San Jose Bike Party facts for kids
SJ Bike Party group moving as a light turns green on May 17, 2019
|
|
| 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 super fun bicycle ride that happens every month in San Jose, California. It takes place on the third Friday of each month. This event started in 2007 and was the first "bike party" of its kind. Now, similar bike parties happen in cities all over the world!
The main idea behind San Jose Bike Party is "Building community through cycling." This means they want to bring people together who love riding bikes. Lots of people join, from hundreds in winter to thousands in summer!
Contents
Monthly Bike Rides
San Jose Bike Party rides happen on the third Friday of every month. People usually meet up around 7:30 PM, and the ride starts at 8:00 PM.
Each month has a different route and a cool theme. The rides are usually between 15 and 30 miles long. The exact route is shared online and through email just a day or two before the ride. This helps make sure everyone has a safe and fun time.
Rest Stops Along the Way
There are two special spots along the route called "regroup points." These are places where everyone can catch up and take a break. They are like mini-parties with food trucks and music from a DJ! The ride pace is pretty relaxed, so even some families bring their kids along.
Riding at Night
Since the rides start at 8:00 PM, they are usually night rides. If you ride your bike at night in California, you need to have lights and reflectors. This helps everyone stay safe and be seen on the streets.
November 2018 Ride Change
San Jose Bike Party usually rides no matter the weather. But on November 16, 2018, they had to cancel for the first time ever. The air quality was very unhealthy because of smoke from a big wildfire called the Camp Fire. The air was so bad that it was not safe to ride.
The same fun route and "Cartoon/Anime Ride" theme from that cancelled ride were used later in June 2019.
2020 Virtual Rides
Because of 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." This meant people rode on their own but still felt like part of the community.
Focus on Being Friendly and Safe
San Jose Bike Party is different from protest rides. It's all about having fun and being social, not protesting. The group always tells riders to be safe, follow traffic rules, and be good examples. They have six important rules they call "How we ride":
- Stop at lights
- Stay to the right
- Pack your Trash
- Roll Past Conflict
- Ride Responsibly
- Be nice
Following these rules helps keep everyone safe and happy.
Special Guests
Sometimes, local leaders like the Mayor of San Jose or City Council members join the Bike Party rides. This often happens around election times.
Even mayors from other cities have joined! The mayors of Dublin, Ireland, which is a sister city to San Jose, have ridden with Bike Party twice. Special shorter rides were set up for them during their visits.
Since 2016, San Jose Bike Party has also helped with an event called "Bike to the Bay." This ride goes along the Guadalupe River Trail to a festival called "Day on the Bay."
How San Jose Bike Party Works
San Jose Bike Party started in 2007 as a casual group. In 2014, it became a non-profit organization. This means they can accept donations and work with the city on events. It's run completely by volunteers, so no one gets paid.
Awards and Recognition
San Jose Bike Party has won some cool awards! In 2019, they were named "Environmental Organization of the Year" by a local environmental group. They also received a special award from Congresswoman Anna Eshoo for their work.
See also
- Bicycle-friendly communities
- Cycling in San Jose, California
- San Francisco Bike Party
Images for kids
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San Jose Bike Party assembling for departure at start point on May 17, 2019
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San Jose Bike Party at a regroup point on June 21, 2019
