How Do You Get Off That Thing?: Bobby Gadda at TEDxUCLA

Bobby Gadda is a bicycle activist and interactive performance artist who lives and works in Los Angeles. For the last three months he has been touring on a tall bike from Vancouver BC all the way back to LA.
He co-founded and is board president of CicLAvia, L.A.'s premiere car-free happening. Bobby volunteers at the Bicycle Kitchen community bike project and works at the Los Angeles County Bicycle Coalition
(LACBC) as a program coordinator. Bobby is passionate about car-free living and believes that bicycles are a very practical and fun way to get around! Bobby lives at the Los Angeles Eco-Village and keeps bees on the roof.
About TEDx, x = independently organized event
In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. At a TEDx event, TEDTalks video and live speakers combine to spark deep discussion and connection in a small group. These local, self-organized events are branded TEDx, where x = independently organized TED event. The TED Conference provides general guidance for the TEDx program, but individual TEDx events are self-organized. (Subject to certain rules and regulations.)

[@andreleblanc7616]

That is so cool, I'm 59 and when I retire in a few years I plan on doing many bike trips like yours just not on a tall bike, you're an inspiration for many Bobby ;)

[@dfgfddafsdfas]

You should do it! I met a guy who did his first bike tour when he was 65! He rode across the USA!

[@rationalmartian]

Best TEDx talk I've seen for quite some while. The world also needs more delightful eccentrics. There doesn't seem to be as many as there once were.

[@wanderingbox7971]

i agree...the "I must Conform" bug has spread too far..

[@blakechapman6047]

The world should be nothing but delightfully, morally grounded eccentrics.

[@truckertom3323]

I have seen this video about 15 times now, and every time i watch it, it is just like the first time, never get bored watching it.

[@TC-yx1qt]

Does he have other videos or has he been on any podcasts that you know of?

[@truckertom3323]

@@TC-yx1qt Sorry for the delay in my reply, unfortunately i do not know about other videos and the like, but i am sure if you were to google his name you will be able to find out more information about his journey around the world.

[@twoeygray5186]

@@TC-yx1qt He makes music! Bobby Gadda on Spotify :)

[@wholeshebang1]

Great talk, Bobby! I'm so glad you're in Toronto now, spreading your love of bikes, unique views on cycling advocacy, community-building ideas, music and sense of humour. LA's loss is Toronto's gain.

[@terbennett]

This guy is one of the reasons I love LA. Their bike scene is incredible. Regardless of your background, social status, etc., LA's bike scene is united.

[@dfgfddafsdfas]

I know right? LA bike scene is amazing and I am grateful to all of the nice folks that showed me the bike ways!

[@unclealbert]

I enjoyed your video. Many years ago i rode from Lahore to Delhi to Bombay . . . . I did it because it was in expensive, actually I had no money what so ever. Never for a moment did I think such a trip had any story merit. Thank you for your efforts, it is and informative and interesting video.

[@dfgfddafsdfas]

That sounds like an interesting story to me! What happened?

[@yellowdough2001]

Tall Bike Bobby! T.B.B> Thank you for being a creative being! Love it! Thanks TEDdy!

[@longjoshsilver6414]

i had like 2000 miles travelling on a Tallbike in Spain. Best Time of my Life. Greetings Form Germany.

[@TC-yx1qt]

How were people's reactions in Spain? Did they give you more room when driving by?

[@justusderdv]

Happy to see a man living the adventure.

[@ajayhiremath5042]

legends are less in number and you are one of them......!!!!!!

[@catcampion]

A TEDxTalk?! How much cooler could Bobby Gadda get? I am a fan.

[@notvalidated2540]

Been unemployed for a few months and I just now see this inspirational Tedx talk. Doing a bike tour seems so interesting to me now.

[@dfgfddafsdfas]

do it!!!!

[@monkeyyesme]

Five years later and I'm watching your talk and realized I passed you on my bike just south of Santa Cruz on my ride from SF to LA. I have the photo to prove it :•) Great talk, btw!

[@dfgfddafsdfas]

Rad, would love to see the photo!

[@monkeyyesme]

Just sent it in a Facebook message

[@rcfreak69]

I bet he learned to fall like that by every crosswind he encountered LOL

[@jerryschwinn7234]

I use to long board over 20 miles a day and definitely sometimes 30 miles a day it's not as much as it sounds if it's spread out over the day. Now I ride my motorcycle over 500 miles a day sometimes.

[@PhilVandelay]

Still one of my favorite TED talks!

[@41magfan]

Phil Vandelay nice

[@oilscout]

I built several upside-down bikes as a kid and now may do one in a later life :-) I never went more than to school and back through and branches were always an issue. Great talk, Thanks!

[@renewilliams5909]

How do you build them? Anyone in Northern California?

[@Synesthes]

Skip to 16:21 to see how he gets off the bike

[@RalphDratman]

Thank you! With no disrespect to the nice man telling his nice story, there is precious little information to be found in it.

[@himonightbreeze]

Ralph Dratman Not every ted talk needs to be informative. For a good example, go watch Reggie Watts's.

[@RalphDratman]

Thank you -- I just watched Reggie Watts's talk and I found it very informative. I learned a lot about music and humor from a new point of view. I find that such cultural and artistic interactions are among the most important things I can learn.

[@Raycefan]

Where do I skip to if I want to see how he jacks off the bike?

[@Maxander2001]

Ralphie, it might be you lack the ability to listen and learn from all sources. Perspective and Framing can be constricting. :D I agree Watts is a few Levels above most others though, for sure. Not every TEDx talk needs to be done by a Genius... surely?

[@rachelbigatel5059]

my favorite ted talk

[@michaeldoster4847]

You are an amazing person! A survivor, and lover of people. You have the stamina that God gives us all, BUT YOU USE YOURS! This is one of the greatest stories I have ever heard; and at my age, I've heard a few! Praise be to God for Tall Bike Bobby! Thank YOU for sharing such an amazing adventure that most will never experience! Be safe, journey on, I don't have to tell you to have fun , and carry on..... God bless, Tall Bike Bobby.😌

[@randallblytheadlercavalera8373]

coolest talkshow 😂 bobby you are enough legend to us😂😊

[@robertcaffrey6097]

This is sooooooo coooooool kudos to TBB

[@Zalan]

This is so awesome and inspiring. And the part of becoming a little crazy is true. But I like to think that its you becoming more natural and stop worrying about how you should act when you live in a society that judges you everyday.

[@MonstaMunch101]

Begging for money and being unable to support yourself isn't awesome and it isn't inspiring, trust me.

[@wanderingbox7971]

yeah alot of people are too worried how they look to others

[@TC-yx1qt]

@@MonstaMunch101 Did he say he was begging for money?

[@mariovelez578]

this guy knows survival tactics for the urban wilderness

[@Wheyooo]

Im dutch so im stuck with a bike for life :)

[@jiriwichern]

You're Dutch and only own one bike? You poor *** ;)

[@Wheyooo]

@@jiriwichern nope between 10 and 15 and one electric ☺️

[@PeepalBaba-Givemetrees]

🌿🌿🌿very nice

[@funny-video-YouTube-channel]

He would love central Europe. There are *separated cycling roads* for travel in central Europe :-) Some people use them for commuting to work, if it's less than 20km or so.

[@gabrielhawi403]

I will be there soon. Wish me luck!

[@RavenCorvinus]

Good luck :)

[@marty1662]

Ted has featured everyone from Stephen hawking to a random dude getting off a bike

[@mountain-milk]

Nit the Liar This guy would never make it to a true Ted Talk. Anyone can be on Tedx. They are not the same thing.

[@MegaWorldadventure]

Yep, quality keeps going down...

[@vldarden]

I'm having the same experience..I have yet to use my tent and camping gear..I have had host families everywhere I have gone....love this..

[@TC-yx1qt]

What type of bike are you riding and what areas?

[@vldarden]

@@TC-yx1qt I was riding a hybrid. I now ride a Brompton when I travel from place to place. It's easy to transport.

[@julianchosun]

A marketing genius of the modern era with the ultimate product for the post-fossil fuel world.

[@Mediocre_at_best]

This was one of the more fun ted talks I've seen, great stuff bobby 👏

[@dfgfddafsdfas]

thank you, glad you enjoyed it!

[@joannasalvanou5694]

I loved every second!!!!

[@fernandoluis773]

Effortlessly funniest thing I've seen in a while.

[@dfgfddafsdfas]

wow, thanks!

[@shieldgenerator7]

this is very inspiring. that sounds like a lot of fun

[@mauireyes8230]

Do you have a video on how you assembled your bike? It's my third time watching this.

[@bikesf]

Great talk Bobby. I hope you're able to accomplish your goals

[@quinxx12]

What a legend!

[@Mikolaj_u]

Great video. Thumbs up!

[@admagnificat]

Great video. Thank you, thank you, thank you Tall Bike Bobby!

[@bobboolala2434]

About to embark on a two month European bike/busking tour and I'm a complete biking amateur. Wish me luck. Loved your video. Reminds me of my buddy's in the psyclown circus

[@dakotachurch8377]

You're the best kind of hipster. I like you.

[@dfgfddafsdfas]

You're the best kind of youtube commenter! I like you!

[@StarDarkAshes]

Bobby Gadda Did you stop in Ashland, Oregon?

[@ceejayblacks1834]

+Christopher Finn Dude I'm from Australia but my brother moved to Medford, Oregon a few years back! Been to Lithia park and all that in Ashland. :) ahah.

[@godhimself5178]

Bobby Gadda ..you're the best kind of replier . I like you

[@beauhause]

Bobby Gadda dude you are an awesome human being.

[@antiveggiemonster]

SO COOL!!! I've always wanted to do that.

[@dariomanfroi9447]

Simply Fantastic

[@veganchaatparty]

Super superb video!!! Super thanks for sharing!!!!

[@dfgfddafsdfas]

you're welcome!!!

[@ogpaulw33zy47]

this is awesome

[@proprotornut5389]

Awesome guy. Not so keen on the tall bike, but a fascinating story. Very inspiring! Thanks.

[@rickie5150]

Way to go Bobby !!!

[@alpinegeordie]

Brilliant .... well presented

[@wilkbor]

Well done. Looks like this video is four years old.... Where are you now?

[@wholeshebang1]

I'm jumping in to say that Bobby has been living in Toronto, Ontario, Canada for the past few years, after meeting his now-wife, a Torontonian, on that trip. She was also doing a solo tour. They rode down the west coast, returned to their respective cities, and year later, they married and continued their trip from CA to Mexico. We're lucky to have him here, as this super-nice and fun pair are involved in bike culture, advocacy and community-building.

[@madiantin]

That's nice to hear. Thanks for the update. Toronto's a nice area in which to live. =) Does he still ride his tall bike?

[@wholeshebang1]

+madiantin Yes, he does, and he also has a regular bike that sometimes has an interactive art display on back.

[@kellyrobinson550]

Keefe Borden Got hit by a car😢

[@zacsusskind9701]

wow you somehow made sox and sandals work. nice job

[@dfgfddafsdfas]

finally! haha thanks

[@nostranger2u]

That's normal attire in NW Washington.

[@dalewildey4102]

I ride a home built recumbent low racer, so I get the wierd looks you'd get. Very interesting stories about your adventures. Thanks for the video

[@BEEBEE159]

Cool story. I love it.

[@MAX88587]

i Iove you

[@BEEBEE159]

Love you, too :)

[@AmusedDaffodils-mz5rw]

That is so cool I love it

[@sateforp]

half of the bike is stuff for him to take care of the mustache

[@kolloduke3341]

HAHAHA! brilliant ! it does age him so !!!lol

[@Garacha222]

This was quite moving! Thank you for doing this ride, and presenting this talk.

[@Camibug]

So weird he showed both my home town (Redding, CA in Shasta County) and my current town ( Lompoc, CA - Valley Drive In movie theater is here, but is now used as a dump/trading post)

[@dfgfddafsdfas]

cool! yeah it was cool to explore the abandoned drive in movie theater - it's where i scavenged the big plastic TBB letters

[@recyclespinning9839]

Awesome..did u take a long time off , and how did u get a job when you were done?

[@Ohsage1111]

I HEART Sweet guys on bikes!!!!

[@engineer9750]

15:59 is that a drum bake in the back wheele?

[@dfgfddafsdfas]

yes it is!

[@marktroup2978]

that looks like a nightmare for climbing hills.

[@quickeroats]

lol

[@There-Is-No-Virus]

+Mark Troup well you could always walk it up them

[@dfgfddafsdfas]

Nope, it's fine, there is a triple chainring so the gears go plenty low. I had lots of ridiculous weight on this thing but I got used to it after a few days.

[@jamescongdon281]

I would ride a bike 50 miles a day everyday when I was 13-14 just to hangout with my friends and date. I had a 21 speed road bike and never geared down from the highest gear anywhere for anything. Your legs can extremely accustomed to a bike to a point where they never hurt from anything.

[@davidmadison5582]

very cool! i enjoyed it. thank you

[@deutscheklassiker5677]

LOVE this !

[@jerryschwinn7234]

When I was a kid I was never taught how to ride a bike and that's because I taught myself. I just pulled a bike from the garage one day when I was about 3 or 4 and got on it and started riding with my brothers like I had been doing it all along. When I bought my first motorcycle I got one of the world's fastest bikes and haven't looked back and I've had it for over two years. If your planning on buying a motorcycle and your a natural on a bike go big or go home;)

[@victoriadelmar5518]

great video

[@matejhosner1980]

Hey, Bobby! Did I see you in Slovenia today? :D

[@Luminaring]

Excellent talk! practical empowerment... get on a bike and go... get on with it and go..

[@breth8159]

yes yes yes

[@MonstaMunch101]

Begging isn't practical and it isn't empowering. Trust me.

[@bentstrider]

I'd imagine along the Vancouver to LA route, there's more people around to put you up. If you were to do a tour out here in the inner mountain west, the population is much more centered in the urban areas and there would be more camping to be done.

[@DanceswithDustBunnies]

Getting off of it doesn't seem nearly as hard as how the heck do you get ON it?

[@HyenaBlank]

If it's anything like another video I saw of someone with a tall bike, it invovled a running start and quickly climbing up

[@awesometuscaloosa7203]

2020 and inspired!

[@TucsonDude]

Bicycles solve a lot of problems. Tired of high gas prices? Ride a bike. Want to lose weight? Ride a bike. Want to avoid traffic jams? Ride a bike. Want to save the environment? Ride a bike. Want something fun to do? Ride a bike. Want to save money? Ride a bike. Get the message??

[@recyclespinning9839]

Boy, this guy does a tour on this bike and I am thinking do i need to replace my touring bike with a better one with disc brakes? I have done some distance rides but not toured yet. Did you just use maps or GPS? Never mind seems like was done a longtime ago . congrats on your accomplishments.

[@dfgfddafsdfas]

Nah you don't need disc brakes! Just brakes that work! On this tour I had a small laptop with me, I would stop in towns and look at maps on the internet, write them down in my journal and use that to navigate. Also just asking people a lot. You should go bike touring its really fun!!!!

[@recyclespinning9839]

@@dfgfddafsdfas thanks I have an older bianchi volpe I bought used over a year ago and seems pretty good. Not as fast as my road bikes but comfy.. It looks like never used however and I upgraded wheels, brake pads etc .. I am gonna try a couple day tour and see how it goes.

[@cylon5741]

A tall recumbent trike would be a revolutionary form of transportation.

[@resurrectionx5952]

What a hero & funny one 😂👍

[@johnlupo9429]

Great inspiration for me at 62! 😳🤣👍

[@ObsessionoftheMonth]

he looks like a little kid that got in to a disguise kit.

[@dfgfddafsdfas]

thanks!

[@alexbird8142]

Serious Taika wahtiti vibes from this lad, love it!

[@dfgfddafsdfas]

Wow, thank you that means a lot because my girlfriend is in love with him

[@dfgfddafsdfas]

just an update, she's not so into Taika anymore

[@winnabegobob1547]

That is so cool man 👍👌🤝👊😁😄😛

[@sparkimoto]

This bike is actually very safe. If he is hit by a car, it will just hit the bike, but will drive under him. Add a gyroscope to this bike and it could stay upright while stopped.

[@ernststravoblofeld]

I'm always amazed that people need to be told how to fix their own bicycle. Everything is exposed. You can see and get to everything. There's no mystery.

[@error.418]

But mechanical literacy is still a thing that not everyone has...

[@whatsupbudbud]

After owning two cars I learned to fix most parts of my bikes through youtube. Some things like casettes need special tools though and my favorite bike - a recumbent - cannot be turned upside down for maintenance, so that sucks, but yeah - not so hard and rather liberating when you realize that you can do it on your own.

[@zogworth]

Never had repeated frustrating pinch flats then I guess?

[@engineer9750]

There are many people who have never had to deal with mechanical work. Therefore, sometimes they do not know how to properly handle screws.

[@chrisbliss2034]

Essentially true, but hub gears and wheelbuilding are for the more serious cyclist.

[@2wheelsrbest327]

Great video thanks

[@dfgfddafsdfas]

you're welcome

[@jannetteberends8730]

It seems to me that coming off is easier than getting up the bike. Do you always need something to climb on it?

[@bringingtherukas7473]

Nice Vid Good idea, Biggest problems i could see with it would be stopping in a hurry or how it would handle in a cross wind.

[@alantaylor6691]

Stopping in a hurry wouldn't be a problem as you're going slow. You'd stop a lot more quickly than a light racing bike travelling at 30 mph. As for crosswinds, I think you have somewhat of a point. I'm sure it would be more of an issue than an ordinary bike, although the heavy weight may offset the wind a little. However not entirely. I think in strong crosswinds you might have to stop and wait for it to pass. But you wouldn't get those kind of winds very often, just sometimes.

[@wanderingbox7971]

Awesomeness ✌️

[@Patiboke]

Also have a tallbike, ride it a lot in Antwerp, Belgium. It's true, you get a lot of attention and people ask how you get off.

[@CoutureButcher]

what a cool dude

[@charyinvic]

I am going to the Burning Man this year! Thanks for this amazing talk. Being weird is the best thing.

[@sign1in]

Okay, gonna have to work on my people skills, get dry erase board, I've been planning my bike trip for the last four months, job, I'll be quitting that next month(yea!). My goal of my bike trip is more to find a new place to live than just to travel and SEE everything on the way. Then once I get that new place to live, adopt a furbaby(dog), then get back out there on a bike. I hope to see Bob out there.

[@dfgfddafsdfas]

Sounds like a plan! Keep us updated!

[@odmineypiju4761]

How did it go?

[@StarDarkAshes]

Tall Bike Bobby, did you stop in Ashland, Oregon?

[@dfgfddafsdfas]

I did stop there for a few days! I stayed with some very nice folks, had a great time.

[@davidbradnock5346]

How do you get on it?

[@Metal-Possum]

One of the better TEDx talks, usually TEDx is absolutely awful to watch, but this guy oozes personality with his socks and sandals and rich moustache...

[@michaelanderson8464]

the bike suv

[@There-Is-No-Virus]

inspiring!

[@dfgfddafsdfas]

Thank you! I love hearing that people are inspired by this, really makes my day!

[@exs3574]

Fascinating... 🧐

[@rollingcubes7802]

I will I could do this right now.!!

[@gregnixon1296]

I have to ask about a paycheck. What is the annual wage for riding a tall bike and running non-profit bike cooperatives?

[@uniworkhorse]

This guy has biker status, no doubt about it

[@avergaston7304]

He looks like that cop in narcos lol

[@StainlessSteelStyle]

Inspirational!

[@Federation42movies]

Socks and Sandals.

[@DooMMasteR]

Federation 42 he is most likely German

[@dfgfddafsdfas]

Ha! This is really funny. I am not German, but I have discovered that socks and sandals are the most comfortable and practical footwear for bike touring. The socks wick away the sweat which can then dry, so your feet don't get all gross in the sandals. Also I hate putting sunscreen on my feet, thats a pain in the ass.

[@patches_kitty]

Federation 42 and there's nothing nicer that kicking off your shoes and laying out on a towel in the sun for a while

[@Hazzard0]

And a pornstar mustache

[@iliketowatch.]

I can't focus on what he is talking about (something about bicycles?) due to that Tom Selleck-esque fur patch under his nose. I would guess from looking at his clothes and bicycle that his mustache is meant to be ironic.

[@TucsonDude]

You may "fall more slowly", but you hit the ground harder when you do.

[@sprfitter1]

How does it do when you meet passing semi trucks? The wind would blow you over