Category: Events in 2014
Thank you for choosing to bike!
It wasn’t Thanksgiving Day yet, but we felt we wanted to do something to show our appreciation to fellow bicyclists- those who choose a bicycle over a car to get to work. Therefore, we got an idea to pass out some treats to people who were passing by with their bikes.
First, Nellie made a prototype of the kind of treat we would be giving out.
Then she made a whole bunch more.
Last Friday evening, August 22nd, we handed them out to bike commuters coming off the Jack London Square ferries. Here are some photos of some of the folks we met.
Christian
Kelly
Nice Guy
Nice Gal
Curious Commuter
Another happy commuter
Thank you to all of you who choose to go from point A to point B by bicycle!
Happy pedaling!
Bird’s-Eye View of the East Bay Bike Party
Image from the East Bay Bike Party
I was going through the memory cards for my camera and I completely forgot to post this 8 minute video I got of the East Bay Bike Party which happened a couple of weeks ago. It’s better late than never.
It was cool to see it from a different angle- in this case a bird’s-eye view.
The bike party passed by about 10:30 pm and lasted for about 25-30 minutes. They came in waves and I could tell you that the numbers of bike partiers numbered close to a thousand. Nellie and I were enthused the whole time and thought, “Wow, they just keep on coming!”
20th Anniversary Bike To Work Day: Recap
This year is Bike To Work Day’s 20th Anniversary. Bike To Work Day (BTWD) strategy is to encourage bicycling as a non-polluting and healthy commute option. These are pretty much my two reasons why I bike. To make it easy and encourage newbies, there are dozens of Energizer Stations (some with free bike repairs) located everywhere. These stations are locally sponsored and have free stuffs from bagels to chocolate chip cookies to coffee (and bananas). What’s great about these stations is that each station is sponsored by a different venue and you can chat with the employees that volunteer for that day.
I am a bike ambassador for my workplace and so to celebrate this year’s BTWD, I wanted to lead a ride to work. It was just a lot of fun being part of it and seeing more people come out to ride. I would put this as the most important day for any bike advocate. Here is my recap…
BTWD bag for everyone that stops by an Energizer Station via bike. It has some goodies inside.
Caltrans station in front of my building. I am glad this biggest transportation agency recognizes biking as an alternative to driving. They are “evolving”, I guess.
Here were my two companions for the ride at Oakland Public Library station. Kelly and Jesse. It was Kelly’s first time bike commuting in Oakland. Good for her!
Here was the tourism agency station at Jack London Square ferry terminal. This was where we got on the ferry ride over the bay to South San Francisco for work.
So in the evening, my ferry/bike commuters all went to the Bike Happy Hour Party in Old Town. It was hosted by Bike East Bay coalition.
Free bike valet parking at the Party. Thank you bike valet!
It looked like a line for beers but nope, it’s a long line for bike valet.
I always like to see families riding together. This little girl asked, “why are we stopping, Daddy?”
Kelly got a flat tire on her first day of commuting. I hope this is does not discourage her from biking to work.
Who does not like foosball?!
Too many people wanted to play ping pong, so everyone got a paddle and took turn hitting the ball one at a time. LOL!
People were just having too much fun!
Here are my bike/ferry commuter friends. Thanks Mike (the guy in blue jacket) for the beer!
Rob Prinz, Bike East Bay’s education director, training for the Climate Ride…really.
A party is never a party without live music.
I really enjoyed this year’s BTWD. Next year, I am planning to take the whole day off from work and visit every Energizer Stations. Sounds like a good plan?
For all those who are new to bike commuting on May 8th, I hope it’s a beginning of many more bike commuting days for you.
Happy BTWD!
Video: Susan Watson Memorial Ferry & Bike Ride
We put together this video to capture the spirit of Susan’s memorial ride last Friday evening. We were so impressed with all the people that came out for her and to show support. We hope that positive changes will come out of Susan’s death.
Once again, a huge thanks to all those who helped make this memorial possible. Lorn and Owen for building the ghost bike and setting up the event, Robert from the EBBC for advising, supporting us, and helping to get the word out, Chris from WOBO for advising, Wilson for helping us get the word out to all the folks at the East Bay Bike Party, Scraper Bikes for coming out and showing support, Denise at Banh Cuon Tay Ho Restaurant for accommodating us for dinner after the event, all the friends, family, and co-workers who knew Susan and others who came out that night for her and to support the cause. You guys are awesome!
There is an inexplicable feeling of camaraderie among the bike community that I hope shines through in this video and in all that we do. We are so glad to be a part of this great and growing bike community.
Please forward this video to anyone who knew Susan or that you think might be interested.
Be safe, ride well, and ride every day!
See also:
Update: Susan, a ferry passenger and bike commuter just died…
Reminder: Susan Watson’s Memorial Ride this Friday
Hello fellow bicyclists,
We want to remind you guys that the Memorial Ferry and Bike Ride for Susan Watson is this Friday, 1/17. Details about the ride can be found in our last post.
Also, we made this flyer, below, that we are going to be handing out to participants and bystanders. Its purpose is to introduce people to Susan Watson and call attention to bicycle improvements. Please feel free to print some to hand out yourself or use in your own publications, etc.
PDF File – Click Image Below to Enlarge
We look forward to seeing you all there!
Please join us: A Memorial Ferry and Bike Ride for Susan R. Watson
Thanks to some wonderful organizers, there will be a memorial ferry and bike ride to honor fallen bicyclist Susan R. Watson while calling attention to bicycle infrastructure improvements. Please join us on the evening of Friday, January 17th as we start by taking our bikes aboard the 5:20pm ferry from Oyster Point in South San Francisco (the ferry Susan used to take) and landing at the ferry terminal in Jack London Square in Oakland. Those of you who cannot take the ferry can just meet us at Jack London Square where the ferry will land at 6:00pm.
From there, we will then ride along a planned route which will increase our visibility to truck drivers coming from the Port of Oakland. Please make and have signs asking for truck drivers to ‘Share the Road’ and also asking the city to do more to improve bicycle safety and infrastructure.
Our ride will stop at the corner of 5th and Market which is where Susan Watson was killed. We will visit her ghost bike, say a few words, place candles and flowers, and clean the area around her ghost bike.
“While this will not bring Susan back, we have to celebrate her and do our best to improve on the conditions that resulted in her not being here any more.
I rode the ferry last Friday to work and the magic of being on the ferry was diminished for me. I had the upper-outside deck all to myself for most of the ride. It was a 40 min long moment of silence for Susan. I was just getting to know her…”
– inmemoryofsusanrwatson.wordpress.com
After the ceremony, those who want to can join us as we make our way to the Vietnamese restaurant Banh Cuon Tay Ho (344 12th St. between Harrison and Webster Sts.) in Oakland’s Chinatown for dinner. The restaurant is a bicycle-friendly business and offers a 10% discount if you come with your bike helmet. There is also plentiful bike parking on racks in front of the restaurant.
Please bring with you:
- Signs asking truck drivers to ‘Share the Road’ and calling for the city to do more to improve bicycle safety and infrastructure
- Bike lights, the more the better
- Flowers, candles, etc. to place at Susan’s ghost bike
- If riding the ferry, the fare is $7
- Your bike helmet is required to get the Pedaler’s Discount at the restaurant
The route map is here.
For more information, visit: inmemoryofsusanrwatson.wordpress.com and the event page on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/events/550355481726399/
Please help us get the word out!
Special thanks to Lorn and Owen for setting this up, Robert from the EBBC and Chris from WOBO for advising.
Related reading:
Truck drivers and traffic engineers need to rethink bicycle safety
Update: Susan, a ferry passenger and bike commuter just died…
I Love Biking SF 