Paul Freedman (also known as Fossil Fool, the Bike Rapper) began Rock the Bike in Summer of 2004. The company was initially called "Fossil Fool", but that name now refers only to his bike rapping alter ego.
In addition to sending out the bike vibe through his rap, custom Soul Cycle party bikes, and the Down Low Glow bike lights, Paul also contributes to Worldbike.org, a nonprofit developing low cost cargo bikes for poor countries.
Previous to dedicating himself as a bike culture artist, musician, and social entrepreneur, Paul worked at Metazoa, a scientific software company making collaboration tools for research biologists. Paul graduated from Harvard with a degree in Computer Science. He hardly uses his formal education, except to communicate with coder Brandon Bergren. When it comes to product design, engineering, business, marketing, etc., he is self-taught.
Paul is a great believer in street performing and community participation. He grows orchids, shops at the Alemany Farmer's Market in San Francisco, and tries to call his mother at least once a week.
Looking for a bike-based paramedic / EMT to use the Lifebike
Submitted by fossilfool on Tue, 07/08/2008 - 11:40.
Before turning our focus to bike culture and bike safety, we developed a system called the Lifebike for bicycle-based paramedics and EMTs to use at large crowded events such as July 4th, parades, sports events, etc.
'Twas the night before Maker's Faire...
Submitted by fossilfool on Sun, 05/18/2008 - 21:22.»
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Common Ground writes up Bike Music Scene, puts Rock The Bike on cover
Originally appeared on Common Ground.Quotation:
"A fresh undercurrent of musical culture is reinventing what’s cool — and taking gasoline out of the equation."
Excerpt:
Bikes that Rock
Originally appeared on Sierra Club's Green Life blog.Quotation:
As emcee of the Pedal Powered Stage at the Maker Faire, Make magazine's annual event showcasing creative inventions, Freedman asked audience members to take turns riding specially modified "soul cycles," powering the microphones and speakers onstage.
Bicycle advocate and rapper Paul Freedman (a.k.a. Fossil Fool) gets his kicks by turning pedal power into sound waves. As emcee of the Pedal Powered Stage at the Maker Faire, Make magazine's annual event showcasing creative inventions, Freedman asked audience members to take turns riding specially modified "soul cycles," powering the microphones and speakers onstage.
Rock the Bike on home page of Lime.com
Originally appeared on Lime.com.Quotation:
"San Francisco's Fossil Fool, a.k.a. the Bike Rapper, brings the party to the people with his 'Choprical Fish' — a super cool, pedal-powered party bike."
(Online sustainable-living resource Lime.com picked up our piece about customizing human powered party bikes.)
Rock the Bike pedal powers Save the Redwoods' 90-year Anniversary
Originally appeared on TV 20 (Bay Area TV Station).Quotation:
The sound system for the birthday party is pedal powered by Paul Freedman's company, Rock the Bike.
The sound system for the birthday party is pedal powered by Paul Freedman's company, Rock the Bike.
"A lot of the music itself is talking about a progressive, green, or positive message. And so to really drive that home, if your audience is pedaling and that's how you get your power, it's a really nice way to complete the message."
See video of the pedal-power piece on TV20's site.
Above: Ranger Mia from Muir Woods pedal powers Save the Redwoods' Ruskin Hartley at the League's 90th birthday event.
Redefining Cool
By Bicycle Retailer Interbike Special (October 2007).Quotation:
Fossil Fool shows us signs of what's to come in the urban bike scene.
New Down Low Glow video set to "Boda Boda Rap" by Fossil Fool and Lawi One
Submitted by fossilfool on Tue, 04/01/2008 - 18:56.Here's a cool video compilation of the Down Low Glow shots we've posted to Flickr over the last two years.
The music in the video is a track called "Boda Boda Rap" I worked on when I was working in Kisumu, Kenya for Worldbike.org .
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Rock the Bike's connection to the Mundo Utility Bicycle
In January 2008 Rock The Bike stepped up to distribute the Mundo Utility Bicycle in the US. Aside from wanting to offer our customers a sturdy, affordable, and highly customizable way to carry their stuff on a bicycle, I also had a personal reason to carry the Mundo.
Recorded "I am a Fossil Fool" again
Submitted by fossilfool on Sat, 12/29/2007 - 03:05.I recorded "I am a Fossil Fool" again last night. Only Rock the Bike members can download it -- look for the "attachments" link below after you register or log in. My throat was pretty scratchy from the flu, so I'll have to redo the vocals again soon . But I wanted to get something out on Rock the Bike so you all can play it at your New Year's Eve rides and parties. I'll be performing this one live tomorrow at Bike Culture Night. Hope you can make it if you're local.
I spent most of the winter break learning Ableton Live and making music in the attic studio.
