Scraper Bike Information, Resources, Songs

If you haven't seen a scraper bike, one may be coming to your area in the future -and you might want to keep an eye on the trend. With roots going back to the Hyphy music movement in San Francisco and Oakland, scraper bikes have gotten national attention and, perhaps, the chance to spread into a major movement nationwide.

With gas prices being so high, scraper bicycles can be a low-cost alternative to even the cheapest cars. To keep scraper bikes from seeming mundane, candy wrappers and soda bottle labels may be recycled and customized to make the bikes stand out, catch people's attention and make a statement, proving that alternative transportation doesn't have to be bland or boring.

Scraper bikes - what are they?

According to the Urban Dictionary definition here: www.urbandictionary.com/define.php scraper bikes go back to the Hyphy movement in the San Francisco Bay Area and Oakland. Hyphy was connected to certain music artists who often got their start in California, including E-40 and others. While reactions to the Trunk Boiz video has been mixed - with some cheering and others jeering (based on comments at YouTube) - they also have helped to put scraper bikes on the map. Tyrone Stevenson Jr, also known as Baby Champ, has been a major part of the scraper bike trend.

Based on the scraper bikes I've seen, I'd describe them as being colorful and flashy, with wit and humor being part of the mix when it comes to making and displaying these. Before there were scraper bikes, there were scraper cars but it makes sense that high gas prices could have had a trickle down effect, just as it does in the economy, with bikes being cheaper to buy and customize than cars. This is especially true if the materials used to customize bikes are recycled labels and wrappers from candy and soft drinks.

Scraper bikes - getting national attention, recently helped by Trunk Boiz scraper bike video

One recent feature about these innovative, usually one of a kind, bicycles, appeared on NPR here: www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php with a link to the Trunk Boiz video on YouTube which has set off such a round of controversy and comments - some very positive and other reactions not so positive. The video was already getting plenty of buzz and the NPR interview may have cranked things up another notch. Scraper bikes are grabbing attention!

Ever seen a scaper bike?

While it is possible to describe these colorful, attention grabbing bikes (often starting from found or inexpensive used bicycles), it really helps to see them, going from abstract descriptions to concrete examples. If you want to start by looking at some online photos, go to sites like the East Bay Bicycle Coalition here: www.ebbc.org/ and put scraper bike or scraper bikes in the top right corner of the search box. You can find out how to get links to photos and connect with others who are having bicycle rallies which feature these unique bicycles. Fruitvale Village in Oakland is an area where plenty of scraper bikes have been reported. For more info about that, simply contact the Easy Bay Bicycle Coalition by using the link above or call (510- 533-7433).

Scraper bike info - how to make one

Your best bet is networking with other scraper bike enthusiasts, sharing info and looking at photos you find - or going to a bike rally and paying attention to what you see. Remember, being innovative and using recycled materials is a part of this movement that has roots in the California hyphy music scene and other cultural and social trends. Also, keep in mind that there is some controversy when it comes to scraper bikes. Some call them trashy and silly while others think they are a sign of taking what you've got and turning it into art. All you have to do is read the comments on YouTube videos and scraper message boards to see the diversity of opinion out there about this trend.

If you really want a customized scraper bike, either contact the East Bay Bicycle Coalition or another local bike company or store. Ask questions. Learn from others who are willing to provide help or info. Alternatively, you can try a bike forum like Velospace at: www.velospace.org/welcome and find plenty of examples of scraper bikes and people talking about them.

Scraper bikes may be helping to promote Oakland bikeways

The Oakland Bicycle Master Plan is designed to greatly increase the number of bike paths and bikeways in Oakland. With scraper bikes now in the news, perhaps this will accelerate the completion of bikeways in Oakland. If so, plenty of Oakland bicyclers could benefit, not just those who ride scraper bikes. To find out about bikeways in Oakland, check here: www.oaklandpw.com/Page122.aspx for Oakland bicycling, bike paths, lanes, maps and routes.

Any movement that helps increase bicycle paths and bikeways, whether in Oakland or nationwide, may have positive effects. I'm keeping an eye on the scraper bike movement!

Sources
1. Scraper Bike Fever Spreads, Thanks to YouTube: NPR, Weekend Edition, Sept 13:www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php
2. Urban Dictionary definition of scraper bikes: www.urbandictionary.com/define.php
3. Velospace: www.velospace.org/welcome
4. East Bay Bicycle Coaliton: www.ebbc.org/
5. Oakland bikeway information, City of Oakland Public Works Agency: www.oaklandpw.com/Page122.aspx