How Caro Vilain’s Viral Videos are Steering a Fun-Fueled Cycling Revolution

We might not proclaim Caro Vilain our new hero, but we certainly need a few more like her in the world using her creative energy for the greater cycling good.

In the heart of Santa Monica, where city life meets the serene vistas of the Pacific Ocean, Vilain is garnering attention for her clever social media videos helping to revolutionize the way we perceive urban cycling. A video editor by profession and a cycling enthusiast by passion, Vilain has seamlessly blended her expertise and advocacy to create compelling visual narratives that highlight the daily realities—and possibilities—of bicycle commuting.

Born in France but a Santa Monican by choice, Vilain’s journey into the world of cycling started not out of tradition but necessity.

Vilain explains her journey to becoming an avid cyclist.

Caro Vilain on her trusty gravel bike

“I grew up in France, so many people assume that’s how I started biking, but I actually didn’t bike much until I moved here about 10 years ago,” she says. “My eyesight is limited, so driving isn’t an option for me. I quickly realized that public transit wasn’t the best it could be in LA, so I got a bike.”

She details her reliance on her bike, noting, that’s how she gets around 95 per cent of the time, with the remaining 5 per cent via public transit or walking.

Her choice in bikes is pragmatic as much as it is passionate.

“If I had to pick one bike, it’d be a gravel bike,” she says. “They‘re just great for everything from commuting to bikepacking, grocery shopping, weekend adventures,… and they can handle most LA potholes.”

The Lens of Advocacy

Two years ago, Vilain added a new tool to her advocacy arsenal—a camera mounted on her bike. Initially intended for safety, the camera soon became a powerful medium for storytelling.

“I’ve been using a camera on my bike for a little under two years… I first got it for safety because hit-and-runs are disturbingly common these days,” she says. “But as a video editor, from the very first time I used it, I thought, ‘hey, I could easily edit these things and use it to bring awareness to some of the things many of us deal with every day!’ And that’s how the account started.”

Vilain’s latest project, a clever Instagram video comparing interactions with car drivers and non-car drivers, encapsulates her creative approach to advocacy. The video, which showcases both negative and positive experiences on the road, aims not to divide but to enlighten.

 

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“As much as I use my platform to bring awareness to a lot of issues, I don’t want it to be something that pushes people away from active transportation,” she says. “So when the idea of doing a supercut of some of my bad interactions with drivers crossed my mind, I figured I should also show some of the many great interactions you get to have when people aren’t in cars.”

The response to her video has been overwhelming.

“The video was posted just yesterday, and I still can’t open Instagram without seeing hundreds of new notifications, so I’d say it’s getting quite a bit of attention,” Vilain says. “And I’m really glad to see that the vast majority of it is positive, or at least very understanding of what’s being presented.”

Screenshot from Vilain’s latest video

This reception not only underscores the relevance of her message but also amplifies her motivation to continue her advocacy.

“As an editor, I have a sense of what’s likely to grab people’s attention and how to get a message across without necessarily explaining it, so I figured this would be a good way to appeal to people regardless of whether or not this is a topic they already care much about,” Vilain adds.

The core of Vilain’s social media and video advocacy is to contribute to a safer, more accessible public space for all.

“The ultimate goal is to try to contribute to the current movement that’s working to make our streets safer and more accessible for all,” she says. “There’s no bike lobby or radical bike mafia, just people who care about each other and see all the amazing ways in which active transportation can help solve lots of issues and make our lives better.”

Through her videos, Caro aims to attract even those who might not yet be interested in the topic, helping them see the personal and societal benefits of active transportation.

 

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Community and Commitment

Beyond her videos, Caro is deeply involved in local cycling and mobility advocacy groups. She volunteers with organizations like Streets For All and several BikeLA chapters, striving to foster a sense of community and encourage active participation in shaping the future of transportation in Santa Monica and beyond.

“The state of cycling infrastructure in Santa Monica really depends on where you look at it from. It is by far one of the best, if not the best, places to get around without a car in the LA region, and I’m incredibly grateful for it and for all the projects they have in the works,” Vilain says. “But if you start comparing it to European cities or even New York City or Portland, we still have a lot of work to do.”

Momentum wrote about Santa Monica’s growing bicycle network here.

A Vision for the Future

As reactions continue to pour in, Vilain is touched by the personal stories and shifts in perspective her video has inspired.

In a world grappling with environmental, social, and urban challenges, Vilain’s innovative blend of advocacy, artistry, and personal engagement offers a beacon of hope. Her work not only challenges us to rethink our urban mobility but invites us to pedal alongside her towards a more sustainable and inclusive future.