Wednesday: cyclists power Belleville Rendezvous screening in Windrush Square

It's not that local but as you will know if you have seen Belleville Rendezvous, this is a rather brilliant idea.


Wednesday, 23 June, 9pm in Windrush Square, Brixton

Cinema fans and cyclists will come together in Brixton’s Windrush Square on Wednesday night for the screening of an open aired film generated entirely by pedal power.

Belleville Rendezvous (PG) will be projected onto the side of the famous Bovril building in Brixton using a fully pedal powered projection system, run by up to 10 cyclists at a time.

The special screening has been organised by Lambeth Council as part of Bike Week 2010.

Local people are being invited to come along, either with their bike to be involved in the powering of the screening, or just to watch the show.

The system uses 10 bikes and 20 legs to power 600W of audio visual equipment.

It includes an interactive feedback system that informs cyclists and the audience about how much power they’re generating. When the energy supply is running low i.e. people aren’t pedalling hard enough, a LED lighting kicks in and the ambient light changes colour. The system has been designed by Magnificent Revolution, a London based not-for profit education project

The idea is get people thinking about their energy use, and the effect it has on climate change. Lambeth Council is supporting Bike Week and challenging everyone to rethink their everyday journeys and switch to cycling as the most convenient way to get around.

Suzy Harrison from Lambeth Council’s Sustainable Transport Unit, said: “This promises to be a great night and I’m sure lots of local cyclists will come out and lend us their legs for the evening. The message of Bike Week is that if we all rethink our everyday journeys, and cycle those shorter distances instead of jumping in the car, we can have a real impact on congestion and pollution, and of course get fit at the same time. Lambeth Council offers subsidised cycle confidence training courses to all those who live, work or study in the borough, which are a great way of developing the skills and confidence to cycle safely on London’s roads.”

Seating will be provided in the form of inflatable tractor tyre inner tubes, but people are welcome to bring their own foldable chairs. Warm clothing is advisable.