The Spring Bike Party (not to be confused with Springbok Party) hit the streets of Ōtepoti last Friday night. Featuring bikes rigged with sound systems and lots of street dancing, it had “the vibe of a school disco and the agility of a snail”. The party consisted of around 50 people cycling around Ōtepoti, pumping “big tunes [transmitting] over FM” from stereo sound systems rigged up to several of the bikes, stopping at “secret urban locations” with the intention of claiming “our right to dance in the street.”
Bikes of all shapes and sizes were present, with attendees fully committed to organisers’ encouragement of “bicycle adornment”. The centrepiece was a “musical clown bike”: a bright pink kids bike, featuring a stereo as big as the bike tied down with inner tubes. Organiser Carl told Critic Te Ārohi that the musical clown bike project came first, and throwing a party to utilise it was the natural progression. Also featured was a “beach cruiser”: a bike at least twice the height of any other. One brave soul successfully mounted and rode it – it turned out to be their first time ever riding a bike. Hard act to follow, that.
The bike party proved that you don’t need a super tight schedule to have a great time. Indeed, the “secret locations” were so secret that no one actually knew them. Instead, someone would make a split second suggestion and head off, with others following the music. This sporadic spontaneity led to the party visiting scenic locales such as a multi-level car park, the Octagon, First Church, the Harbour and, of course, the Uni. One student, Ian, who was drinking at The Craic at the time, said that he “had never seen a more inviting biker gang in my life”, and that “that’s Dunedin, for you. No one really batted an eye.”
Much to the displeasure of Campus Watch, several of the party goers sent it through the Link, blasting DnB all the while. Alice, a 3rd year student studying at Central at the time, told Critic Te Ārohi, “It was so loud that I thought [the music] was coming from U bar!” (For legal purposes, Critic Te Ārohi would like to clarify that it was not involved and advises students to “Walk Their Wheels”. We definitely do not advocate for popping sick wheelies in Central).
Students we spoke to seemed to be having a great time. 2nd year Jowan described the vibe as “chaotic and cool,” while Jacinta told Critic Te Ārohi they “came for a good vibe, and to meet like-minded people.” Even when the parade ended up in stale venues, they brought good vibes. “A space that’s so boring [like a car park] can be really fucking fun,” said Jowan. “A person smoking weed at the top [of the car park] definitely set the vibe.” One onlooker yelled: “You got this, guys; you can do it!” Another older pedestrian came over from a local brewery opposite the railway station to have a yarn, saying, “this is out there … bloody cool.”
Crooked Spoke member and Bike Party organiser Alex told Critic Te Ārohi that it would be “silly not to have another one”. He added, though, that it won’t be quite the same: “the spontaneity of it will make it different.”