Bicrophonics

The instrument that enables bicrophonics is the sonic bike, which can be many things. A musical instrument, a portable stage, a game player, a doorway to listening and looking that also creates good health whilst giving unique experiences to every rider.

Politics, time, cycling possibilities, architecture and finances all bare on each new project, making them utterly contemporary. Over eighteen years, we have developed the sonic bike to enable this. A bike with two mounted speakers on the front and GPS receiver and Raspberry Pi computer in Box on the back. With our bespoke mapping software installed, different sounds are linked and layered to and over different zones, meaning that the interactive music performed by the bike changes depending on where the cyclist goes and how fast they pedal.

We also run a variety of WORKSHOPS and LAB DAYS, inviting the most inspiring interdisciplinary expertise to come share and develop bicrophonics with all participants. We welcome contributions from anyone interested.

Discover the original concept to the sonic bike. Not an app and free of the internet, the sonic bike creates an outdoor listening experience for everyone – reaching new audiences on the street or hillside, far beyond the confines of concert halls and galleries.

Current

Environmental Bike

The next phase of sonic cycling – bikes that are responsive to the environment using air quality sensors. Making audible the particulate matter (PM2.5) we breathe through live sonification as you ride, at the same time gathering air quality data to be uploaded to open databases.

Sonic Kayaks

Made by FoAM-Kernow, a development of the Sonic Bike with underwater and air sensors. Generating music live from the marine world, enabling citizens to gather climate data and contribute to scientific research.

How we work

Bicrophonics research and development has taken shape through collaborative learning in our workshops, experiments in the lab, and by teaching in universities.