Bikes vs Cars

Bikes vs Cars is a thought-provoking documentary film from 2015 brought to life under the watchful eye of director Fredrik Gertten. The film invites the audience to join a journey along with its protagonists, Aline Cavalcante, Dan Koeppel, and Raquel Rolnik, exploring the never-ending conflict between cyclists and drivers in a society that's disturbingly dependent on cars.

Based in various cities worldwide, the film amplifies the voice of the global cycling community, exploring the history of bike usage, the struggles of cyclists in car-centric cities, and the potential environmental and health benefits of increased cycling. With a running time of 90 minutes, Bikes vs Cars brings to the fore the rising crisis in our public space where sprawling urbanization, fuelled by the car industry's promotion - indeed, insistence - of private car usage has led to inefficient cities, health effects, and climate harm.

The film is anchored around Aline Cavalcante, a bike advocate from Sao Paulo – one of the world's most dangerous cities for biking, and Dan Koeppel, who has been fighting for bike infrastructure in Los Angeles. Cavalcante and Koeppel bring personal and emotional narratives that help illustrate broader issues related to the battle between cyclists and drivers. As they navigate through bustling cities and perilous traffic, they voice their experiences and insights, advocating for the vital need of bike-friendly cities and infrastructure.

Meanwhile, Raquel Rolnik, former United Nations Special Rapporteur on adequate housing and professor of Architecture and Urbanism at the University of São Paulo, lends her voice as an expert on urban affairs. Rolnik helps put the battle for the streets in context, providing critical commentary on the urbanization patterns, governance, and transportation policies that privilege cars over bikes.

Bikes vs Cars maintains a global perspective, showcasing scenes from all over the world – Copenhagen, Los Angeles, Sao Paolo, Toronto and more. Each city provides a unique insight into the bicycle versus car battle, thus adding layers to the narrative and contributing to the evocative nature of the film. We see well-organized bike activism in Toronto, the constant struggle between bike ambassadors and car drivers in LA, and the appalling number of cyclist deaths in São Paulo, among other sobering realities.

While focusing largely on the bikers' outlook, the film does not aim to vilify car users but, instead, makes a pointed critique of the vehicle-centric urban planning and societal norms that discourage alternative modes of transportation. The film is not against the use of cars but opposes their dominance and our congested, car-dependent cities. The viewers are encouraged to question who are cities for? And how can we adapt our cities to suit all citizens and not just motorists?

The analysis of the economic matrices surrounding the automotive industry, lobbyist groups, and public policy development play a significant role in the film. It gives the audience an insight into the often-unseen drivers (pun intended) of the debate, uncovering the economic and political powers that manage to keep cars high on the global agenda while often suffocating the voices of alternative and sustainable modes of commuting.

Beyond casting light on the battle between bikers and drivers, Bikes vs Cars undertakes a larger task of highlighting a looming environmental crisis and the need to act urgently. It portrays the bike as a tool for change – a simple yet effective solution to many of our pressing urban, environmental, and health issues. The bicycle stands as a symbol of freedom, sustainability, and healthy city living, and the film evokes thought on the role it can play in shaping our future cities.

It is no surprise that Bikes vs Cars has attracted such a diverse audience, from urbanists and environmentalists to everyday citizens interested in improving their cities. Its blend of personal narratives and larger discussions on city planning and environmental sustainability generates an impactful dialogue that goes beyond the bike lanes issue to interrogate our prevailing patterns of city life organization. The film is both a clarion call for change and a loving tribute to the power of the humble bicycle.