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!

[@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.

[@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.

[@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!

[@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.

[@randallblytheadlercavalera8373]

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

[@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.

[@ajayhiremath5042]

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

[@joannasalvanou5694]

I loved every second!!!!

[@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

[@rachelbigatel5059]

my favorite ted talk

[@catcampion]

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

[@robertcaffrey6097]

This is sooooooo coooooool kudos to TBB

[@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?

[@PhilVandelay]

Still one of my favorite TED talks!

[@41magfan]

Phil Vandelay nice

[@mariovelez578]

this guy knows survival tactics for the urban wilderness

[@dariomanfroi9447]

Simply Fantastic

[@yellowdough2001]

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

[@justusderdv]

Happy to see a man living the adventure.

[@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 ☺️

[@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?

[@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.

[@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?

[@shieldgenerator7]

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

[@ogpaulw33zy47]

this is awesome

[@quinxx12]

What a legend!

[@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!!!!

[@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?

[@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?

[@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 :)

[@bikesf]

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

[@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.😌

[@admagnificat]

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

[@deutscheklassiker5677]

LOVE this !

[@antiveggiemonster]

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

[@alpinegeordie]

Brilliant .... well presented

[@rickie5150]

Way to go Bobby !!!

[@proprotornut5389]

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

[@gudlad61]

Awesomeness :-)

[@awesometuscaloosa7203]

2020 and inspired!

[@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.

[@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

[@Mikolaj_u]

Great video. Thumbs up!

[@dericflairmultiverse4952]

what a cool dude

[@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.

[@wanderingbox7971]

Awesomeness ✌️

[@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!

[@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

[@veganchaatparty]

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

[@dfgfddafsdfas]

you're welcome!!!

[@fernandoluis773]

Effortlessly funniest thing I've seen in a while.

[@dfgfddafsdfas]

wow, thanks!

[@elkellenhabla]

so good

[@exs3574]

Fascinating... 🧐

[@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...

[@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;)

[@There-Is-No-Virus]

inspiring!

[@dfgfddafsdfas]

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

[@resurrectionx5952]

What a hero & funny one 😂👍

[@NickDorogavtsev]

wow!

[@victoriadelmar5518]

great video

[@michaelanderson8464]

the bike suv

[@rollingcubes7802]

I will I could do this right now.!!

[@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.

[@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.

[@mauireyes8230]

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

[@zacsusskind9701]

wow you somehow made sox and sandals work. nice job

[@dfgfddafsdfas]

finally! haha thanks

[@nostranger2u]

That's normal attire in NW Washington.

[@BEEBEE159]

Cool story. I love it.

[@MAX88587]

i Iove you

[@BEEBEE159]

Love you, too :)

[@2wheelsrbest327]

Great video thanks

[@dfgfddafsdfas]

you're welcome

[@stacyschewalje334]

U r awesome very interesting thanks

[@johnlupo9429]

Great inspiration for me at 62! 😳🤣👍

[@Ohsage1111]

I HEART Sweet guys on bikes!!!!

[@Garacha222]

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

[@siyuyangzhang6995]

I see. The tall bikes are usually easier to keep balance and feel like floating since the tall thing take longer time to fall. The most important thing is need to know how to get on and off from it.

[@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?

[@julianchosun]

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

[@sarcasmo57]

Cool moe bro.

[@KinkyCyclist]

I’m going on my first bike tour next spring. 6000 miles across the country and back

[@dfgfddafsdfas]

Awesome! have a great time!

[@dfgfddafsdfas]

did you do it???

[@winnabegobob1547]

That is so cool man 👍👌🤝👊😁😄😛

[@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.

[@matejhosner1980]

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

[@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

[@sateforp]

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

[@kolloduke3341]

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

[@bassdewd]

Silly analogy with the broom and longer stick. The broom's center of gravity is at the top, whilst the stick is at the middle. Of course it's going to be more stable. Lots of his luggage is at the bottom of the bike, so he's more stable.

[@sparkimoto]

At first his point seems counter-intuitive. It then reminded me of the fact that the tallest sky scrapers often are the ones that remain standing during a strong earth quake which causes the shorter ones to topple over. So some of the stability is due to the extra height. But as I think of it, it seems to me that it is the height of [ center of gravity ] that is the [ reference height ] and not the actual height of the bike. With that said, the positioning of all of that gear plays a factor it all of this. There are several variables that come into play here. I'm probably gonna lose some sleep over this 2nite.

[@BUILTLIGHTWOUNDTIGHT]

BMX, all the way!!! ;)

[@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.

[@lads.7715]

Looks like the bike I just saw a Harlem Globetrotter ride on the street!

[@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

[@sumansil3969]

Creative...

[@recyclespinning9839]

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

[@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.

[@gregnixon1296]

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

[@Rainaman-]

Hipster distilled

[@ObsessionoftheMonth]

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

[@dfgfddafsdfas]

thanks!

[@cylon5741]

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

[@jannetteberends8730]

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

[@avergaston7304]

He looks like that cop in narcos lol

[@TucsonDude]

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

[@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.

[@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

[@sparkimoto]

This kind of inspired me to do something I have thought of doing but didn't know if the bike would be ride-able: MY IDEA: well it is similar to this in that it would be a tall bike. But my design would be a bike with 42 inch wheels. These are the tallest UNICYCLE wheels made. I don't know of any 42 inch bicycles in existence. I know for sure you cannot buy one. This would have to be completely custom made.

[@engineer9750]

And if you need a replacement tube or tyre on the go? Go with something practical travelling.