Introducing: Queer Bike Gang

Queer Bike Gang

Queer Bike Gang (QBG) consists of a bunch of Queers who wanna ride bikes together around the Twin Cities. You’re perfect for QBG if: 1)You’re a homo/lez/bi/trans/genderqueer/label-free or ally 2)You sort of know how to ride a bike 3)You want to hang out with others like you.

Why a bike group for queers?  QBG was created in part to break away from the bar culture that LGBTQ people rely on to connect to other queers.  We seek to create a healthy and economical alternative where queers can connect.  Many of us also consider riding our bikes to be a reflection of our political beliefs on a culture of consumption and the environment, to name a few.  But most of us just join to have fun.

QBG gets together for rides about once a month and often incorporate social activities or volunteer work.  In the past year we have had outings to Northstar Roller Girls bouts, tons of beaches, and community biking events including ArtCrank, Brake for Breakfast and the Bike Film Festival.  We also make periodic trips to deliver QBG branded safer sex kits, courtesy of Minnesota AIDS Project.

QBG is best known for its annual race/ride Cirque du SoGay: “The Gayest Show on Earth,” which seeks to connect LGBTQ individuals to community resources and each other.  The “race” route features LGBTQ landmarks and requires participants to do goofy challenges along the way.

Information about Queer Bike Gang’s activities and annual race can be found at www.queerbikes.org, on facebook (Queer Bike Gang) and Twitter (qbg).

Thank you, EG, for the text and photos.