Tour de Fat: Are you willing to trade your bike for a car?

Tour de Fat, New Belgium Brewing's traveling celebration of all things bicycle, rolls into Seattle's Gas Works Park on Saturday, August 8. The festivity is designed to raise awareness and participation in cycling as a form of transportation. Proceeds benefit the Bicycle Alliance of Washington and Bike Works.

This rolling carnival of creativity features a costumed bike parade, entertainment, a beer garden showcasing New Belgium beers, and a car-for-bike swap. Tour de Fat is actively seeking Seattleites who are willing to sign over their car title in exchange for a hand-built Black Sheep commuter bike. The volunteer is selected after submitting a video or essay describing their desire to live without a car for a year. Check New Belgium's website for Tour de Fat and car-for-bike swap info.

Two years ago, Bike Alliance member Jeremy Vrablik, entered the car-for-bike swap. "I guess I figured I had been harassing people for so long about getting out on their bikes that it seemed hypocritical when presented with the option, to not go for it," he recalled.

Jeremy was chosen as Seattle's car-for-bike recipient. At the 2007 Tour de Fat celebration, he hopped up on the stage, did a little dance, then handed over the keys to his 1991 Isuzu Rodeo. In return, Jeremy received "the most beautiful custom built Black Sheep cyclocross bike with panniers and a Bob trailer" to assist with his transition to life without a car.

Two years later, Jeremy is still living without a car. Says Jeremy, "No more traffic jams, no more searching for parking, no more paying for gas. Life is good!"

Volunteers Needed! The Bicycle Alliance of Washington is seeking volunteers to help with Tour de Fat on August 8. We need volunteers to check IDs, set up and tear down the event, and pour beer.
Contact Thom Skaanland ( tandemdreaming@earthlink.net ) if you'd like to help out.