By Jackie Leewai

PHOTO GALLERY – Click to enlarge

The time is nearing 5.15pm on Sunday and like clockwork, a cluster of fixed gear bike riders are hanging about the entry to Martin Place off George Street.

Sydney Sunday Sessions – or SSS – started as a small collective some two years ago, organised to allow ‘fixie’ -fixed-gear bicycle – enthusiasts to ride and socialise in Sydney. The group continues to grow in size and stature, attracting skateboarders, lapsed BMX riders, and general followers of street trends.

Although I arrive without a ‘fixie’, the SSS crew seem not to care and turn their attention to more pressing matters – bikes and mates.

The vibe is relaxed and social amongst the mostly male company that gather. As more riders turn up, markers are placed on the public pavement to indicate the space where they ride and do tricks, all this while passersby and tourists sneak a quick look.

The fixed gear bike scene and culture has jumped the queue of usual fads, made known through indie films like MASH (2007), which was based on messenger bike riders in San Francisco, travelling through wild city traffic, dodging pedestrians and the random car door flying open whilst trying to courier between offices.

Ryan Arnold, 21, manoeuvres through the SSS crowd with his freestyle tricks, sporting a cheeky grin as his mates spur him on. He admits his “lucky to have never been in an accident but credits his luck to being a vigilant rider”; inspired by the messenger riders in San Fran for their “quick and zippy skills”.
He enjoys being part of the SSS crew and meeting in Martin Place every Sunday to ride and catch up with mates.

“There is a brotherhood amongst fixed gear riders and everyone’s super friendly, but people are making money off it because it’s blown up, and personally, I think it’s a good thing – power to them”.
Ryan bought a fixed gear bike about three years ago and was into riding since. At present, he owns two BMX’s and three fixed gears, and valued his SSS bike at around $2,500.

In the distance, Bow Jia stands by a less ordinary candy pink ride. Like his bike, Bow is only too sweet and describes the “love for bikes” and the scene that has adopted him in Australia.

“There is a lot of fixed gear bikes in China, but Chinese people don’t need bikes, they’re too rich and aren’t really into it”, says Bow. He adds, since coming to Australia, his mates in Sydney and Melbourne ride, work in street apparel stores, or both, and are genuinely into the scene.

Beyond the bruises and crash stories that seem to unite the riders, the fashion is just as apparent if not relevant. With street fashion stores like Supply, Halfsleeve, Carthaart, Footage and mainstream houses like General Pants grabbing the trend, there is no excuse to look bawdy, unless after a long ride.

Recently, the SSS crew participated in Fixed Up @ The Galeries from 4 July – 15 August 2010, a free exhibition of Sydney’s fixed gear bike culture featuring photography, artworks and personally designed bicycles.

A blog and Facebook page keeps the SSS crew updated; detailing events, meet points, BBQ’s, races, photos, gear and general stuff. A sense of exclusivity rolls with the group but that kind of adds to the cool.

Speaking of cool, without a whistle blow or mass call, the riders leisurely disperse into the city streets as Martin Place prepares itself for another working week.

Back to On ya bike: fixed-gear culture in Sydney.