The first event was in New York, and cycling aficionados in other cities soon wanted to replicate it for their own communities.

[2] It has provided a platform for many bicycle advocates and filmmakers to premiere both shorts and feature-length films that otherwise may not have seen a wide release, and its growth has been linked to the emergence of the cycle chic movement.

Screenings encompass diverse aspects of urban cycling and a variety of genres and are tailored to each city.

[4] Bikes Rock!, a concert to launch the festival, has previously featured acts including Blonde Redhead, Jon Spencer Blues Explosion, Dan Deacon, No Age, Peaches, Matt and Kim, and Deerhunter.

Filmmakers whose work has been featured in, or who have otherwise contributed to, the Bicycle Film Festival include: Mike Mills, Spike Jonze, Jorgen Leth, Lucas Brunelle, the Neistat Brothers, Alex Craig and Peter Sutherland.