Author: Laura

A mental journey, not just 2000km by bike

The Ecotopia Biketour 2010 travelled ecologically for 10 weeks through England, Wales, France, Belgium, the Netherlands and Germany. People came from all corners of Europe to form this mobile ecological activist community, to create one hell of a jam-packed summer project. After 6 months of organising the route, I was glad when it finally started and I was doing things with people face to face. There was a million things left to organise, but they would have to be done on the way. I said it was so good to be on my bike, with a map and a good…

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The World of Bicycle Gangs: more than just a sustainable version of the Hells Angels

Bicycle Gangs can take the form of a community of convinced environmental activists travelling across Europe for a few months, others call themselves a „worldwide drinking club with a bicycle problem” (Chopadeiros). One thing the Ecotopia biketour , which is conquering Europe regularly since 1989, and not only the Chopadeiros but also their Russian associates RASTA Bike (Russian Association of Self-made Transport Appliances) have in common is the extremely sustainable way they cruise around. Another thing is fun, naturally. Yet, the Ecotopia biketour is a “eco-mobile do-it-yourself activist community”, whose way of living together comes closest to a commune. RASTA…

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Climate activists in front of Danish Embassy in Brussels

From De wereld van morgen (The world of tomorrow) Brussel — Enkele tientallen activisten protesteerden woensdag voor de Deense ambassade in Brussel. Ze eisen de onmiddellijke stopzetting van de juridische vervolging van zeven klimaatactivisten. De zeven activisten namen deel aan acties tijdens de Klimaattop in Kopenhagen afgelopen december. Volgens de actievoerders is deze vervolging een criminalisering van de milieubeweging.

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