Cita en Bici / Bike Date
Cita en Bici / Bike Date is an ongoing practice based research project, begun in 2013, conducted in South and North American cities. An accompanied bicycle ride for 2 people, the participant and the artist, Cita en Bici / Bike Date documents the spatial and environmental perceptions of the female identified cyclist while on the road using gps, wireless microphone and recorder, gopro, line drawing, and conversation.
Cita en Bici / Bike Date begins when the artist meets the participant at the start of their ride. To begin, the artist provides basic bicyle maintainance if needed, followed by the participant’s commute of choice. The artist usually follows the participant during the commute recording the participant’s site of experience.
Cita en Bici / Bike Date addresses mobility, gender, and care labor through a radical research methodology.
As an active embodied reinterpretation of public infrastructure, the participant’s description may include variegated forms of cultural information and experiences about surrounding landscapes and society. This can include information regarding personal safety, cycling commutes between home and work, school, or other care labor responsibilities and locations.
Presented as multi-media installations specific to each city where the project is conducted, Cita en Bici / Bike Date shifts the perception of female identified cyclists from roadway “others” to the sisters, mothers, daughters, aunties, grandmas, and any fem/ trans identifying individuals who are also cyclists. Cita en Bici / Bike Date connects the audience to their cities and communities in new, transparent ways.
Cita en Bici / Bike Date has been exhibited in Mexico, Colombia, Canada and the United States as multi-media installations. As a framework for urban geographies, urban planning, and new methods of social research, Cita en Bici / Bike Date has been presented at American Association of Geographers, Urban Land Institute, Queens Museum, and in publications for Enjust.

Wireless equipment used on Bike Date rides

Attaching wireless microphone to Bike Date participant's helmet strap

Participant and her children en route to child care, Monterrey Mexico

Age or cycling ability is not a barrier to participation, Buffalo NY

I follow participants on their commutes, Buffalo NY

Sometimes I lead, Bogota Colombia

Bike Date stories as testimony to place are distributed as a laminated 4 page booklet with access to hear participant's recorded narration via qr code, Buffalo NY

Multi-media installation, No Automatico, Monterrey Mexico

Reproduction of city policy that states roadway useage heirarchy. Situated as a carpet to be walked upon signifies the reality of this policy in practice, Monterrey Mexico
Participant's images in large format, Monterrey Mexico

Up close and personal, Monterrey Mexico

Participant stories via QR code, Bogota Colombia

Participant stories via QR code, Bellevue WA

Presenting Bike Date at Queens Museum, Queens, New York