Bicycle Portraits

Everyday South Africans and their Bicycles

By Stan Engelbrecht & Nic Grobler

The “Bicycle Portraits” project was initiated by Stan Engelbrecht (Cape Town, South Africa) and Nic Grobler (Johannesburg, South Africa) in early in 2010. Whenever they can, together or separately, they’re on the lookout for fellow commuters and people who use bicycles as part of their everyday work, to meet and photograph. They’re finding out who rides bicycles, why they ride bicycles, if and why they love their bicycles, and of course why so few South Africans choose bicycles as a transport option. There is no specific range of questions asked, they'd rather just establish a conversation around the rider’s life and where his or her bicycle fits into it. Being avid cyclists themselves, this project is as much an investigation into South African bicycle culture as it is an excuse for them to ride their bikes and take photographs.

Remo Baker
Western Cape, South Africa

“Why do I cycle? Because it’s fun! Also some exercise and I mean, there is lots you can do with it. Been cycling about 5 years now. I use it to go to town now and then. I bought this bicycle there. I’ve modified the bike a little, putting in the extra pipes and different tires. It means everything to me.”