Cyclonomia, a DIY bike repair workshop opened June 15 2013, in Budapest. The workshop is open Tuesdays and Thurdays from 3 pm to 8 pm and from 11 am to 6 pm on Saturdays. Located within Noha Studios: an alternative place in Budapest, near Jaszai Square, at Katona Jószef utca 39, on the Pest side, next to the bicycle path, crossing the Danube towards Marguerite island.
The 3 000 HUF (10 Euros) membership allows you to repair your bike(s) in a participative and convivial atmosphere and to learn, meet, help and support others… Comfortable armchairs and drinks greet members. One can also support the project through donations in kind: money, bikes, parts, tyres, inner tubes, tools, food, etc.
The workshop project intends to take part in the transformation of logistical imaginaries. One part is dedicated to the engineering and building of bicycle trailers and cargo-bicycles to test new uses. Cyclonomia refers to Cornelius Castoriadis’ notion of autonomy. The aim is to reappropriate the tools and know-how of bicycles making, recycling, and repairing.
This project is a part of a bigger project of opening a Degrowth and Transition Centre in Budapest. Based upon concrete alternatives and places and a young transdisciplinary researchers’ collective, its objective is to experiment a transition towards more autonomy as well as a re-appropriation of know-how, re-localised economic and production systems within an urban landscape. This project is based upon the concept of Degrowth.
There are many alternative projects and places in Budapest such as Noha Studio, where Cyclonomia is located. Recycling, repairs, as well as pottery are some of the activities offered. Most importantly it is the selling point for Szatyor, the network of local food production in Budapest. Every week seasonal local fruits and vegies are distributed in a convivial atmosphere.
Szimpla kert, an emblematic nocturnal Budapest pub and the Romkocsmáks deserve a mention. Despite having turned into a touristic mecca, participative activities still take place at the Szimpla. Even though the bicycle repair workshop, operated by the Bringa Kohyha collective (“Bicycle cooking”) is no longer located there for practical reasons, a local producers market takes place there every Sunday. Budapest has become notorious for hosting the world largest bicycle riders’ Critical Mass: the last gathering took place in April 2013.
In Budapest as in many other places around the world, transition is well underway and Cyclonomia intends to be part of the network of alternatives by offering new ways of living, producing and sharing.
Vincze Szabo and Havas Klaudiusz
Cyclonomia.org
Cyclonomia’s Facebook page
