David Byrne to give lecture about his global bike travels

Published Feb. 24, 2010 at 11:07 p.m.

PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- David Byrne, author and former lead singer for the New York-based new wave band Talking Heads, will talk about how bicycling can transform cities as part of Mayor David N. Cicilline's second annual Senator Claiborne Pell Lecture on Arts and Humanities.

Byrne's latest book, "Bicycle Diaries," is an account of his bike travels through the streets of Istanbul, Buenos Aires, London, and other cities. He'll be joined by Samuel Zipp, a Brown University professor and Thomas Deller, the city's Director of Planning & Development, in a symposium titled "Cities, Bicycles and the Future of Getting Around."

According to a news release from the mayor's office, the panel will discuss how creative thinkers strengthen civic life, how a city can foster a more bicycle-friendly environment, and how Providence might change if more people made a bicycle their primary mode of transportation.

Zipp's latest book, "Manhattan Projects: The Rise and Fall of Urban Renewal in Cold War New York," will be published by Oxford University Press this spring.

Deller has overseen the implementation of the Providence Bicycle Network and is working with local, state and federal partners to make way for bicycles in the Jewelry District.

The lecture will be held Tuesday, Mar. 9 at 7 p.m. at the Trinity Repertory Company on Washington Street. Cicilline established the annual symposium last year in honor of the late Rhode Island senator for his work championing education, the arts and humanities.

The symposium is a free but ticketed event. Tickets will be available beginning Thursday, Feb. 25 at the Trinity box office and must be picked up in person. There is a four ticket limit per person. For more information on the lecture, contact (401) 421-2489 x456 or visit www.creativeprov.org.

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