Oakland residents taking to streets to promote peace

http://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2008/07/13/18515889.php


By Kamika Dunlap

Oakland Tribune

Article Last Updated: 07/11/2008 05:58:29 AM PDT


OAKLAND- Sunday's event, in which bike riders will roll on

their so-called scraperbikes — with spokes wrapped

in colorful shiny tin foil — will kick off at 2 p.m. at

the lake and end an hour later at DeFremery Park in

West Oakland.

Tyrone Stevenson Jr., aka "Baby Champ," and

founder of the scraperbike movement, says the bikes

are "art on wheels," and a vehicle to promote peace.

Scraperbike riders typically ride in large packs

similar to motorcycle clubs. Stevenson's Scraperbike

crew gained popularity through their video, which

was nominated as one of YouTube's Top 20 Best

Music Videos of 2007.

The ride organized by Bikes for Life is aimed at

educating young people about the importance of

bringing a gun truce to their communities.

"Riding bikes is our way of going 'green,' and

shows that black folks do care about our

environment and our neighborhoods," said Tony

Coleman, coordinator of Bikes for Life event.

There w ill be a barbecue and special performances,

featuring area artists Trunk Boiz and Queen Deelah

at DeFremery Park.

Coleman and others from Bike for Life hope the

momentum from this event will help them open a

bike shop one day at Lake Merritt. Coleman said he

envisions a shop where people can rent

scraperbikes to ride around the lake, take bike safety

classes and store their bikes.

Stevenson, the self-proclaimed "Scraperbike King,"

agreed.

"There's a lot of people dying from gun violence,''

Stevenson said. "Scraperbikes gives kids a positive

outlet and fixing or riding bikes can be a hobby."

Contact Kamika Dunlap at

kdunlap@bayareanewsgroup.com or 510-

208-6448.