Wow. Bike party riders really stepped up to the plate tonight, to throw together an amazing ride with some fantastic press coverage. Estimates range from 3,500 people at the start to 2,200 riders after the second re-group (both are estimates), but even with such astounding growth, we saw much fewer of the “growing pains” problems of past rides.
Many, many riders stepped up to volunteer as BIRDs keeping our ride peaceful and organized or as planners, testing the route and ensuring its success. If you would like to volunteer, please sign up here. Many more riders read the website and courteously observed our How We Ride rules, reminding each other to stop for red lights and doing an awesome job staying to the right when we could (even the Channel 5 reporter pointed out it would have been hard to keep to the right in downtown, not bad).
We all have ideas, and together we can continue to make Bike Party better. (A lot of us mentioned a desire to bring back more goofy Bike Party spirit – we should come up with some chants or songs for the ride…) The best part of Bike Party is that we keep changing and evolving to meet the needs of San Jose’s growing bike community. So send in your thoughts, your stories, and your feedback, and check back here often to find out about our next planning meeting where we can begin to put it all into action. Happy Bike Party!
Dasfreshyo
August 28, 2009
Good job KS. Keep up the alertness. Look sharp.
Well maybe not 8 sides, but I’m referring to front, diagonal left, diagonal right, directly right, directly left, back and both diagonal angles behind your bike.(blind spots)
Some people have no concept of “OTHER RIDERS” and just veer right to head for the curb when they feel like it. Totally blocking someones path and causing a preventable crash.
I just noticed a lot of newbie riders have NO CLUE of how to slow down or break off a ride, or safely pass another cyclist. They are usually too slow, too close or roll in between 2 bikes riding together.
Ride safe & party!
Rapid Robert
August 29, 2009
The non-bicycling community will be impressed with the benefits of bicycling when they see lots and lots of individual bicyclists properly and considerately riding on the road, not when they see 3000 of them all at once disrupting their immediate plans. Lots and lots more bicyclists will be the result of many good, fun mass bike rides that don’t piss anybody off.
Critical Mass was then, Bike Party is now!
Amber
August 29, 2009
Dear Route Complainers,
We have changed the route every month for the last 2 years. That’s right “mr and ms I have only been on two rides.” We have been riding for two years (Anniversary October, yay!!).
Most of those communities have seen us and we have seen them.
This direction was brand new-as in we NEVER go north and we wanted it that way.
Tying up traffic and being loud in the same neighborhoods is a burden on the community. We like to rotate our routes to new places and different communities so no one gets tired of us/pissed that we exist. That is good PR.
We are NOT trying to be disruptive. If you think that is our goal, stop coming to the ride. Bicycles and cars can coexist. Our ride and the community can co exist.
By rotating routes and going to different communities we are expanding our visual presence to the entire south bay. Not just dense communities.
Next month we also plan on going to less dense liquor store free routes. If you don’t like it, don’t come.
the Ryan
August 29, 2009
the route was fun because it was a lot longer and all the little “hills” over the freeways were cool, too.
can’t wait for the next route!
steveg
August 30, 2009
We (family, friends, and i am sure, most other responsible riders) do NOT think the announcement of the next ride, 24 hours before, keeps the numbers down due to the turnout of the last ride. There were still some DB’s (they will come). I believe we (birds and other folks) posses the power along with the PD to control these few f-knuckles. The rules are known. From a planning perspective, the course should be known, at least a little more advance, so the ordinary attendees can decide whether or not they “plan” to do the ride just the course alone. Personally, i can’t stand the suspense. my2c.
KS
August 30, 2009
Other than a generic area I don’t think SJBP admins should tell us anything. This was we can figure out if we should throw the bike on the bike rack of the car or ride the bike to work.
As far as I’m concerned tweet at noon on the 3rd Friday.
Way less DBs and drunks (almost none) this last ride, but waaaay too many that didn’t bother to read or live the SJBP rules. So I gotta disagree with ya on that Steve.
KS
August 30, 2009
BTW, Steve, that palpable “suspense” that you’re talking is something real that made the numbers go up imho. But we got more of who I’d want to ride with at least… and I didn’t see any accidents,etc.
John M
August 31, 2009
Don]t hide your love for Bike PARTY!!!!
Consider Volunteering:
http://www.sjbikeparty.org/who-we-are
Sept Ride. Come friends, grab a bicycle and go.
testrides
August 31, 2009
Make a difference, become a BIRD. Best way to do that? Join a pre-ride.
Night Pre-Ride: Thurs, Sept. 3rd, 6:45pm
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=145511028693
Day Pre-Ride: Sat, Sept. 12th, 9:00am
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=118975587503
admin
August 31, 2009
The real question should be: How many people would have shown up if the route and starting location was published well in advance…
I wonder.
ks
August 31, 2009
Who knows? All i know is the people that were there were better this time, kinda like a ride from a few months ago, but with tons more. I do miss the smaller rides tho, I thought 250+ was a lot of riders back when.
S.D.S.
August 31, 2009
less cops we can police ourselves
i got a fever and the only cure is a little critical mass
Spliffer
September 1, 2009
@ S.D.S (113)
Dude, seems like you got lost on your way to San Francisco.
We don’t do Critical Mass in San Jose.
That dog won’t hunt in this town.
Oops… (LOL)
Rider
September 4, 2009
alright hippies,
i appreciate your affinity for the sjbp, and your loathing for anyone new who has been critical. no one likes the mcmurphy’s of the world coming in and disrupting their fun. don’t be too judgmental and dismissive, though. newbies bring a fresh perspective to the process, and can improve upon it, despite your distaste for them. open your minds, hippies. try to be more understanding. don’t be so snobby. coexist.