This past weekend I had the chance to check out the 6th annual Bicycle Music Festival (BMF), taking place in the meadows of Golden Gate Park in San Francisco, CA. A car-free event, BMF featured 15 plus bands, a variety of bike-powered demonstrations and a 2000 watt pedal-powered PA system.

Founded in 2007, by Gabe Dominguez and Paul Freedman, BMF is the largest 100% bike-powered festival in the world. In collaboration with the San Francisco Parks Trust, BMF promotes sustainable living and biking through interactive exhibits that engage and educate fans. All day long festival attendees kept the music rocking via a pedal-powered sound system provided by Rock The Bike and SHAKE YOUR PEACE!. Keeping with the mission of the event, every element of the festival was transported to the site by bicycle, including sound equipment, staff and instruments.

Late in the day, this human-powered festival packed up and became mobile. With fans in tow and the music never stopping, the festival relocated from Golden Gate Park to Showplace Triangle in Potrero. Bicycle Music Festival closed out the day with a pedal-powered street party, including renegade LED art, a collection of food trucks and a full second set of local bands.

If you missed this year’s festivities, don’t worry, BMF will be back in 2013. In the mean time, get on your bikes and ride.