Community Bicycle Programs in Amsterdam?
Hello all--
I'm in Amsterdam as part of a year long journey across five continents to study bicycle cultures, and I'm wondering if anyone on the list knows about community bicycle programs in the Netherlands--particularly in Amsterdam. Any tips or leads are greatly appreciated!
I found "Smerig" yesterday--a very well organized and 25 year old co-op operating in formerly squatted but now legal space.
Any other suggestions are welcome!
Best,
Anthony Siracusa www.anthonysiracusa.blogspot.com +31 64 75 06 507 Thomas J. Watson Fellow, 2009-2010 People Using Pedal Power: Global Bicycling Communities www.watsonfellowship.org
Hello Anthony,
Yes, the Smerig people are great, glad to hear they are back from
summer vacation.
I'm working on starting a community bike center in Amsterdam Noord,
right now what I have available is the downstairs of a community youth
center, where I teach bike repair workshops to kids. I'll bd a new
series starting soon after I get back from California... (where I am
right now, visiting family)
How long will you be in Amsterdam? We'll be returning there on
September 12th. I would love to get together with you, if you will
still be there!
Sincerely,
Wendy Monroe
On 05 Sep 2009, at 10:47, Anthony Siracusa wrote:
Hello all--
I'm in Amsterdam as part of a year long journey across five
continents to study bicycle cultures, and I'm wondering if anyone on
the list knows about community bicycle programs in the Netherlands-- particularly in Amsterdam. Any tips or leads are greatly appreciated!I found "Smerig" yesterday--a very well organized and 25 year old co- op operating in formerly squatted but now legal space.
Any other suggestions are welcome!
Best,
Anthony Siracusa www.anthonysiracusa.blogspot.com +31 64 75 06 507 Thomas J. Watson Fellow, 2009-2010 People Using Pedal Power: Global Bicycling Communities www.watsonfellowship.org
Thethinktank mailing list Thethinktank@bikecollectives.org To unsubscribe, send a blank email to TheThinkTank-leave@bikecollectives.org To manage your subscription, plase visit: http://lists.bikecollectives.org/listinfo.cgi/thethinktank-bikecollectives.o...
If I was in msterdam, I would try to look up local info on the Provos http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Provo_%28movement%29. They were an Amsterdam based activist/anarchist group in the 1960's that did some pretty amazing, non-violent, anti-authoritarian work, including the initiation of one of the original free bike programs - the White Bicycles http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/White_bicycle - which were the main influence for folks here in Austin to create the Yellow Bike Project in 1997.
The Provos have disbanded but as far as I know their history is fairly well documented in Amsterdam.
International Institute of Social History http://www.iisg.nl/archives/en/files/p/10817565.php
Cheers, Simon
http://www.austinyellowbike.org
Anthony Siracusa wrote:
Hello all--
I'm in Amsterdam as part of a year long journey across five continents to study bicycle cultures, and I'm wondering if anyone on the list knows about community bicycle programs in the Netherlands--particularly in Amsterdam. Any tips or leads are greatly appreciated!
I found "Smerig" yesterday--a very well organized and 25 year old co-op operating in formerly squatted but now legal space.
Any other suggestions are welcome!
Best,
Anthony Siracusa www.anthonysiracusa.blogspot.com http://www.anthonysiracusa.blogspot.com +31 64 75 06 507 Thomas J. Watson Fellow, 2009-2010 People Using Pedal Power: Global Bicycling Communities www.watsonfellowship.org http://www.watsonfellowship.org
Thethinktank mailing list Thethinktank@bikecollectives.org To unsubscribe, send a blank email to TheThinkTank-leave@bikecollectives.org To manage your subscription, plase visit: http://lists.bikecollectives.org/listinfo.cgi/thethinktank-bikecollectives.o...
Hear hear! The Provos were an amazing social movement from
1966-1968, although disappointingly little of their writings were
published in English.
Being finally able to read them has motivated me quite a bit to study
the Dutch language...
Provo Park ( since renamed Civic Center Park) was the Main Square in
front of City Hall in Berkeley, California where I grew up. Until
moving to Amsterdam, I had no idea who they were, or what they stood
for.
Information about them appears to have been censored, from the Central
Public Library in Amsterdam... my theory is that it is because they
smoke-bombed Queen Beatrix' wedding procession in Dam Square in 1966.
( and the Central Library was dedicated by Queen Beatrix' son..)
There is a small display on the Provo Movement in the Amsterdam
Historical Museum... a half block away from the Lievertje statue, the
Provo's mascot where the Happenings were held.
There is an anarchist bookstore in Amsterdam, a few doors up from
Rembrandt's House that carries one of the only books in English about
the Provos that I have ever found.., I think on Jodenbreestraat.
Right near Waterlooplein. I think the name of the store is 'Fort
Tschakoo' or something very similar.
Here is a scan of the original Provo Manifesto for the White Bicycle
Plan, however in Dutch language. Concluding with the cryptic phrase..
' A bicycle is something, but almost nothing!' ( Fiets is iets, maar
bijna niets!) I will always wonder exactly they meant by that...
http://www.gramschap.nl/provo/chrono/prpk5.jpg
Met vriendelijke groet,
Wendy Monroe
On 07 Sep 2009, at 19:46, Simon Z wrote:
If I was in msterdam, I would try to look up local info on the
Provos. They were an Amsterdam based activist/anarchist group in the
1960's that did some pretty amazing, non-violent, anti-authoritarian
work, including the initiation of one of the original free bike
programs - the White Bicycles - which were the main influence for
folks here in Austin to create the Yellow Bike Project in 1997.The Provos have disbanded but as far as I know their history is
fairly well documented in Amsterdam.International Institute of Social History
Cheers, Simon
http://www.austinyellowbike.org
Anthony Siracusa wrote:
Hello all--
I'm in Amsterdam as part of a year long journey across five
continents to study bicycle cultures, and I'm wondering if anyone
on the list knows about community bicycle programs in the
Netherlands--particularly in Amsterdam. Any tips or leads are
greatly appreciated!I found "Smerig" yesterday--a very well organized and 25 year old
co-op operating in formerly squatted but now legal space.Any other suggestions are welcome!
Best,
Anthony Siracusa www.anthonysiracusa.blogspot.com +31 64 75 06 507 Thomas J. Watson Fellow, 2009-2010 People Using Pedal Power: Global Bicycling Communities www.watsonfellowship.org
Thethinktank mailing list Thethinktank@bikecollectives.org To unsubscribe, send a blank email to TheThinkTank-leave@bikecollectives.org To manage your subscription, plase visit: http://lists.bikecollectives.org/listinfo.cgi/thethinktank-bikecollectives.o...
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Hey all--
These are fascinating documents you've provided! Thanks so much for the info!
Best, Anthony
On Mon, Sep 7, 2009 at 9:42 PM, Wendy Monroe wendy.monroe@usermail.comwrote:
Hear hear! The Provos were an amazing social movement from 1966-1968, although disappointingly little of their writings were published in English. Being finally able to read them has motivated me quite a bit to study the Dutch language...
Provo Park ( since renamed Civic Center Park) was the Main Square in front of City Hall in Berkeley, California where I grew up. Until moving to Amsterdam, I had no idea who they were, or what they stood for.
Information about them appears to have been censored, from the Central Public Library in Amsterdam... my theory is that it is because they smoke-bombed Queen Beatrix' wedding procession in Dam Square in 1966. ( and the Central Library was dedicated by Queen Beatrix' son..) There is a small display on the Provo Movement in the Amsterdam Historical Museum... a half block away from the Lievertje statue, the Provo's mascot where the Happenings were held.
There is an anarchist bookstore in Amsterdam, a few doors up from Rembrandt's House that carries one of the only books in English about the Provos that I have ever found.., I think on Jodenbreestraat. Right near Waterlooplein. I think the name of the store is 'Fort Tschakoo' or something very similar.
Here is a scan of the original Provo Manifesto for the White Bicycle Plan, however in Dutch language. Concluding with the cryptic phrase.. ' A bicycle is *something*, but almost *nothing*!' ( Fiets is iets, maar bijna niets!) I will always wonder exactly they meant by that...
*http://www.gramschap.nl/provo/chrono/prpk5.jpg*
Met vriendelijke groet,
Wendy Monroe
On 07 Sep 2009, at 19:46, Simon Z wrote:
If I was in msterdam, I would try to look up local info on the Provoshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Provo_%28movement%29. They were an Amsterdam based activist/anarchist group in the 1960's that did some pretty amazing, non-violent, anti-authoritarian work, including the initiation of one of the original free bike programs - the White Bicycleshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/White_bicycle- which were the main influence for folks here in Austin to create the Yellow Bike Project in 1997.
The Provos have disbanded but as far as I know their history is fairly well documented in Amsterdam.
International Institute of Social Historyhttp://www.iisg.nl/archives/en/files/p/10817565.php
Cheers, Simon
http://www.austinyellowbike.org
Anthony Siracusa wrote:
Hello all--
I'm in Amsterdam as part of a year long journey across five continents to study bicycle cultures, and I'm wondering if anyone on the list knows about community bicycle programs in the Netherlands--particularly in Amsterdam. Any tips or leads are greatly appreciated!
I found "Smerig" yesterday--a very well organized and 25 year old co-op operating in formerly squatted but now legal space.
Any other suggestions are welcome!
Best,
Anthony Siracusa www.anthonysiracusa.blogspot.com +31 64 75 06 507 Thomas J. Watson Fellow, 2009-2010 People Using Pedal Power: Global Bicycling Communities www.watsonfellowship.org
Thethinktank mailing listThethinktank@bikecollectives.org To unsubscribe, send a blank email to TheThinkTank-leave@bikecollectives.org To manage your subscription, plase visit:http://lists.bikecollectives.org/listinfo.cgi/thethinktank-bikecollectives.o...
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After a little digging, I came across thishttp://www.akpress.org/2006/items/provoamsterdamsanarchistrevolt, a book about them put out by AK Press.
The Provos sound pretty damn awesome.
On Mon, Sep 7, 2009 at 2:57 PM, Anthony Siracusa anthony@riseup.net wrote:
Hey all--
These are fascinating documents you've provided! Thanks so much for the info!
Best, Anthony
On Mon, Sep 7, 2009 at 9:42 PM, Wendy Monroe wendy.monroe@usermail.comwrote:
Hear hear! The Provos were an amazing social movement from 1966-1968, although disappointingly little of their writings were published in English. Being finally able to read them has motivated me quite a bit to study the Dutch language...
Provo Park ( since renamed Civic Center Park) was the Main Square in front of City Hall in Berkeley, California where I grew up. Until moving to Amsterdam, I had no idea who they were, or what they stood for.
Information about them appears to have been censored, from the Central Public Library in Amsterdam... my theory is that it is because they smoke-bombed Queen Beatrix' wedding procession in Dam Square in 1966. ( and the Central Library was dedicated by Queen Beatrix' son..) There is a small display on the Provo Movement in the Amsterdam Historical Museum... a half block away from the Lievertje statue, the Provo's mascot where the Happenings were held.
There is an anarchist bookstore in Amsterdam, a few doors up from Rembrandt's House that carries one of the only books in English about the Provos that I have ever found.., I think on Jodenbreestraat. Right near Waterlooplein. I think the name of the store is 'Fort Tschakoo' or something very similar.
Here is a scan of the original Provo Manifesto for the White Bicycle Plan, however in Dutch language. Concluding with the cryptic phrase.. ' A bicycle is *something*, but almost *nothing*!' ( Fiets is iets, maar bijna niets!) I will always wonder exactly they meant by that...
*http://www.gramschap.nl/provo/chrono/prpk5.jpg*
Met vriendelijke groet,
Wendy Monroe
On 07 Sep 2009, at 19:46, Simon Z wrote:
If I was in msterdam, I would try to look up local info on the Provoshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Provo_%28movement%29. They were an Amsterdam based activist/anarchist group in the 1960's that did some pretty amazing, non-violent, anti-authoritarian work, including the initiation of one of the original free bike programs - the White Bicycleshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/White_bicycle- which were the main influence for folks here in Austin to create the Yellow Bike Project in 1997.
The Provos have disbanded but as far as I know their history is fairly well documented in Amsterdam.
International Institute of Social Historyhttp://www.iisg.nl/archives/en/files/p/10817565.php
Cheers, Simon
http://www.austinyellowbike.org
Anthony Siracusa wrote:
Hello all--
I'm in Amsterdam as part of a year long journey across five continents to study bicycle cultures, and I'm wondering if anyone on the list knows about community bicycle programs in the Netherlands--particularly in Amsterdam. Any tips or leads are greatly appreciated!
I found "Smerig" yesterday--a very well organized and 25 year old co-op operating in formerly squatted but now legal space.
Any other suggestions are welcome!
Best,
Anthony Siracusa www.anthonysiracusa.blogspot.com +31 64 75 06 507 Thomas J. Watson Fellow, 2009-2010 People Using Pedal Power: Global Bicycling Communities www.watsonfellowship.org
Thethinktank mailing listThethinktank@bikecollectives.org To unsubscribe, send a blank email to TheThinkTank-leave@bikecollectives.org To manage your subscription, plase visit:http://lists.bikecollectives.org/listinfo.cgi/thethinktank-bikecollectives.o...
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-- Anthony Siracusa www.anthonysiracusa.blogspot.com +31 64 75 06 507 Thomas J. Watson Fellow, 2009-2010 People Using Pedal Power: Global Bicycling Communities www.watsonfellowship.org
Thethinktank mailing list Thethinktank@bikecollectives.org To unsubscribe, send a blank email to TheThinkTank-leave@bikecollectives.org To manage your subscription, plase visit:
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That's the book...
Funny that a public bike sharing plan was considered an idea
threatening to social order in 1967.
The original White Bicycles were all confiscated by the police, who
claimed that they could not be left around Amsterdam unlocked, for
anyone to ride. ( It allegedly encouraged theft!)
At least some noticeable progress has been made in bicycle public
policy since then.
The White Bicycle Plan, promoted from atop a Cargo Bike
On 08 Sep 2009, at 02:32, veganboyjosh@gmail.com wrote:
After a little digging, I came across this, a book about them put
out by AK Press.The Provos sound pretty damn awesome.
On Mon, Sep 7, 2009 at 2:57 PM, Anthony Siracusa
anthony@riseup.net wrote: Hey all--These are fascinating documents you've provided! Thanks so much for
the info!Best, Anthony
On Mon, Sep 7, 2009 at 9:42 PM, Wendy Monroe <wendy.monroe@usermail.com
wrote:
Hear hear! The Provos were an amazing social movement from
1966-1968, although disappointingly little of their writings were
published in English.Being finally able to read them has motivated me quite a bit to
study the Dutch language...Provo Park ( since renamed Civic Center Park) was the Main Square in
front of City Hall in Berkeley, California where I grew up. Until
moving to Amsterdam, I had no idea who they were, or what they stood
for.Information about them appears to have been censored, from the
Central Public Library in Amsterdam... my theory is that it is
because they smoke-bombed Queen Beatrix' wedding procession in Dam
Square in 1966. ( and the Central Library was dedicated by Queen
Beatrix' son..) There is a small display on the Provo Movement in
the Amsterdam Historical Museum... a half block away from the
Lievertje statue, the Provo's mascot where the Happenings were held.There is an anarchist bookstore in Amsterdam, a few doors up from
Rembrandt's House that carries one of the only books in English
about the Provos that I have ever found.., I think on
Jodenbreestraat. Right near Waterlooplein. I think the name of
the store is 'Fort Tschakoo' or something very similar.Here is a scan of the original Provo Manifesto for the White Bicycle
Plan, however in Dutch language. Concluding with the cryptic
phrase.. ' A bicycle is something, but almost nothing!' ( Fiets is
iets, maar bijna niets!) I will always wonder exactly they meant by
that...http://www.gramschap.nl/provo/chrono/prpk5.jpg
Met vriendelijke groet,
Wendy Monroe
On 07 Sep 2009, at 19:46, Simon Z wrote:
If I was in msterdam, I would try to look up local info on the
Provos. They were an Amsterdam based activist/anarchist group in
the 1960's that did some pretty amazing, non-violent, anti- authoritarian work, including the initiation of one of the original
free bike programs - the White Bicycles - which were the main
influence for folks here in Austin to create the Yellow Bike
Project in 1997.The Provos have disbanded but as far as I know their history is
fairly well documented in Amsterdam.International Institute of Social History
Cheers, Simon
http://www.austinyellowbike.org
Anthony Siracusa wrote:
Hello all--
I'm in Amsterdam as part of a year long journey across five
continents to study bicycle cultures, and I'm wondering if anyone
on the list knows about community bicycle programs in the
Netherlands--particularly in Amsterdam. Any tips or leads are
greatly appreciated!I found "Smerig" yesterday--a very well organized and 25 year old
co-op operating in formerly squatted but now legal space.Any other suggestions are welcome!
Best,
Anthony Siracusa www.anthonysiracusa.blogspot.com +31 64 75 06 507 Thomas J. Watson Fellow, 2009-2010 People Using Pedal Power: Global Bicycling Communities www.watsonfellowship.org
Thethinktank mailing list Thethinktank@bikecollectives.org To unsubscribe, send a blank email to TheThinkTank-leave@bikecollectives.org To manage your subscription, plase visit: http://lists.bikecollectives.org/listinfo.cgi/thethinktank-bikecollectives.o...
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-- Anthony Siracusa www.anthonysiracusa.blogspot.com +31 64 75 06 507 Thomas J. Watson Fellow, 2009-2010 People Using Pedal Power: Global Bicycling Communities www.watsonfellowship.org
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participants (4)
-
Anthony Siracusa -
Simon Z -
veganboyjosh＠gmail.com -
Wendy Monroe