is an arts-driven response to the encroachment of hydraulic fracturing on New York City’s water supply. Beginning with the concept ‘Powered By Natural Ass,’ we created a system of bicycles with generators capable of powering concerts. Beginning with the concept ‘Powered By Natural Ass,’ we created a system of bicycles with generators capable of powering concerts. pedalpowernyc.org

fiscally sponsored by

Industriance

Gowanus | 2013

A collaboration between Rooftop Films, XO Projects, Bradford Reed, and Pedal Power NYC – the theme of the night, energy. Our contribution – a human-powered sound-system takeover. Audience members and volunteers provided the natural ass and amplified all of Bradford Reed’s musical equipment and PA. Groovin to the tunes, hundreds of guests and riders took in a night of contextual, inspiring programming.

Feel the Pedal Power this Saturday
Industriance: Blackout
Industriance on Flickr

photo credit: Hadley Stambaugh, Derek Klevitz (Rooftop Films)

Diamond

Gowanus | 2012

On the one-year anniversary of the NYC Celebrates Waterfest, the team produced Diamond as a gift to newlyweds Simon Luethi and On Megumi Akiyoshi, two members Pedal Power NYC team. Attendees danced in the center of the bicycle-powered LED diamond to the ass-powered recordings from the Waterfest.

Diamond on Flickr

photo credit: Anthony Marchesi, Jolynn Minnaar

NYC Celebrates Waterfest

Union Square | 2011

As a celebration of human will, ingenuity, and the NYC music scene, the free concert and festival at around Union Square Park called attention to the volatile energy/water nexus: E=H2O. The main stage featured soulful performances by Tom Chess, Masa (Didi Gutman of Brazilian Girls and Hector Castillo), Robert Granata, Vanessa Bley, and Gordon Voidwell.

Creative Resistance: Pedal Power NYC
NYC Celebrates Waterfest on Flickr

photo credit: Danielle Bernstein, Simon Luethi, Nick Demas, Deneka Peniston, Susan Roberts, J. Cooper, and Drew Beez

Natural Ass Sessions

Bushwick | 2011

Pedal Power NYC debuted as a part of the Bushwick Open Studios series. The Natural Ass Sessions invited art-goers, volunteers, and passers-by to power the rehearsals and performances of favorite local musicians: Masa, Gordon Voidwell, The Jason Lindner Band, Vanessa Bley, Tony Tixier, Patrick Higgins, The Impromptubes, Cradle Duende, and Tom Chess.

Bushwick Open Studios on Arts in Brooklyn
Off the Grid Rehearsals
The Natural Ass Sessions
Natural Ass Sessions on Flickr

tech & development

The Old American Can Factory

Pedal Power NYC is supported by a wide range of technology. Bicycle mechanics, microprocessor programming, and power conversion all play critical roles behind the scenes of a successful show.Unlike many bike-powered systems, the Pedal Power NYC system does not store power in batteries. Rather, the power runs directly to the stage so the bikers experience a one-to-one relationship with the music being played. When the music gets louder, the bikers have to work harder….when the pedals stop spinning, the music cuts-off.