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Phil Maxwell’s East End Cyclists

May 9, 2014
by the gentle author

After Rob Wells – the boy on the bicycle pictured on the cover of BRICK LANE – turned up, I realised that bikes were a recurrent theme in Phil Maxwell‘s photography and so I asked him to make this gallery of East End cyclists over the past thirty years.

Phil Maxwell will be giving a lecture showing his photographs from BRICK LANE at Waterstones Piccadilly next Wednesday 14th May at 7pm.

We shall be giving away signed and numbered prints by Phil to all at this event. Tickets are free but must be reserved by email events.piccadilly@waterstones.com

You may also like to take a look at

Phil Maxwell’s Old Ladies

Phil Maxwell’s Kids On The Street

11 Responses leave one →
  1. May 9, 2014

    Very evocative photos. Valerie

  2. May 9, 2014

    Boys and their BMX Bikes — their whole pride! Thanks and greetings to Phil Maxwell.

    Love & Peace
    ACHIM

  3. Jose Cadaveira permalink
    May 9, 2014

    Wonderful series! I specially love the one with two Raleigh Choppers, reminds me of my old bike I had back in 1983. Thanks!

  4. May 9, 2014

    wonderful photographs

  5. Sarah Perry permalink
    May 9, 2014

    Wonderful. Especially of the boys and their bikes. Reminds me of the hours I spent with neighborhood kids playing Indians and Cowboys with bikes for horses (I’m American – no doubt in London this has a different name).

  6. May 9, 2014

    As ever you bring out marvellous photos in black and white, Gentle Author. Time captured forever in black and white.

  7. bunya permalink
    May 9, 2014

    The last photo shows the modern world- riding on the pavement and texting at the same time!

  8. May 9, 2014

    Another set of exciting images from the seemingly inexhaustible Phil Maxwell archive.

  9. Donald Carlton Burns permalink
    May 10, 2014

    Superb collection of photos of life on two wheels.

  10. May 10, 2014

    Can’t believe the penny farthing. Hipsters eh? What are they like?

  11. May 10, 2014

    Another set of great images. Not everyone who rides a bike wears lycra! I love the shot of the boy with his shopping in front of the lines of police and presumably demonstrators.

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