Alan Barton is a freewheeler.

Angela Karen

Magnify

When Alan isn’t working as a photography assistant or shooting freelance, he’s riding around town, wheeling and dealing as one third of the Bici Coop – a community shop geared towards the “commuter hobbyist.” What started as group of “brocyclers” gathering for group bicycle rides, has rolled over into becoming an idea with a much wider vision for change. Their message is one about public health, about advocacy and about common interest camaraderie. It was also formed around an empowerment initiative. “When I know I can fix my bike,” he says, “it feels so much better to ride it.” The shop’s Rhodes Park location is an accessible ride for those “inside the bowl of the city.” Alan and his two female counterparts hope to draw cyclists of all levels of experience, but especially those that might be intimidated by the professional shops. Bike repair tools are expensive, and Bici exists to pool resources, get donations and make the hobby a more affordable, approachable option.

Web Exclusive:

Do your interests in photography and bicycling intersect, and if so, how?
I really like the idea of the bike coop. It's been really rewarding and really fun. I've met a lot of interesting peple, and I could use photography in that. I haven't really had time to photograph for the coop, but I'm looking forward to set up to do something like that.

What's your favorite kind of moment to snap on film?
I do a lot of stuff, from products, to food to copy work for artists. I prefer the spur-of-the-moment party photo. Just something's going on and I just happen to have my camera. And then, also, I love doing environmental portraits. Just people in their environments; people in their apartments. I did a series of people's lofts -- just their space that they exist in. I like doing documentary work.

Tell me about some of Bici's advocacy.
We write a lot of letters to a lot of people. Childhood obesity is huge. Obesity in general in the South is ridiculous. It's a public health standpoint. That's a huge aspect of what we do. There are also a lot of incentives for people to ride bikes from the federal government. The initial stimulus package gave employers a tax credit for providiging infrastructure for people to ride to work...if they install a shower, bike rack or storage facilities. 

Tell me about your bike.
Its name is Wilcat. There's a song by the band, Ratatat. I think we were at a dance party and I had my bike there, and I got the bike out and was dancing with it. I was just rolling it back and forth, turning on the blinkers. I really like the song, and it's kind of a reference to that.