The Melbourne Artbike Grand Prix is a conscious, cruelty free alternative to Melbourne Cup Day. Contestants in the Grand Prix ride custom artbikes as part of a knockout tournament.
The inaugural Melbourne Artbike Grand Prix was originally to be held at the Coburg Velodrome on the 1st November 2016, but is now being held this weekend on the 19th February 2017, coinciding with Coburg Cycle Club’s Open Day.
What’s an artbike?
An artbike is any non-racing bicycle that has been aesthetically altered, hand built or customised. This could be through the use of simple decorations through to the repurposing of old bike components to create your very own Franken-bike. Let your creative fancies take the lead.
What will the Grand Prix be?
Teams of four will compete in a relay style bike race, with rider interchanges required after each lap – with the first team past the post advancing to the next round. There will also be a solo rider category for those mavericks out there. The day will be held in charitable support of Bicycles For Humanity.
Who are Bicycles for Humanity?
In short, Bicycles For Humanity takes old bikes, refurbishes and ships them to impoverished regions of the world. These bikes, and the converted sea container bike workshops they are shipped in, become tools of empowerment, allowing access to health care, education, economic opportunity and wider community.
For more info, and to register, visit artbikegrandprix.org