New Amsterdam Bike Slam

Cycle-crazy

New York cycle-couriers are a crazy breed, pedalling through dangerously heavy traffic that isn’t looking out for them, taking shortcuts that cars can’t and when a gridlock forms those pesky cyclists just ride on through…  Ever stop to think that maybe they were on to something. Imagine a New York where cyclists outnumbered cars, traffic ran smoothly and thanks to pedal-power, emissions were far less.

New Amsterdam, New Amsterdam

As part of the NY400 celebrations between Amsterdam and New York, the New Amsterdam Bike Slam, inspired by poetry slams, hip hop battles, reality TV and good ol’ fashion know-how pits two teams comprising of both Dutch and American planners and designers in a competition to redesign New York City’s transportation woes.

Brains travel on bikes

After three days of intensive planning and preparation, on Saturday 12 September, the two highly skilled teams will go head-to-head in a battle royale that comprises urban planning, marketing, design and social & eco-awareness. Live on stage as part debate, part performance, in front of a panel of judges they’ll pedal their plan for a compelling new vision to increase bicycling in lower Manhattan and the New York Harbor District.

The team with the most practical and innovative plan to send New York down the right path as a bike-friendly city will be rightfully rewarded by Mr Job Cohen, Mayor of Amsterdam with the winning team scoring free Dutch bicycles courtesy of Workcycles.

Go Dutch

If you’re in New York during NY400 week, September 8-13, rent a NY400 bike for free. Pick them up at the Bike and Roll rental booth located on Bowling Green, downtown Manhattan.

For more information on the slam, visit New Amsterdam Bike Slam