Just when I thought pole dancing had gotten as cutting edge as it could be, I discovered Andrew Katzander of PoleRiders. Pole doesn’t get any better than this.

PoleRiders is about the coolest thing ever. What got you started with it?

I was riding along the west side bike path along the river past the Hustler Club. I looked up and the Idea hit me. It was a 1+1=5 moment. I told a couple of cycling friends who are also industrial designers and we knew it had to be done. We picked the 2008 NYC Halloween Parade to launch the first PoleRider.

PoleRiders’ mission is to promote bicycle safety and “bring pole dancing to the streets where dancing belongs.” What do you do to help get the word out about your work?

We are sponsored by Bern helmets and try to make safe cycling part of our message. Just doing what we do is our own best promotion.

What response do you get when people see you bicycling and pole dancing down the streets?

Their jaws drop and they say “WTF,” then they start frantically fumbling for their cameras. Sometimes they run over waving money.

How do you find your amazing pole dancers – and how do they hang on while you pedal through traffic?

I found my first dancers on Craigs. Since then it has been word of mouth. As far as how do they hang on, I have no idea – especially when they are upside down hanging from one ankle.

Bike riding and pole dancing pet peeves:

Lewd comments and people who try to jump on are really annoying.

Who would you most like to have in the street when you ride by?

Good question. My first thought is Queen Elizabeth.

Who is your hero or role model?

I admire those whose ideas and actions have changed the world in a positive way in science, art, politics, etc.

After seeing this post, Andrew wrote me and said, “My biggest hero and influence, now that I have had time to think about it, is Buckminster Fuller.”

What are your favorite words of encouragement?

Go for it.

Favorite pizza toppings:

Sausage, mushrooms, and garlic.

Cupcakes or ice cream?

To eat or sit on?

If you’ve been lucky enough to see PoleRiders pedal by, share your story with us in the comments! And if you’re enough of a pole addict to dream of pole dancing your way across Manhattan, be sure to check out these articles, too.