May is bike month and as NY1's Stephanie Simon reports in the following story, lots of artists find their artistic expression is inspired by their freedom of movement.

At her home studio in Williamsburg, artist Taliah Lampert doesn't have much trouble getting the subjects of her portraits to sit still, even though it's not their nature or hers.

“I paint pictures of bicycles. All different kinds, but all non-motorized,” says Lampert.

Lempert has been painting since she was a teen. Twelve years ago she discovered a new passion.

“When I started commuting by bike it was such a great thing and my bike was so beautiful that I did a few pictures of it and then I started borrowing my friends' bikes and then it went from there,” says Lempert.

Today Lempert gets commissions to do bike portraits. She's also part of a new exhibit called "Why I Ride,” taking place at Velo bike shop on the Lower East Side.

“That is a drawing of my friend Jared's bike,” says Lempert. “I drew it while not looking at the paper, but just looking at the bike and really trying to move my hand and eye together.”

“Why I Ride” is taking place at several venues throughout the neighborhood including at the Lower East Side Girls’ Club where the focus becomes a little more political.

Organized by bike enthusiasts and activists like Carol Wood, it looks at some of the pressing issues in the bike world.

“This piece is a parody of the parade permit,” says Wood.

New rules require large group bike rides like Critical Mass to get an NYPD parade permit. It asks about meetings before or after the event. The spoof asks:

“Meetings before or after event: who will you talk to, what will you say.”

Artists Elizabeth Press and Olga M did a series of photographs of people arrested in Critical Mass bike rides.

“Pseudo mug shots that would sort of parody their situation, their legal situation,” says Wood.

Artist Christopher Cardinale depicts people who have been killed in New York City while riding their bikes.

“Riding a bicycle in New York City, it defines my life. This thing which brings me joy and the people who lost their lives due to accidents with cars — it should not be this way. So, I’m do this to honor those people and to honor the spirit they lived with,” says Cardinale.

The unifying theme of the show is the freedom that riding a bike can bring.

“A bike is really an empowering thing,” says Lempert.

For more details on “Why I Ride” exhibits and art, check out the following:

Why I Ride: www.whyiridenyc.org
Taliah Lempert: www.bicyclepaintings.com
Lower Eastside Girls Club Gallery/Cafe at 56 E. First Street
Bicycle Habitat at 244 Lafayette Street
NYC Velo at 64 Second Avenue
Trackstar at 231B Eldridge Street

— Stephanie Simon