Photos of the London ride out in protest of knife crime
- Text by Huck
- Photography by Ben Brooks
On 27 August, the BikeStormz community returned to the streets of central London for it’s annual ride out against knife crime. It was hard to miss the spectacle of over a thousand bikers throwing their front wheels into the air and wheelieing their way across the road. The event has been happening since 2014, with the movement since spreading to cities across the UK from Birmingham to Liverpool, and to Paris and Amsterdam.
There were many familiar faces at the event, along with new faces, such as Roger, who has been riding for 15 years, but only two months as part of the BikeStormz community. “The BMX days are back – it’s come back alive!” he told Huck. “There ain’t nothing more to life than being out here on the one wheel, or two wheel!”
This year’s event came at a time when concern over the rate of knife violence in London is increasing; 2021 recorded the highest rate of teenage homicides in the capital city by a knife or sharp implement on record. BikeStormz founder Mac Ferrari gave a speech about the importance of family and community, and making the most of these moments to talk to each other, squash any beef you might have with someone here and ride together – even if it’s just for a day, it’s positive. He invited Marvin Herbert to speak to the kids, talking about his former gang life and how much he’d lost, emphasising the pointlessness of it all. Additionally, he reiterated the theme of family that this BikeStormz was focused on, while wearing the white “family” t shirts made for the day.
Photographer Benjamin Brooks was there to capture the action.
Follow Benjamin Brooks on Instagram.
Enjoyed this article? Like Huck on Facebook or follow us on Twitter.
You might like
Sepia splashed memories of Britain’s ’90s squatting and free party scene
Bygones — Moving into a Hackney squat at the age of 19, Tom Hunter spent years living on London’s edges, while documenting the vibrant, creative community and culture that it enabled. Huck’s art director Sam White chats to him about the freedom that existed, the collectivism and what’s been lost over the decades since.
Written by: Samuel White
The London sword fighters reviving medieval combat
Schola Gladitoria — Studying ancient textbooks and techniques, the historical European martial arts community duel with centuries old systems of engagement. Mads Jensen swings a blade in an Ealing church to find out more.
Written by: Mads Jensen
A decade of Palestinian skatepark graffiti gets turned into a clothing capsule
Concrete canvas — SkatePal’s new collection draws on artwork left by local skaters and visiting volunteers at the Asira Ash-Shamaliya concrete skatepark – the largest of its kind in Palestine.
Written by: Ella Glossop
A melancholic portrait of youth, rebellion and womanhood in Iran
And They Laughed At Me — Newsha Tavakolian has worked as a photographer all her adult life, as Iran underwent change, upheaval and conflict. Her new photobook explores the formative years of her eye and art amid generational strife, hope and disappointment.
Written by: Miss Rosen
The real life mermaids of Florida’s Weeki Wachee Springs
Old Florida — A relic of pre-Disney tourism in the state, the show – which sees women perform athletic underwater tricks in a natural spring – has been running since 1947. Jack Burke attends, while reflecting on the fragility and fantasy of old America.
Written by: Jack Burke
Ra’ed Khan and the tireless work of Road to Freedom
Hurriyah — Having been providing frontline aid and support to refugees for over a decade, a new book featuring poetry by Omar Mooro traces the story of the NGO. In this chapter extract, founder and music executive Ra’ed Khan explains its origins.
Written by: Isaac Muk
