to be recognized (but I don't know their names) for participating in the panel discussion and providing their insights. Between the racers, the commuters, the activists, the recreationists, and even the curious, I don't recall a cycling event like this with such a broad range of participants. The Bicycle Revolution is clearly a broad-based revolution.