Update on advocacy and giving
February 12, 2017
We’re stepping up our giving and pro bono work more than ever before. Below is a rundown of what we’ve been up to lately. Thank you to all our customers; your purchases stabilize our operation and make this kind of direct social impact possible. Paul and the BooLander recently rode the Climate Ride Death Valley, and used […]
Continue ReadingBooLander, new custom tall tandem, hits the streets and the National Parks
January 23, 2017
Coverage update! The BooLander gets a sweet write up in Bicycle Times Magazine and a beautiful video from KQED Arts: What’s up bicycle customizers, feast your eyes on the BooLander, the latest custom bike to hit the streets at Rock The Bike. The BooLander is a vertical tandem (riders are top / bottom versus the […]
Continue Reading1.7 Million Views! CNN Covers Rock The Bike’s Roll-Up Generator at Standing Rock
December 6, 2016
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:
Continue ReadingInterview: RTB’s support of the 2016 Pleasant Revolution tour
November 30, 2016
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 […]
Continue ReadingWhat are the different models for a pedal powered concert?
November 27, 2016
The specific technical approach we take at each Pedal Powered Stage event now depends on the size and nature of the audience, the purpose of the event, the nature of the music. Ultimately we strive to provide an eye-opening and inspiring experience to both the audience and musicians. New compromise approaches have allowed us to […]
Continue ReadingIce Cream Bike: Setup and How-To
September 21, 2015
1. Prepare the custard ahead of time. It must be chilled for best results. 2. On the day of your event, pour the custard into the stainless steel canister — up to 1.5 gallons! 3. Close the top using the Country Freezer’s foolproof locking pin. 4. Run the stretchy slip-proof belt from the bike’s drive […]
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New audience sizes at Maker Faire, recent rallies mark transition for Pedal Powered Stage
June 3, 2015
Since our earliest moments of Pedal Powered experimentation, I’ve been fascinated by how much sound comes from one pedaler’s efforts. I remember a 12-year-old powering my street performance at a charity bike event for an audience of 30-50 people in the early goings. He was into it! Not too hard, not too easy. Great sound […]
Continue ReadingWhat can I power with Rock The Bike Generators?
March 31, 2015
What can I power with a Generator Pro or Electric Fender Blender Pro? Most common uses: AC Power — Use our Pedal Power Utility Box or create your own 24V Pedal Power system with a battery and inverter. Our Pedal Power Utility Box is a complete system that features: Ultracapacitor (absorbs every last Watt of […]
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People’s Climate Rally
January 30, 2015
It was our largest audience size to date by more than double, the previous being the 2013 San Francisco Bicycle Music Festival in Golden Gate Park at about 1000.
Continue ReadingBike Blended Apple Cider
December 22, 2014
What You Need: – 8-10 lbs. fresh apples (big-flavored, tangy, juicy varieties encouraged. We like Honeycrisp!) – water – two High Performance pitchers – 2 bowls or Cambros, 1 for apple pulp and one for juice. – electric kettle or access to stove and pot – cheesecloth, or paint straining sack – cutting board / knife – cinnamon […]
Continue ReadingChobani Team USA Spin Class video going viral. Here’s our behind the scenes look.
February 22, 2014
With viewcounts racking up, Chobani’s Team USA Experience is officially going viral. 30 everyday athletes are introduced into a new environment and invited to pedal to power an incredible spin class that unfolds before them with live music, interactive LED art, and a huge hillside projection. Rock The Bike produced the Pedal Power Spin […]
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Brainfood promotes Nutrition and Health with a Bike Blender
January 16, 2014
A look at the workshops the Community MVPs have done with Brainfood‘s very own bike blender. As the President/CEO of Youth Service America said, “The smoothie tasted even better knowing that I contributed to it.” Brainfood is a non-profit youth development organization in Washington, DC. Using food as a tool, Brainfood builds life skills and […]
Continue ReadingHighlights from Ecochella at UCLA
January 5, 2014
Ecochella was a student-produced live music event on the UCLA campus that was completely bike-powered thanks to our Pedal Powered Stage. We drove down to LA in a loaned pickup truck, carrying with us a 12-bike system ready for an audience of up to 1000 students. The size ended up closer to 500, but […]
Continue ReadingHoliday Greetings (reprint of newsletter)
December 21, 2013
Bike Blenders growing in popularity and variety. Above: Wheely Good Smoothies in Baltimore continues to dazzle at farmers markets with their customized Fender Blenders. The newest is their Rainbow Fish (using the Fender Blender Pro as the base). Bike Blenders continue to be a force for good, both out in the world and in our business. Good […]
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3000-person Pedal Powered concert system fits in briefcase. Rock The Bike’s biggest custom build to date.
November 17, 2013
Demolding wave guides. Each of the slots is at a slightly different angle, allowing the 6 tweeters to reach different parts of the crowd. Photo: Mike Cobb. 1/9/15 Update! The Russian Dolls / BRX system is in use! Check out the photos and blog post about the 9/21/14 People’s Climate Rally in Oakland. ———————- It’s […]
Continue ReadingWorld’s Largest Human Powered Music Festival returns to San Francisco June 22. Be There!
May 30, 2013
We co-produce and Pedal Power this annual community-powered music festival which always falls on the Saturday closest to the Solstice. This year, our 7th, is going to be our best ever. Please say you’ll join us 🙂 Check out this amazing video from last year’s event:
Continue ReadingWhen a bike gets stolen, activate your networks to get lots of eyes looking for you. And then get that bike back.
May 28, 2013
After a recent Bicycle Music Festival volunteer meeting one of our best cargo bikes, a Mundo 500, was stolen. It was locked to itself. This electric cargo bike was heavy, immobilized and impossible to push. The thieves must have had to lift it into a truck. I realized it the next morning and felt […]
Continue ReadingThanks 350.org and Sup. Avalos’ office for the opportunity to Pedal Power Bill McKibben
May 12, 2013
When I heard Bill McKibben was going to be in San Francisco to announce a recent success in Supervisor Avalos’s initiative for San Francisco to divest from Oil giants, I jumped at the chance to Pedal Power the speech. Avalos’ office put me in touch with the organizers who were excited to make it […]
Continue ReadingA bangin’ Bike To Work Day
May 11, 2013
This morning on Bike To Work Day I was racing to drop off a Bike Blender to UCSF for their Health Fair. In classic fashion I’d double-booked the drop off with a really important meeting, the ISCOTT commission meeting where Bicycle Music Festival was to present our Nighttime street closure plan. I didn’t check the […]
Continue ReadingBike Blending: How many crew? How much ingredients? How many bikes?
January 28, 2013
Here’s a copy of a recent receipt from Trader Joe’s for a Bike Blending event that served 100 people. To serve the most people in the least time, here are the factors to consider: – Ingredients. This is the easiest. Ingredients cost $0.60 per 8 oz smoothie. Scale this to meet your crowd’s needs. – […]
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