A motorcycle festival need not stop at rows of machines and loud exhausts. Wheels and Waves in Biarritz, France, combines riding with surfing, skateboarding, music and art. Its 2026 programme was scheduled for 10–14 June, but the format itself is the interesting part: several passions sharing one gathering.
Artride is a distinctive example. The exhibition brings together photography, painting, street art and custom motorcycles; its listed venue for 2026 was the Biarritz skatepark. Here a motorcycle can be both the subject of an artwork and an object to examine alongside other creative work.
Meanwhile, the Backyard Project 2026 rules welcomed amateur and professional builders. Different styles, combustion engines and electric power were all eligible, but motorcycles had to work properly and be ready to ride. Appearance was therefore only part of the proposition: design still had to coexist with functioning machinery.
For Latvian motorcycle clubs, the format could inspire a smaller gathering: a shared ride, travel photography and a conversation with a builder. It would also give non-riders a reason to visit, through an interest in people, craftsmanship and visual culture.