Timelapse Filming by Bike: Interview with Kirill Neiezhmakov

Timelapse creators are always searching for new ways to explore a city efficiently while capturing stunning shots. In his Valencia timelapse video (embedded below), filmmaker Kirill Neiezhmakov shares the results of a project where he relied on a folding bike to move between shooting locations. The bike itself isn’t shown in the final cut, but behind the scenes it became an essential tool. For timelapse makers who also think bikes are a cool and clever way to work, his approach offers some valuable lessons.

Tips for timelapse filming by bike

If you’ve ever thought about combining cycling with your filmmaking workflow, you’ll appreciate Kirill’s perspective. In this interview, he shares practical tips on planning gear, staying flexible in the city, and making the most of timelapse filming by bike.

What made you decide to bring a folding bike for this project? Did it turn out to be a game-changer, or just another piece of gear to wrangle?

I had been thinking about doing a road trip for a long time, and one of the main reasons was that I could take a folding bike in the car trunk. Living in Lisbon, I had already tested this method of moving around the city, and it turned out to be very practical: I could leave the car outside the city center, where parking is always a nightmare, and then continue by bike. In Valencia, it really made moving between shooting locations much faster and simpler. So yes, it became a real game-changer.

How much equipment were you actually carrying on the bike each day, and how did you manage to keep it safe while moving around?

All my equipment was in one big backpack, including the tripods strapped to it, so everything was on my shoulders. It wasn’t light, but definitely easier than walking with it all day. If I needed to stop for a shoot, I would simply lock the bike and then walk a bit with the backpack.

How did you manage to transport all of your equipment on a folding bike? Did you use special bags, racks, or just improvise?

I didn’t use any special bags or racks at the time, even though they might have made things a little easier. But on the other hand, I would have spent more time packing and unpacking gear, which could slow me down. After this trip, I discovered some racks that attach under the seat and can support a backpack, which I might try in the future.

Did you ever feel limited by what you could bring with you on the bike, or did it actually force you to be more creative with a lean setup?

I usually had my standard setup with me, so no excess gear. But I also carefully planned each day in advance, deciding what kind of shots I wanted and which equipment I really needed. For example, if I planned to shoot only hyperlapses, there was no point bringing a second or third camera since I wouldn’t have time to use them anyway. But when I knew I’d be doing more static shots, I could take a bit more gear, because I didn’t need to keep the backpack on my shoulders the whole time.

Were there situations where the bike gave you a real advantage over moving on foot or by public transport?

Yes, almost always. I wasn’t tied to any fixed routes or schedules, which made me much more flexible. Valencia is also a perfect city for cycling: it has a great network of bike lanes, and the terrain is flat, with no steep hills. So the bike saved me a lot of time and energy.

If someone wanted to try the same approach in another city, what tips would you give for combining cycling and timelapse shooting?

The most important advice is to buy a very strong lock and use a GPS tracker, because bike theft is common in many cities. And whenever possible, keep the bike in your line of sight during shooting. It’s a terrible feeling to finish a shot and find that your bike has disappeared. That actually happened to me later in Lyon, which disrupted my shooting plans a lot. I had to buy another bike in a different city just to continue my project, but by then I had already lost some valuable time.

Kirill’s workflow shows how two wheels can save time, simplify logistics, and even inspire more creative planning. For timelapse filmmakers tackling urban projects, a folding bike might just become the secret weapon behind smoother shoots and stronger results.