Scrapertown

(Reposted from Causecast Video Blog)



In order to become a member of the Original Scraper Bike Team, you must: Be a resident of Oakland, CA. Be at least 7y/o or older. Retain A 2.0 Grade Point Average (GPA), Create your own Scraper Bike...(It Has To Be Amazing, Or Else You Can’t Ride.) A single-file line when riding. After 10 rides The Scraper Bike King and his Captains will decide if your bike is up to standards and if you can follow simple guidelines. After your evaluation we will consider you a member and honor you with an Original Scraper Bike Team Shirt. Only worn when Mobbin’ Stay posted to our website for all upcoming Scraper Bike Rides..." -- The Scraper Bike King
(from California Is A Place).

From the Original Scraper Bike website:
The Scraper Bike Movement seeks to capture the creativity of youth living within dangerous communities. It gives them a positive outlet that is fun, educational, and promotes healthy lifestyles. The Scraper Bike Movement offers youth a sustainable group of peers that is positive and motivating. We want to expand and enlighten young peoples perspective on life through fixing and painting bicycles. Our goal is to support youth entrepreneurship and cultural innovation.

From Streetfilms.org, "Oakland teens who coveted, but could not afford, scraper cars -- souped-up sedans painted with bright colors and with rims so large they scrape the undercarriage. Scraper bikes are such a hit that many teens skip the cars and keep pedaling well past the age of 16." (read the full article and see StreetFilms' short video on Scraper Bikes here).

Tyrone "Baby Champ" Stevenson, barely 21 years old, is trying to end violence in Oakland and create a gun truce, while also setting an example for kids and inspiring and motivating them to stay in school. The kids learn skills, advocate safety on the streets, keep the air clean, exercise, and have resources to work creatively. In the words of Stevenson, Lets Keep It Possitive, Keep It Peaceful, And Keep It For The Kids...2010 Is The Year To Win, And The Scraper Bike Movement Is Here To Stay...

This short documentary, produced by Drea Cooper and Zackary Canepari (California Is A Place), will be shown at the Cannes film festival this year. I hope everyone gets a chance to see it.
(EDIT: Scrapertown by Cooper and Canepari is not the short documentary to be screened at Cannes this year, The Scraper Bike King by Rafael Flores will be. See the trailer here)