Wheels Up: Santa Barbara’s Wheelie Generation
City Teens Find a Positive Physical Outlet During the Pandemic
By Ryan P. Cruz
Santa Barbara’s next generation of bikers has burst on the scene in the form of high-energy teenagers swerving through the city on their big-wheeled rides, turning heads with an aggressive style of wheelie-popping bravado and drawing both praise and criticism from residents and officials.
You can’t miss them. Since State Street was closed off to car traffic in 2020, they’ve turned the small strip of road in front of the old Macy’s building into an impromptu practice ground. Nobody organized this pop-up wheelie spot; it just happened, with the kids organically taking their place in the center of a bustling downtown.
“We’re just trying to have fun,” said Angel Reyes. He’s out on State Street most days with his friends, living the “bike life,” as they call it.
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