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May 07, 2004
Bike Against Bush / Magicbike @08:11 AM
Bikes Against Bush is a dynamic performance/protest that occurs simultaneously on the streets of NYC during the Convention and on the Web. Bikes Against Bush uses wireless bicycles that incorporate a mechanical printing device consisting of a series of spray-chalk aerosol cans. This mechanical ChalkWriter can print text messages from web users to the street surfaces on which the bike cruises. Online users can send messages to the bicycle in real-time through the project website and the cyclist can decide when and where to print them. When the cyclist prints a message, bikesagainstbush.com automatically updates a live map marking the location of the message. A webcam on the bike also documents this with a snapshot at the moment of printing. The spray-chalk text message remains on the street for 4 to 5 days till the chalk biodegrades, or can be washed off easily with water. Thus, the goal of “Bikes Against Bush” is to serve as an inspirational and working model for alternative, creative political resistance.
posted by will | comments (6) | 
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OK, where can I get one for my bike?!
Posted by: andrew at May 7, 2004 04:10 PM
What's so magic about it?
Posted by: sony at May 9, 2004 08:53 AM
The magic part is referring to Magicbike, an entirely separate project created by Yury Gitman.
Posted by: Josh at May 10, 2004 04:27 PM
My link for Magicbike didn't come through. Here it is again:
http://www.magicbike.net
Posted by: Josh at May 10, 2004 04:27 PM
I see this through two lenses: First, as a streetwriter-mobile (banner-mobile) linked to the web, etc; I like it alot. It's a cool project. (Even if it doesn't use the GPS to draw a message using the path, logo like - go two blocks, turn left one block, left two blocks: you have a U!
But as political activism, I can't imagine even a really cool bicycle-written slogan doing anything to change a voter's mind. Preaching to the converted,so to speak. If the point of this is really to re-elect Kerry, put the resources into Kerry's coffer. It's true that Republican National Convention will provide the artist with fabulous promotion - in other words, I see this as more promotion, than political, potential.
Thinking harder, I wonder if voter registration would be another possible, and possibly more politically effective, use of the mobile writer?
New voters are more likely to be undecided voters and getting out the vote requires leg work; why not peddling?
Posted by: pw at May 11, 2004 03:50 PM
I agree with Peggy - preaching to the converted might be a well of misplaced energy. But sometimes speaking your mind in your medium of choice serves as an act of inspiration to others in your field, or to the general public, that we can all do something no matter how small our little lot is.
Posted by: kellee at May 28, 2004 02:29 PM