We first encountered The Bicycle Library, owned and run by the inimitable Karta Healy, outside the ICA during the launch party for Sunday Art Fair. And tonight they’re throwing open the doors of their decommissioned London Double Decker (full of bikes.. yes, stay with us here..) to welcome bicycle afficionados, and, others (I don’t actually own a bike, nor do I own a bus.. but I still think it’s pretty cool) to celebrate their new home in Hackney.
Migrating to London Fields for the Winter, the bicycle library will continue to stock bicycles, books and much more. On the first floor visitors can enjoy a cup of tea whilst perusing through a host of sustainably sourced bicycle wear and accessories from the TWOnFRO range, also designed by Karta Healy.
Before the party join the Critical Mass Halloween Ride, departing at 7pm from the south side of Waterloo Bridge and cycle to the party, starting at 9pm at 274 Richmond Road E8 3QW. Drinks & DJs will entertain you till 2am. Costumes are strongly encouraged and additional garments from Karta Healy’s infamous costume rail will be at your disposal.
On board visitors will find a well-stocked literary archive as well as a range of bikes that can be borrowed as you would a book. The Bicycle Library also doubles as an art gallery and cinema. Artwork is displayed on both floors and cinema screenings are set to take place on the second floor in the coming months. Librarians are there to assist you with any questions, which are answered via their expertise, as well as the books and magazines in the reference library, which is a complete selection of all the best books on bicycle design, culture and history. There is also a set of iPads to browse the libraries curated selection of cycling websites, which are organized according to the 7 sub categories of bikes we advocate for the city.
