Lucas Brunelle

Lucas Brunelle

Lucas Brunelle

Lucas Brunelle with helmet cameras
Born August 3, 1971
Boston
Nationality American
Occupation Bicycle videographer

Lucas Brunelle is an influential American videographer of bicycle stunts. He was born in Boston, Massachusetts.

Early life and bicycling

Lucas Brunelle was raised on Martha's Vineyard in Massachusetts where he attended Martha's Vineyard Regional High School. He began his bicycle career riding BMX bikes at 15 years old.

In 1988 he started road racing and won his first citizens race and went on to win many races as a junior. In 1990 he upgraded to category two.

In 1990 he was invited to the Olympic Training Center to train under Chris Carmichael where he narrowly avoided being thrown out after a fight with another cyclist.

From 1990 he attended the University of Massachusetts Amherst where he continued to race. He graduated in 1996 summa cum laude with a BA in finance.

During his short and notorious racing career as an adult he raced for Mass Bay Road Club, UMASS Amherst, and Cannondale Jiffy Lube. He placed well and led his teammates to victory sometimes by riding on sidewalks, over grass, and through riders blocking. After participating in pro-am road races for several years, Brunelle was unsatisfied with the pace and intensity of legal bicycle racing.

Lucas has participated in alleycat races.[1]

Videography and advocacy

Brunelle has received renown as a videographer for alleycat races. His videos have been featured in the Bicycle Film Festival,[2][3] the International Cycling Film Festival and are made available online. Many bicycle forums regularly link to his newest films.

As an advocate for bicycle culture, Brunelle has participated in several Critical Mass events in the Boston area. Some of the stunts he has been involved in include a bicycle drawn carriage for a wedding[4] and parading a live band through the streets of downtown on a 1000 lb bicycle supported stage.[5]

Controversy

"Lucas Brunelle riding the Great Wall"
Lucas Brunelle riding a bike on the Great Wall of China

Brunelle is known for his daredevil riding style, which has led to some tension with some other riders and with authorities. Statements he has made to the press and his disregard for traffic laws have caused backlash from cyclists including some cycling advocacy groups.[1][6]

In November 2014, Brunelle was involved in a traffic accident on Tremont Street near Boston Common. Disregarding traffic signals he struck a pedestrian causing injury. He was further involved in an altercation with a Taxi driver who attacked Brunelle for hailing him down immediately following the incident with the pedestrian. [7]

Safety

The door zone in Boston is sometimes called the "Lucas Lane" because of Brunelle's habit of riding in this dangerous area.[8] Another "Lucas Lane" is the surface of the frozen Charles River, which he sometimes rides using special tires.[9]

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Woodland, Rosee (July 31, 2007), INTERVIEW: Lucas Brunelle - street racer, film maker, retrieved June 14, 2010
  2. ↑ Beifuss, John (May 29, 2009), Film festival a 'happening' for bicycle movement, retrieved June 14, 2010
  3. ↑ BikeRadar (October 11, 2007), Bicycle Film Festival in London Oct. 17-21, retrieved June 14, 2010
  4. ↑ Palmer, Elaine (Winter 2002), "Bill Reyelt's Wedding", Mass Cyclist, retrieved June 14, 2010
  5. ↑ Diaz, Johnny (August 4, 2002), "Wheel Fun or a Wheel Pain", The Boston Globe, retrieved June 14, 2010
  6. ↑ Interview With a Daredevil, Bicycling magazine
  7. ↑ Schworm, Peter. "Globe Staff". http://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/2014/11/10/taxi-driver-faces-charges-for-hitting-bicyclist-twice-with-fist-then-cab/01efaR11bu4ixyMrY3gl3N/story.html?p1=Article_Trending_Most_Shared#comments''.
  8. ↑ Krcmar, Stephen (August 14, 2003), "Life in the Lucas Lane", The Boston Globe, retrieved June 14, 2010
  9. ↑ Storrs, Francis (January 27, 2009), "Exhibit B: The Ice Cyclist", Boston Magazine, retrieved June 15, 2010