Bicycology/Activities
Bicycology Activity / Workshop Criteria'
1> In what ways will the activity communicate some or all of the Bicycology ideals?(e.g. climate change issues, environmental issues, the domination of car culture, anarchism, social justice, community building....)
2> How would you best attract people into taking part and publicise the activity? When answering this question think about how the activity appeals to/ may be suited to certain groups of people such as; those who are new to cycling, those who are complacent about environmental issues, those who are knowledge about environmental issues but inactive.
3> Who would you expect your audience/participants to be?
4> What is the ideal location / setup for the activity?
5> What would be the best time during the tourtiose week to run the activity? (this includes time of day if relavent) And why?
6> What resources would you need for the activity • resources we already have:
• resources we need to make / borrow / buy / print, including leaflets, banners, diagrams, handouts:
7> How many Bicycologists does it take to ensure the smooth running of the activity?
8> Run through what the activity would typically entail (you may have to use some amount of imagination/forsight here if this is a new activity)
9>How long will the activity take?
"Remake the Media" Criteria
1> In what ways will the activity communicate some or all of the Bicycology ideals?(e.g. climate change issues, environmental issues, the domination of car culture, anarchism, social justice, community building....)
- emphasis on car advertising and how it infiltrates our society
- discusses the negative effects on advertising on a community
- climate change will be highlighted when discussing why adverts are wrong
- advertising affects our direct environment, rather than our natural environment
- will hopefully foster the idea in people who take part to question what they are told, and to fight power with personal direct action!
2> How would you best attract people into taking part and publicise the When answering this question think about how the activity appeals to/ may be suited to certain groups of people such as; those who are new to cycling, those who are complacent about environmental issues, those who are knowledge about environmental issues but inactive.
I would hope this would be subscribed to in a similar way to walking history type tours...
- publicise in a pre-prepared programme
- ringing up youth groups and booking a session with them
- booking people in will be essential, so publicising at other events and getting people to sign up
- publicise as part of bicycology events at colleges and university
- sign people up in busy shopping and corporate areas, where something like this would be most relavent to.
3> Who would you expect your audience/participants to be?
Could be tailored for adults or young people 13+, not appropriate for younger than this.
4> What is the ideal location / setup for the activity?
- Ideally a quiet space so people can chat in an uninhibited way
- There would ideally be tables and chairs or a good floor space
- It would help if it could be a space that could get messy without worry
- in a town location would be best, where there are billboards and adverts
5> What would be the best time during the tourtiose week to run the activity? (this includes time of day if relavent) And why? No preferable time in week, can be scheduled anywhere. However, if it were for youth groups, it would be appropriate to timetable to match when they are available.
6> What resources would you need for the activity
• resources we already have:
- some pens, paint, pencils
• resources we need to make / borrow / buy / print, including leaflets, banners, diagrams, handouts:
- magazines with car adverts in (get looking in your street's recycling boxes people!)
- sticky backed paper
- pens, pencils, paint, brushes
- binoculars, i-spy costume?!
- hand-out on topic and how it relates to bicycological philosophy
- Blu-tack
7> How many Bicycologists does it take to ensure the smooth running of the activity? 2 at the most, though could easily be one person.
8> Run through what the activity would typically entail (you may have to use some amount of imagination/forsight here if this is a new activity)
Uncovering advertising
1: go for a stroll in the local area, to sight-see some billboards.(perhaps make this into something more exciting using props such as binuculars )
- to show the participants how billboards affect the area in which they exist
- to compare the advertised reality with the actual reality
- to talk about the purpose of adverts
- talk about how much companies pay to display their adverts and buy public space
- to relax and inspire the participants by giving them an opportunity to chat and meet others taking part in the workshop
2: Return to workspace and look through prepared glossy mags etc to find car adverts
- to provide source material for the following activities
- to demonstrate the prevalance of adverts in magazines
3:Discuss adverts, ask: "what are these adverts communicating to us?" "do adverts tell the truth?" (compare to what we have just seen on stroll) "what techniques do they use to convince us?" (pinpoint several examples of techniques used, esp. those that are used in more than one instance)
- emphasis on sharing information rather than "teaching"
hopefully the discussion will conclude that adverts are manipulative, will try to make things seem appealing even if they are not, have an effect on us even if we're cynical, etc etc. If this is so we can ask... "should we trust advertisers / corporate media?" "why would they lie?" "what are they gaining from being deceitful?"
4. Show some books on the topic of subvertising,(bristle book, banksy etc etc) whilst discussing the various techniques used by people. "what works well and why?"
5. Have a go at subvertising the pages from old magazines cut , paste, stick, paint, reply in any form that feels suitable.
- to show the positive effects of creating against the things you disagree with
- to empower people
- to share ideas
6. Pin work on wall and discuss (like a mini exhibition)
Children's Bicycology Workshop - Criteria questions answered
1> During the children’s workshops, through singing, reading and art activities the children will be learning about the general concept of climate change and some of the ways in which we can prevent it (e.g. no driving, yes cycling), and also about the fun and adventure of cycling (which will help them to think of cycling as an attractive activity, and so want to do it and so then get use to it and so overcoming one of the barriers to cycling).
2> These workshops will be aimed at children, 5 – 14 year olds, of any background/any amount of experience of cycling, and will only take place either where there is a guaranteed group of children (e.g. a summer club) or in the library if they have a regular events like this.
3> I expect the participants to be children, 5 – 14 year olds, either with parents or brought as part of a group which is already facilitated by adults (e.g. a summer club).
4> The ideal location would be a big, light space, under cover (but could be outside), with a sink nearby, space where we are allowed to make a muddy mess (but which will be cleaned up), and possibly tables (but not essential). Also, a comfy ground big enough for 20 people to sit on together as a group (e.g. a carpet or covered grassy area). ( But could use blankets). A space very close where a few Bicycologists & possibly Pedals can arrive and cycle around, and give the kids a go on the bikes ( e.g. a park, or car park or pedestrian zone)
5> We have decided on Wednesday and Thursday AM (so probably 10am –12 noon).
6> We will need A4 to A1 paper for each participant (can be scrap, just blank on one side), plus a few buckets /washing bowls, mud, water, bike tyres with interesting tred patterns, and 20 plastic bags (preferably including some with nice colours). And 20 copies of the tetra pak wallet/plastic bag streamer guide page to give out. (imogen has some A2 recycled paper rescued from being thrown away by wasteful printers, will this do, if so please remind me nearer the tour to bring it.) 7> We'll need two bicycologists minimum (including myself), but would be nice with a few more.
8> Activities: Read with them an illustrated story about climate change, sustainability and Bicycology, then sing (and act) with them ‘We’re going on a bike ride…’ song, then make pictures using muddy tyres rolled across paper (older children to write verses of the song or poems first, then decorate with muddy tyre tracks), possibly also make plastic bag key chains, then (if possible) some bicycologists arrive nearby and we go out to meet them, listen to music, have a go on the open mic, get a ride on one of the bikes, and generally have a little party (including some cake maybe)…
9> 2 hours max, 1 hour min.