by Heidi Craig 

Bike lanes galore, Moms riding fixies and, of course, the glorious Bixi; Montreal bike culture has come a long way over the last couple years. The Bicycle Film Festival celebrates the majesty of two-wheelers with an assortment of bike-related parties, films, races and games. The BFF began in 2001, after festival founder Brendt Barbur was hit by a bus while cycling in New York City. Transforming a negative experience into a positive one, he started the fest as a means to champion the humble bicycle through music, art and film. Now in its tenth year, the BFF has chapters as far afield as Lisbon, Sao Paolo and Seoul. The Montreal chapter of the BFF (Toronto’s BFF starts up next week) goes down August 12-14.

Here’s what organizers have got in store: 

THURSDAY AUGUST 12:

9pm: BFF Kick Off Show w/ Doldrum + Esses + The Catlin Elm + Kale
Cheap beer & sweet tunes from bike-loving bands
$4. Jupiter Room – 3874 St. Laurent 

FRIDAY AUGUST 13: 
Screening at the National Film Board Cinerobotheque 
7pm: The Birth Of Big Air  
9pm: Riding The Long White Cloud

National Film Board – 1564 St. Denis 
10pm: After Party with Goldsprints

Broue Pub Brouhaha – 5860 de Lorimier (corner des Carrières) 

SATURDAY AUGUST 14 
 
12pm: CycleBird AlleyCat Race 
A true test of endurance, physical fitness and mental strength. Test your cycling skills against Montreal traffic and against some of the best riders in town.
Registration begins at 12pm. Race starts at 12:30pm sharp. Bring your own bag and lock.
$5. 1100 Rene Levesque W 

2pm: Bike Polo
End your race with a rousing bout of bike polo! Beginners welcome!
Schoolyard at the corner of Querbes and St. Viateur 

Screening at National Film Board Cinerobotheque 
5pm- Bike Shorts
7pm- The Cyclocross Meeting  
9pm- Urban Bike Shorts
National Film Board – 1564 St. Denis

9:30pm: Women in Gear After Party featuring Rouge + Django 
Le Belmont – 4483 St. Laurent

All info and all ticket sales available at: www.bicyclefilmfestival.com