July 23rd, 2026 | by Brendt Barbur
Brendt Barbur is the Founding Director and creative force behind the Bicycle Film Festival (BFF), a global cultural platform celebrating the bicycle through film, art, and music. After being hit by a bus while cycling in New York City in 2000, Barbur transformed the experience into a mission to promote a more sustainable way of living, a mission that has since reached over one million attendees across more than 110 cities worldwide.
Brendt Barbur is the Founding Director and creative force behind the Bicycle Film Festival (BFF), a global cultural platform celebrating the bicycle through film, art, and music. After being hit by a bus while cycling in New York City in 2000, Barbur transformed the experience into a mission to promote a more sustainable way of living, a mission that has since reached over one million attendees across more than 110 cities worldwide.
His curatorial work spans the full spectrum of contemporary art, from street art to fine art, with exhibitions and collaborations featuring artists including Ai Weiwei, Alex Katz, Richard Prince, and KAWS. Under his leadership, BFF has partnered with major cultural institutions such as the Sydney Opera House, the Barbican London, and the Andy Warhol Museum, and featured work from cultural icons spanning music and film including Erykah Badu, Ridley Scott, and Spike Jonze.
That same range extends to industry: Barbur has produced films and led collaborations with global brands across fashion, sport, and entertainment, including Puma, Sony Pictures, Carhartt, Nike, and Chanel. His work, and its impact on community, sustainability, and creative culture, has been profiled by the BBC, The New York Times, Dazed, and GQ, establishing him as a catalyst for cultural transformation.
His curatorial work spans the full spectrum of contemporary art, from street art to fine art, with exhibitions and collaborations featuring artists including Ai Weiwei, Alex Katz, Richard Prince, and KAWS. Under his leadership, BFF has partnered with major cultural institutions such as the Sydney Opera House, the Barbican London, and the Andy Warhol Museum, and featured work from cultural icons spanning music and film including Erykah Badu, Ridley Scott, and Spike Jonze.
That same range extends to industry: Barbur has produced films and led collaborations with global brands across fashion, sport, and entertainment, including Puma, Sony Pictures, Carhartt, Nike, and Chanel. His work, and its impact on community, sustainability, and creative culture, has been profiled by the BBC, The New York Times, Dazed, and GQ, establishing him as a catalyst for cultural transformation.
Over 25 years ago I was doored into an oncoming New York City bus while riding my bicycle. This obviously was a negative experience. After the crash I had numerous unfortunate experiences of victim blaming. The conversation around the world was not what it is now. For example there were very few bike lanes. While rehabilitating for six months I had time to think and thought Ishould do something about this. If only people knew how beautiful cycling is. I thought, what better way to share with people cycling than through films. Then I thought of the Bicycle Film Festival. Our first year we had sold out shows. Then we grew over 26 years to hosting in 110 cities worldwide.
The first years of the Bicycle Film Festival it became evident that many of the cyclists on the streets in London, New York, Paris and other places were artists, filmmakers and designers. These are people that are open minded and see the world differently. The act of biking is human powered and balanced. This opens the mind.
Over 25 years ago I was doored into an oncoming New York City bus while riding my bicycle. This obviously was a negative experience. After the crash I had numerous unfortunate experiences of victim blaming. The conversation around the world was not what it is now. For example there were very few bike lanes. While rehabilitating for six months I had time to think and thought Ishould do something about this. If only people knew how beautiful cycling is. I thought, what better way to share with people cycling than through films. Then I thought of the Bicycle Film Festival. Our first year we had sold out shows. Then we grew over 26 years to hosting in 110 cities worldwide.
The first years of the Bicycle Film Festival it became evident that many of the cyclists on the streets in London, New York, Paris and other places were artists, filmmakers and designers. These are people that are open minded and see the world differently. The act of biking is human powered and balanced. This opens the mind.
KING OF THE MOUNTAIN Dir. Orlando von Einsiedel
Synopsis:
As a boy growing up, Samuel Mugisha dreamed of being a part of the Rwandan national cycling team, Team Rwanda, as he believed it would be a way to help make money for his family. What he discovered was something else entirely. In a country trying to get over the trauma of a genocide, Team Rwanda represents a lot more than sport.
KING OF THE MOUNTAIN Dir. Orlando von Einsiedel
Synopsis:
As a boy growing up, Samuel Mugisha dreamed of being a part of the Rwandan national cycling team, Team Rwanda, as he believed it would be a way to help make money for his family. What he discovered was something else entirely. In a country trying to get over the trauma of a genocide, Team Rwanda represents a lot more than sport.
Since ancient times civilizations have come together around storytelling in different mediums. It is powerful. You could say that we are sitting around the campfire and telling and watching stories in the cinema today.
Cycling has been a part of my life ever since I learned to bike. I was into BMX and then road cycling and a bit of mountain biking in high school and then as an adult I have continued to bike everywhere I go. Over the years I have had morning riding groups. Almost all my daily trips are made by bicycle.
Since ancient times civilizations have come together around storytelling in different mediums. It is powerful. You could say that we are sitting around the campfire and telling and watching stories in the cinema today.
Cycling has been a part of my life ever since I learned to bike. I was into BMX and then road cycling and a bit of mountain biking in high school and then as an adult I have continued to bike everywhere I go. Over the years I have had morning riding groups. Almost all my daily trips are made by bicycle.
HER KHALTSHA Dir. Robyn Phillips
Synopsis:
Khaltsha Cycling Academy, the first all-girls cycling group in Khayelitsha Township, empowers young women to defy societal norms, find freedom and dream beyond the limits of their neighborhood.
HER KHALTSHA Dir. Robyn Phillips
Synopsis:
Khaltsha Cycling Academy, the first all-girls cycling group in Khayelitsha Township, empowers young women to defy societal norms, find freedom and dream beyond the limits of their neighborhood.
All types of cycling around the world seem to be more and more popular. This happened because of the hard work and sacrifices of advocates. This growth happened because of race organizers, trail builders, bike messengers and so many filmmakers and artists.
Safety in numbers is a line we stand by for years. If we can take the time and support and join in on more group activities the culture is going to grow. We need to think of others and then act on it. Movements are built on volunteers. Let's listen, think and act on the idea I am helping someone else here. Do they feel welcome? We had many conversations about this at the BFF. Are we perfect? No. Are we doing our best? Yes. Ultimately we just love riding bikes.
All types of cycling around the world seem to be more and more popular. This happened because of the hard work and sacrifices of advocates. This growth happened because of race organizers, trail builders, bike messengers and so many filmmakers and artists.
Safety in numbers is a line we stand by for years. If we can take the time and support and join in on more group activities the culture is going to grow. We need to think of others and then act on it. Movements are built on volunteers. Let's listen, think and act on the idea I am helping someone else here. Do they feel welcome? We had many conversations about this at the BFF. Are we perfect? No. Are we doing our best? Yes. Ultimately we just love riding bikes.
THE NINE WHEELS Dir. Santiago Burin des Roziers
Synopsis:
The Schneeberger family (a.k.a The 9 Wheels) are the mountain bike stars of the future. Emric (age 10) and Raul (age 13) live with their parents, Toni and Laetitia, in their motorhome. They travel from bike park to bike park across Europe, a decision prompted by the discovery of a neurodegenerative disease in Letitia. This is a family living life together to the fullest, one day at a time.
THE NINE WHEELS Dir. Santiago Burin des Roziers
Synopsis:
The Schneeberger family (a.k.a The 9 Wheels) are the mountain bike stars of the future. Emric (age 10) and Raul (age 13) live with their parents, Toni and Laetitia, in their motorhome. They travel from bike park to bike park across Europe, a decision prompted by the discovery of a neurodegenerative disease in Letitia. This is a family living life together to the fullest, one day at a time.
Robby and Carina had the pleasure of meeting Brendt, the founder of Bicycle Film Festival last month in NYC to connect on their shared love of bikes, sustainability and talk about the upcoming screenings. We're so excited to announce we're releasing a custom collaboration bottle with them! Available on our website now.
We invite you to attend the upcoming screening July 27th in San Diego!
Tickets and information available: HERE.
Robby and Carina had the pleasure of meeting Brendt, the founder of Bicycle Film Festival last month in NYC to connect on their shared love of bikes, sustainability and talk about the upcoming screenings. We're so excited to announce we're releasing a custom collaboration bottle with them! Available on our website now.
We invite you to attend the upcoming screening July 27th in San Diego!
Tickets and information available: HERE.
The bottle features the festival's iconic bike logo on our Black Trio.
The bottle features the festival's iconic bike logo on our Black Trio.
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