London’s young bike riders gather for moving Grenfell vigil
- Text by Dominique Sisley
- Photography by Theo McInnes
This Saturday, hundreds of young bike riders gathered in Ladbroke Grove to pay their respects to the victims of the Grenfell fire tragedy. The cyclists – who were mostly in their teens and early twenties – were taking part in a free mass ride-out, biking across London from Tower Bridge to Wembley. After reaching the Grenfell site mid-route, they stopped to gather for a moving two-minute silence.
The regular ride-out, otherwise known as Bikestormz, sees thousands of young cyclists in the UK horde together for meet-ups. Bonding over their shared passion for riding, they weave through traffic, show off tricks, and play chicken with cars. In a country that’s offering less and less to its young people, Bikestormz has become a strong social movement.
“Going to Grenfell shows that the movement is respectful, despite how people who don’t get it see them,” explains Theo McInnes. The Huck photographer tagged along for the weekend’s ride, and felt warmed by the community spirit on show.
“They went there to show respect for the people who had so tragically lost their lives. It was a statement really, showing everyone that they are not disrespectful and that, as a movement, they do care about others – in a city where so many may see them as menaces.”
Learn more about the Bikestormz movement in Huck 60 – The Outsider Issue or online.
Enjoyed this article? Like Huck on Facebook or follow us on Twitter.
You might like
A reading of the names of children killed in Gaza lasts over 18 hours
Choose Love — The vigil was held outside of the UK’s Houses of Parliament, with the likes of Steve Coogan, Chris O’Dowd, Nadhia Sawalha and Misan Harriman taking part.
Written by: Isaac Muk
Youth violence’s rise is deeply concerning, but mass hysteria doesn’t help
Safe — On Knife Crime Awareness Week, writer, podcaster and youth worker Ciaran Thapar reflects on the presence of violent content online, growing awareness about the need for action, and the two decades since Saul Dibb’s Bullet Boy.
Written by: Ciaran Thapar
James Massiah: “As much as the social contract is lost, there’s a freedom with that”
Bounty Law — With the release of his latest album, we sat down with the rapper-poet to chat about his new sonic Western, the boom in alternative poetry events, and whether the social contract is broken.
Written by: Isaac Muk
Meet the trans-led hairdressers providing London with gender-affirming trims
Open Out — Since being founded in 2011, the Hoxton salon has become a crucial space the city’s LGBTQ+ community. Hannah Bentley caught up with co-founder Greygory Vass to hear about its growth, breaking down barbering binaries, and the recent Supreme Court ruling.
Written by: Hannah Bentley
The grit and glory of British toe wrestling
The Obsessives — Born out of a Derbyshire pub in the ’70s, the foot clenching sport has gradually built a cult following in rural England. Ginnia Cheng reported on toe wrestling’s London debut from a south Tottenham pub.
Written by: Ginnia Cheng
Southbank Centre reveals new series dedicated to East and Southeast Asian arts
ESEA Encounters — Taking place between 17-20 July, there will be a live concert from YMO’s Haruomi Hosono, as well as discussions around Asian literature, stage productions, and a pop-up Japanese Yokimono summer market.
Written by: Zahra Onsori
