Burning Man: Encyclopedia II - Burning Man - Transport around festival

Burning Man - Transport around festival

Once participants have arrived in Black Rock City, they are expected to leave their cars or other motor vehicles parked and travel around the city under their own power. Cars should only be used in an emergency, or when leaving or entering the city. Law enforcement officials and the Black Rock Rangers will stop vehicles and law enforcement officials may give you a ticket.

Bicycles are de rigueur for most BRC citizens. The alkali dust of the playa causes severe damage to bikes, so many attendees bring a bicycle of little value. A good lock is also a precaution a few take; many bikes every year are "accidentally" borrowed and later abandoned, or stolen outright. However, given the number of participants, it is not uncommon for one to be able to find a replacement bike that someone is gifting.

Walking is also a great way to get around; although slower, it's easier to stop and see the many sights if you don't have a big clunky bike to park, lock, unload, etc.

Radically-altered motor vehicles called mutant vehicles, or art cars, are an exception to the no-cars rule in BRC. These cars—or buses, trucks, etc.—must be radically and creatively altered to qualify for the exemption. They must also be licensed by the Black Rock City DMV (Department of Mutant Vehicles). Many art cars have high passenger capacity and will pick up participants on the playa for a ride, but don't expect or demand a ride from anyone. Passengers should be careful when boarding or disembarking; one person died in 2003 stepping off a moving art car.

Flying has been an option to get to Black Rock City for several years. Information on Black Rock's airport can be found here. In addition to arrival by air, recreational hang gliding and sky diving are also popular during the event. Travel by air through the Black Rock Desert is hazardous, however, due to high altitude and sudden, fierce winds and storms.

Adapted from the Wikipedia article "Transport around festival", under the G.N U Free Docmentation License. Please also see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki