Two Wheels 2 God, a 2019 black and white photograph of a young member of the Bike Life Movement on an ATV popping wheelie. Photo: Julien James in Godspeed, an intimate encounter with DC BikeLife

The controversy surrounding DC BikeLife Movement is at the center of Godspeed, a photography exhibition that provides an intimate and behind the scene look at this subculture that has put the D.C. police on the edge.

BY KAZAD

WASHINGTON. D.C. – BikeLife and the controversy surrounding ATVs, mini bikes, and dirt bikes riders on D.C. streets are at the center of a new exhibition at Homme DC. Titled Godspeed: A New Perspective on DC’s Controversial Subculture, the exhibition features the work of the contemporary photographer Julien James.  The photography show presents an intimate perspective of the misunderstood, yet abundant DC BikeLife community.

A subculture of life in D.C., BikeLife is so notorious that it is labeled a menace to society.  At issue are the ATVs, mini bikes, and dirt bikes riders carelessly tearing through D.C. streets. Many people, including the D.C. police, have raised questions about the dangers the riders pose to pedestrians, commuters, and motorists. There are many examples of those risks everywhere.

On YouTube, Instagram, and elsewhere, there are videos of riders running through red lights, weaving in and out of cars, driving the wrong way, and on sidewalks. While some cover their faces to protect their identity, others flaunt their faces as they ride showing their skills by performing stunts like popping wheelies.  These stunts sometimes happen in front of the D.C. police officers. Many D.C. residents are frustrated by the inability of the police to curb the chaos perpetrated by bikers.  Therefore, the question many are asking is “Can D.C. Police stop ATV, mini bike and dirt bike riding in the District?”

Godspeed: Police Vs Bikers

Across the DMV, there are reports that the recklessness of the bikers have resulted in accidents and even death of the riders or pedestrians. To curb the impact of bikers in the DC area, the police sometimes chase the bikers on land and in the air. They have also impounded many ATVs, mini bikes, and dirt bikes. Ironically, none of that has helped curb the DC BikeLife activities. In fact, instead of abating, the DC BikeLife has continued to grow, attracting many young people who are fascinated by the lifestyle.  

However, while some people are quick to acknowledge the risk associated with bikers carelessly navigating D.C. streets, others see it as a fun activity. There are many BikeLife activities in D.C.  Events like DMV BikeLife Rideout, Washington D.C. BikeLife Sunday Fun Day, DC BikeLife Spring, DC BikeLife “RIP Head Ride Out” and the Go-Go music festival have attracted large crowds.  

Bike Life Movement Controversy

The controversy surrounding the danger associated with DC BikeLife has resulted in finger-pointing. While the police are pointing to the bikers as the ones endangering people’s lives, the bikers are pointing back, saying the greatest public safety threat is the police. They point out that although the “No Chase” polices in Baltimore, Washington D.C., Philadelphia and New York forbids the police from chasing or engaging them in high pursuits, they still chase them with their cruisers. The police chase, they contend, often results in accidents and deaths.  

Julien embarked on the Godspeed project to present an intimate perspective of the misunderstood DC Bike Life community and address the controversy surrounding DC BikeLife: “Due to the large number of controversy riders in the region face, I aimed at maintaining an objective point of view so I don’t have much input to share on the dangers.”

World of the Riders

Naturally curious, another reason Julien took up the project is to provide a glimpse into the world of the riders as well as address “the misrepresentation and misunderstanding of black culture.” He adds, “I wanted to provide a platform for this particular subculture and present an opportunity for another narrative to be told.” 

For the Godspeed project, James embedded himself with a group of riders and exercised due diligence photographing and recording them at work. Julien’s adventure in the world of riders was eye-opening. Unlike many people, he experienced firsthand that a lot goes into becoming a street rider, including a commitment to perfecting the craft and skills that are never visible to those who experience the riders on the streets. That is the story in many of the images in Godspeed. The art exhibition includes large hanging photographs of riders performing daring acts. There is also a short documentary video installation highlighting details of what it takes to be a rider or be part of the DC BikeLife experience.  

Godspeed Riders

The images in Godspeed are dramatic and compelling. One photograph titled Gravity captures a rider standing on the back of his ATV as he rides through the street. One leg is on the back rail while the other braces the machine.  Wearing a White Tee shirt and jeans shorts, the man uses his weight to raise the front part of the ATV in the air and maintain balance. This is not a maneuver for the faint-hearted. However, the man seems to be enjoying himself. His hands are not on the ATV handles but in the air as if dancing. Another image titled Two Wheels 2 God captures a young man sitting on his ATV popping wheelie with no hand on the handles. The back of the ATV is close to the ground while the front section is in the air.  He is like some daredevil on wheels.

Signifiers for BikeLife

These images represent what have become signifiers for BikeLife in states across the country. However, for many bikers, BikeLife goes beyond the dangerous maneuvering people see on the streets. This is why Julien’s exhibition is important. It provides an insight into the individuals who are part of this subculture, many of who have found a sense of belonging in this community and society. The sense of communality and brotherhood among members is a major attraction. It is “a group of friends forged into a family bound by a shared passion. It’s more than a celebration of a vibrant subculture,” he said.  

That spirit of togetherness was on full display after the death of KTMP and Big 28, two well-known members of the DC BikeLife.  Members of the BikeLife community rode through the DC streets to celebrate their lives and remind people about gun violence. The motto was “Bikes up guns down Unity.” There have also been rides for birthdays, marriages, and other important events. Godspeed shows that there is more than meets the eyes when it comes to DC BikeLife. Julien puts it succulently: “My biggest takeaway was how large and widespread the Bike Life culture and network is across the country, level of commitment and dedication to perfecting their craft, and the tradition and legacy involved.”

Bike Life Movement Clothing and Style

The BikeLife movement is spreading across states and countries. In the United Kingdom and across Europe, there are BikeLife movements springing up everywhere. Many in the fashion industry have noticed the growth and cashing in on the development. There is a BikeLife clothing industry developing unique BikeLife clothing for riders and bikers. BikeLife apparels and clothing include sweatshirts, hoodies, sneakers, and motorcycle apparel. Some of the bikers in Julien’s photographs have these apparels on including BikeLife vest and T-shirts. Although men dominate the BikeLife movement, there are few women in some of the groups.  Consequently, many designers are designing for women who are part of the BikeLife movement.   

About Julien James

Julian began taking photographs around 2004 when his mother gave him a camera. He caught the photography bug and has not looked back since then. Although he studied psychology, psychology, he could not shake the calling of photography. Julien began his photography career with portrait photography. “My work is anchored in black and white photography that documents portraits, places, and things,” he explained. Julien has worked with fashion brands and modeling agencies in Los Angeles. He has also been featured in Vogue Italia. 

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