Bike Activism
There are currently 30 films on YouTube exploring various aspects of cycling with a particular focus on utility cycling (i.e. going from A to B by bicycle) on sit-up bikes.
Three bike-related issues dominate the films and the blog which hosts them, www.situp-cycle.com. Firstly, electric bikes, which Rubbo believes are a seductive way back to cycling for many Australians. Secondly, the sit-up style of riding, which Rubbo believes is one key to bicycles again becoming useful transport in Australia. Thirdly, the issue of compulsory helmets concerns him.
In his films and on his blog, he has been campaigning for helmet choice ever since he made two early films on Sue Abbott. Sue went to court to fight against wearing a helmet and won.
Presently, Rubbo and colleagues are focusing on bike share schemes here and around the world, believing that not only is Bike Share the way to dramatically grow city cycling, but that it is key to bringing back helmet choice. Rubbo is convinced bike share cannot work with compulsory helmets, as now being proven in Melbourne and Brisbane and for it to survive here - and it's too valuable to lose - a helmet exemption for such bikes is something he believes is required.
A bike share Youtube clip: Bike share and helmets dont mix?
He also believes that whilst Australia lags far behind Europe and Asia in utility bike use, the key to growth may be the realization that the shopping bike is a useful ally of the small business, which is everywhere undermined by large malls. When Chambers of Commerce realise that the bike shoppers can help high streets to thrive, the place of the bike in the Australian transport mix will be assured.
Rubbo has always been a social activist. He was a fervent campaigner against the Vietnam war, running risks with his protests, and more recently as well as his bike campaign, he's been making films for his village on issues of concern.
He has recently set up a bicycle art site, believing that art can bring cachet and status to the pleasurable business of riding bikes as transport. “When people start putting bike art on their walls”, he says, “then the image of the activity will change, and we will move away from the sports dominated image cycling presently has in Australia . Rubbo has been selling his art at bike events like Newcastle Bike fest and Sydney's spring cycle meet.
A clip about some of Mike's bike drawings: Bike drawings
Read more about this topic: Michael Rubbo