handbikemovie

handbikemovie is an autobiographical visual account of a chapter in my life and in this respect it is the logical sequel of my book of photographs Bruchlandungen (crash-landings). For five years now have I ridden my handbike every day and in all weathers. So far I have already travelled and experienced 1600 kilometres amongst vehicles whose drivers and passengers remain incognito as they hardly can be made out behind the reflecting windows.

As a traveller who is slower than the rest, especially when the road is rising, but is almost as fast as the cars when it leads downward, I have been experiencing the road with its ups and downs in silence, loneliness, and isolation - but not without amusement. The perspective when riding a handbike, sitting in the open air, - riders of a convertible do have a similar sensation, without a need for making a great effort however - is unusual, but as far as I am concerned it´s the ordinary thing.

My slow motion (5 - 1O km/h) amidst the roaring traffic; the actual danger everyone can see who is passing me by: I myself cannot see it; it is something that happens behind my back. My freedom to ride anywhere I want, in "complete" autonomy and as a matter of course (despite considerable dependence on the ones that surround me, for example only in order to get onto the street in the first place).

Riding through the city on a handbike - what an adventure, not only because of the wheelchair.
Speeding down steep mountain roads: thrilling, and, what a view!
To meet people, dialog
To watch - to be involved
(Martin Bruch)