A Bike-Riding Barber Cuts Hair on Broadway, in the Park and on the Roof

Imagine a barbershop where the sky is the ceiling and the bustling cityscape of New York City forms its walls. That is the world of Julien Howard, who is known as the Vélo Barber.

Born and raised in the Bronx and now living in Astoria, Queens, Mr. Howard, 33, has combined his love of cycling and urban exploration into a career that breaks the conventional boundaries of cutting hair.

“When I became a barber, I didn’t want to be confined to one location all the time,” he said. “Being A.D.H.D. and dyslexic, I see the world differently. People might see a square, but I see all the angles and possibilities.”

In search of the “dopest places” to cut hair, he has taken his mobile salon to benches in Central Park, Broadway dressing rooms, secluded city rooftops, historic plazas in Mexico City and the ancient ruins of Machu Picchu.

“It’s incredible to see how a simple change of scenery can transform a routine haircut,” he said.

His career began with an inventive barter at a North Carolina boarding school — haircuts in exchange for Burger King meals. Over the years, he refined his skills, on his own, and then earned his barber’s license.

During this time, Mr. Howard inspected fire systems across New York City, initially navigating the congested city by car. The inefficiency led him to an epiphany.