The Bike Happening

Short Synopsis
Following the enigmatic founder of a monthly bike carnival, we discover how the ride is the expression of his philosophy.

Long Synopsis
One night a month in San Luis Obispo, CA, hundreds of people gather in a carnival atmosphere to ride their home-made bike creations dressed in hilarious costumes. The Bike Happening documents the unfolding events of the ‘organized coincidence’ known by the same name.

The story begins with the gathering of the riders and a sense of anticipation for the coming night. When the ride commences, interviews with participants are inter-cut with first-person footage, showing the freedom of the rider’s experience.

As the ride progresses, the viewer’s perspective becomes the same as one of the hundreds of riders that make up the moving mass of bikes. From this point of view they experience how the feeling of freedom can quickly turn to one of chaos.

Interviews with the police and founding members of the ride reveal a struggle to combat the mob mentality and keep the ride positive for the community. We learn how the Bike Happening originated in response to Critical Mass, a pro-bike protest ride that takes place in many major cities.

The Bike Happening’s enigmatic founder soon commands the viewer’s attention as he explains the ride’s inner workings, benefits, and meaning with his quirky eloquence. As we learn his three rules for life we see how the Bike Happening is the physical manifestation of his philosophy.

What first seems like a whimsical event is shown to have profound meaning. We see how one man has been able to meet his destiny, by ‘fertilizing the good in his community.