In conjunction with the opening of The Common’s, a new gathering space on Headlands’ Center for the Arts, the Studio for Urban Projects with Packard Jennings, will host a “pedal-in” to the Headlands campus. The ride will feature a series of talks focused on bicycling as a way of claiming public space from our city streets to our parklands.

Public space is critical to assembling political energy and informing community dialog. Modeled after the “Ins” (teach-ins, sit-ins, bike-ins) of the 1960’s and the political action they inspired, the day will connect the history of bicycling, the environmental movement, and social protest to contemporary action. It will provoke us to consider the commons as an opportunity for shared action.

Our speakers will not only conjure our history but provoke us to think about the way it may guide future political participation. They include Chris Carlsson, a writer, activist, historian and the Director of Shaping San Francisco; Matt Gonzales,the former president of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors and a Green Party mayoral and vice-presidential candidate; Brian Wiedenmeier, the Director of the San Francisco Bicycle Coalition, and additional special guests. This roaming conversation will be moderated by Studio for Urban Project’s Alison Sant.

The route will start at the foot of Market Street, follow the San Francisco shoreline, cross the Golden Gate Bridge and go through the Baker-Barry Tunnel. All ages are welcome. Please bring your own bike. Several family friendly e-bikes are available on a first-come, first-served basis from Vie Bikes. E-mail info@studioforurbanprojects.org to reserve.

This event has been commissioned by the Headlands Center for the Arts. We are grateful for the collaboration of the San Francisco Bicycle Coalition and Ink.Paper.Plate. Studio.