San Jose Bike Party facts for kids
SJ Bike Party group moving as a light turns green on May 17, 2019
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| Formation | October 2007 |
|---|---|
| Type | non-profit corporation |
| Purpose | bicycle events |
| Location |
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| San Jose Bike Party | |
|---|---|
| Dates | third Fridays |
| Frequency | Monthly |
| Location(s) | route announced 1-2 days before ride |
| Participants | over 1000 in Summer |
San Jose Bike Party is a fun monthly bicycle ride in San Jose, California. It happens on the third Friday of each month. Many people join, from hundreds in winter to thousands in summer! It started in 2007 and was the first "bike party" ever. Now, other cities have their own bike parties too. Their main goal is "Building community through cycling," which means bringing people together through bike rides.
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Join the Monthly Bike Ride!
San Jose Bike Party rides happen on the third Friday of every month. The ride officially starts at 8 PM. Riders are encouraged to meet up around 7:30 PM to get ready.
Each month has a different route and a fun theme. The rides are usually between 15 and 30 miles long. The route is shared online and on social media just a day or two before the ride. This short notice helps keep the rides safe and fun for everyone.
What are Regroup Points?
Along the route, there are two "regroup points." These are places where everyone can stop, rest, and catch up. They often have food trucks and music from a DJ, making them like mini-parties! The ride pace is slow enough that even families with kids can join in.
Riding at Night
The monthly rides start at 8 PM, which means they are usually night rides. From May to August, the ride might start before the sun fully sets.
It's important to know that California law requires bikes to have lights and reflectors when riding on public streets at night. This helps keep everyone safe and visible.
When Rides Are Cancelled
San Jose Bike Party usually rides no matter the weather. However, the ride on November 16, 2018, was cancelled. This was the first time a ride was ever called off. The reason was very unhealthy air quality. Smoke from the Camp Fire (a large wildfire far away) blew into the Bay Area. The Air quality index was very high, meaning the air was unsafe to breathe.
The same route and "Cartoon/Anime Ride" theme from that cancelled ride were used in June 2019.
Bike Party During the Pandemic
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, all San Jose Bike Party rides were cancelled from March to July 2020. From August 2020 to June 2021, the bike parties became "virtual events" instead of in-person rides.
Riding Safely and Being Kind
San Jose Bike Party is different from protest rides. It's a social event for fun, not a protest. The organizers want everyone to ride safely and follow traffic rules. They encourage riders to be good examples for others. They have 6 simple rules for how to ride:
- Stop at lights
- Stay to the right
- Pack your Trash
- Roll Past Conflict
- Ride Sober
- Be nice
Following these rules helps keep everyone safe and happy.
Special Guests and Community Events
Sometimes, local leaders like the Mayor of San Jose or City Council members join the Bike Party rides. This often happens during election times. Even mayors from other cities have joined! For example, two mayors from Dublin, Ireland (San Jose's sister city) have ridden with Bike Party. Special shorter rides were arranged for their visits.
Since 2016, San Jose Bike Party has also helped with the "Bike to the Bay" event. This ride is led by Santa Clara County Supervisor Dave Cortese. It's a group ride in October along the Guadalupe River Trail. The ride goes from downtown San Jose to Alviso Marina County Park for the "Day on the Bay" festival.
How San Jose Bike Party is Organized
San Jose Bike Party started in 2007 as a casual group. It was the first "bike party" and inspired others around the world. In 2014, it became a non-profit organization. This allowed them to accept donations and work with the city on events. It's still run entirely by volunteers, meaning no one gets paid.
Awards and Recognition
San Jose Bike Party has received awards for its work. In 2019, the Santa Clara County chapter of the League of Conservation Voters named them "Environmental Organization of the Year." They also received a "Certificate of Special Congressional Recognition" from Congresswoman Anna Eshoo in September 2019.
See Also
- Bicycle-friendly communities
- Cycling in San Jose, California
- San Francisco Bike Party
