Bike Party on South First Street
Last night, 1,800 riders gathered in downtown’s SoFA district to check out two great bands before embarking on a 25 mile journey through East San Jose and Milpitas. The weather may have been chilly but the vibe was right. Tons of riders were sporting some great new sound systems for our Music Madness theme, adding to the overall awesomeness of the night.
Big thanks to everyone who put this together and everyone who helped out along way. A shout out to everyone at Left Coast Live for hosting a free concert and getting South First Street blocked off, to Good Hustle and Doctor Nurse for some killer performances, to Bicycle Express of downtown San Jose who donated a whopping 100% of their profits from last night to Bike Party, and to all the volunteers and BIRDS who dedicate so much of their time to the ride. It’s amazing to see how much the community is embracing this ride, because in the end, community building is one of our most important goals. We were even joined by some important city officials on this ride. Hope you guys and gals had fun!
As we grow larger with each month, its clear that we are attracting people from a broad spectrum of our community. San Jose is one of the most diverse cities in the country, and this shows in our ride. We should take pride that every age, ethnicity, style of rider, and kind of bike is represented in Bike Party. The hope is that this can translate into people’s daily lives, that it can have a real impact on the way our society operates, that bicycling can become something people of all stations in life can rely on and enjoy.
As we grow in number and as we approach the warm summer months, it’s important to keep in mind why we ride. The freedom and fun Bike Party gives carries with it responsibility. We need to remember to share the road with other users. While a massive amount of cars and bikes occupying the same space will undoubtedly slow things down, we as bicyclists can do our part by keeping the left lane open, not riding against traffic, and giving motorists some space. If we create a positive atmosphere for drivers, they may join us next month, like the woman at McKee and Jackson who shouted out that she was going to buy a bike this weekend so she could ride with us next month. The more people we can inspire, the bigger and better bicycling in San Jose/South Bay will be.
Good Hustle @ Bike Party
It has now been a year since Bike Party grew large enough that actively stopping at red lights became mandatory to keeping the ride alive, and I must say that we have done a terrific job. Red light running is the biggest complaint from communities and police departments in massive bike rides similar to ours, and San Jose is setting a great example by showing that stopping not only works, but can improve the overall ride. Thanks everybody!
Bike Party relies on a massive volunteer effort to stay interesting and strong. If you’d like to help out and “own the ride,” then please stay tuned in to this website as we constantly update it with ways to get involved.
b5125125
May 22, 2010
Good Times once again and had three new riders with me last night. The wifey said “cool bike ride but I froze my ass off” … thank you sjbp brds.
nick
May 22, 2010
Nice post! My count was 1400 riders up at Jacklin and Escuela Parkway in Milpitas, but I’m pretty sure I missed some who were ahead of me, plus I think the wind may have scared a few folks into heading home early after the downtown rush – I imagine we had 2000 at the end of the concert.
frenchie
May 22, 2010
Last nights ride was awesome!!! Brought one new friend and made a few more. It was nice to see all the cops out there supporting us, one cop even told me it was nice that a few of us were stopping at the intersections to let the cross traffic flow through. Already can’t wait till the next bike party!!!
J
May 22, 2010
Overall, it was so great that I decided to help direct cyclists into the first regrouping area on Berryessa with my flashlight. There were some few bad apples here and there like the immature 33 year old (I hope you’re reading this) who purposely rode in front of cars on Piedmont. I had position my bike to force that drunkard off th road and let traffic through. Ugh.
Grey night, nonetheless. At least SJBP finally rode through my neighborhood.
John M
May 22, 2010
Cold winds, but still a great ride. The vibe was upbeat. I was surrounded by music trailers the whole night! People seem to be getting used to “letting cars go” and allowing vehicle traffic to get out of our ride. Really, as many have seen, it’s way easier to do this and doesn’t distort the flow while we ride towards the next spot.
I met a few first time Bike Party people who were grinning from ear to ear the whole night.
Looking forward to next month already.
Thank you to anyone who posted up on a corner or helped out. *props to the fellows in Fremont who busted out a wrench to help someone straighten their wheel.
ryan
May 22, 2010
I agree that we are getting pretty good at co-existing with cars on the road. The first few miles are always tough, but as soon as we got past 680 we’d pretty much gotten a rhythm down. 101 and McKee was something else, though!
Spliffer
May 22, 2010
Wow!
What a great turnout and perhaps — in my opinion — the best ever, well behaved, SJBP crowd for a San Jose vicinity ride I have ever had the pleasure of riding with.
That in itself was a huge surprise!
There were lots of good people out there last night and I hope and pray that this bodes well for the future.
It wasn’t perfect; there were still a few nutty folks out there but, the numbers were significantly reduced from previous rides in the South Bay.
The persistent headwinds made last night’s ride a tough and physically demanding ride. Plus, when you toss in the unseasonably cool night for this late in May, you have the makings of a great challenge.
I loved it! What a awesome workout.
There were great music mixes, cool people everywhere, a positive vibe and a solid route.
It all came together to make a great Friday evening out on a beautiful night.
Just me and my bicycle grooving with a throng of SJBP devotees.
What a life..
It is evident that SJBP has created a platform and building a solid base to take this movement of bike people to another level.
BIKE PARTY FOREVER!
Rapid Robert
May 23, 2010
I thought it was a great ride! Got to the show around 7:30 because of work, and after a ride down from the SCU area with a whopping tailwind. I knew the turn-out would be damped a bit because of that, but it was a big crowd when I got there.
I planned on taking the cutoff, but missed it and went the whole distance. The rolling hills were fun, and I really liked the long downhills on the ride. Hats off to the Milpitas PD for guiding us through! I think the simple visible presence puts a damper on red light runners and especially salmon.
The tailwind on the way home was indeed worth the battle against it. Normally the wind dies down later in the evening, but not this night! A strong tailwind made the cruise home from Milpitas sweeeeeeeet.
Billy Cool (Bill H)
May 23, 2010
… and a great time was had by all. The amount of big boom boxes, smaller boxes, couches, backpacks, etc all blasting music made the ride phenomenal and fun all night. The wind may have been a little chilly, but everyones spirits were warm. Another great ride.
BikeYid
May 24, 2010
A little cooler than I expected, but a fun ride. Really appreciated the helpful police “escorts” through the night.
Ashleigh
May 24, 2010
It was my first bike party and it rocked!! In fact, I had so much fun that I lost my car keys somewhere along the way. If anyone found some keys along the ride or know where i might find mine, let me know! See you next month!! I can’t wait!
Thi
May 24, 2010
does anyone know where i can get one of those sweet SJBP t shirts or hoodies i keep seeing? the black with white print. i saw some vendors selling shirts last friday, but not those. any help?
Billy Cool (Bill H)
May 25, 2010
@ Thi: If they weren’t there on the last ride they will probably be at the next one, at one of our regroups (rest stops). Look for the white van.
bmxer
May 26, 2010
my bike pedal came off at the furthest point in milpitas, luckily some guy had a huge cresent wrench i was able to hammer my pedal back into the smashed threading with then ride home, kick ass!!!!
sjrider
May 26, 2010
it was my first sjbp…never a dull moment from start to finish. damn…i gotta get my sjbp fix soon. where’s the next ride? sjbp rules! bike partaayy!
Rapid Robert
May 28, 2010
Next ride is this weekend. It’s a test ride. A bit faster and fewer riders, but the same spirit.
@bmxer: It’s great, isn’t it? The group that makes up SJBP are diverse and generally really helpful. There’s a minority however, who ride along (not WITH) who don’t respect how we ride, poop on our reputation with the communities we ride through by kicking cars and riding off the street, and who add nothing to the ride. Sorry, but they’re usually on bmx bikes. I hope you spread the joy and word amongst your community that SJBP is here for them IF they respect how we ride.
Having said that, welcome to the party! I hope to see you and your friends on the ride. Bmxers really know how to have fun on a bike, and it’s great seeing them show their skill at the regroups.
Nathan
May 28, 2010
Here’s a video I put together from the Music Madness Test Ride.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T9hgXeJ8CHQ
kelyd
May 28, 2010
San Jose Bike Party sparks noise calls
by Ian Bauer, Milpitas Post
Posted: 05/26/2010 03:20:24 PM PDT
A group calling itself San Jose Bike Party billed its 25-mile cycling journey last Friday night that encompassed San Jose and Milpitas as “Ride No. 32 Music Madness.”
But for some Milpitans, the group of cyclists many with boom boxes attached to their bicycles as they pedaled through town from 9:30 to 11:30 p.m. became an annoyance. Those residents most peeved began calling Milpitas Police Department.
“They created some traffic problems and we did receive noise complaints,” Milpitas police Lt. Sandy Holliday said. “I guess the theme was ÔMusic Madness’ so several riders had boom boxes.”
Holliday added police here helped usher the group that had as many as 1,500 riders through town along streets that included Piedmont, Evans, Jacklin and Dixon Landing roads.
At about 10 p.m., the group wheeled into Milpitas Town Center where about 800 cyclists gathered, while hundreds remained out on the road, Holliday said. She added while at Town Center, one injury was reported.
“Somebody did crash on their bike, and did break their ankle at the Town Center,” Holliday said. “Milpitas Fire Department responded and they were transported to a local hospital.”
Police claim one act of vandalism was associated with the group a U-Haul truck parked on Arizona Avenue near Washington Drive was hit with spray paint.
No citations were handed out during the event. Eventually, the San Jose Bike Party exited Milpitas along South Park Victoria Drive.
“They were pretty much out of the city by 11:30 p.m.,” Holliday said.
This wasn’t the first time that San Jose Bike Party has come to Milpitas.
“They came through town in August 2009,” Holliday said, adding the prior event drew 3,000 to 5,000 riders to southwest Milpitas. “The last time was a little less of an impact because it went through the industrial part of town and not the residential.”
According to San Jose Bike Party’s website, the group meets the third Friday of each month at 8 p.m.
San Jose Bike Party’s stated mission is to build community through bicycling.
“Bike Party rides aim to demonstrate a tangible alternative to car-based transportation and continue to provide a focal point for the local bike-friendly community for the long term. We aim to leave no trace behind except a goodwill toward cyclists in the areas we travel,” the group’s website states.
Rapid Robert
May 30, 2010
So 1500 bicyclists with joyful bells, a few clown horns and some music playing loudly rolled through town at night and caused a few “disturbing the peace” complaints. Despite one tagged truck, sounds like a good time to me!!! NO CITATIONS.
Again, thanks to the milpitas police for guiding us through, and the good citizens of Milpitas for your friendly support, patience and tolerance.
Viral Parekh
June 1, 2010
Check out the videos of earlier Bike party event held on May 21:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c9mjxXr_vK4&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bvOGTWq99QY&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cnczrbHf7nY&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sfHcyTXTulg