Whether you hopped on your bike, pledged to ride, or celebrated in spirit, we appreciate your support in making Bike to Wherever Day a huge success. From tiny toddlers on balance bikes to seasoned commuters and ride club MVPs, it was awesome to see people on bikes reclaim our streets with such vibrant joy.
While this is a regional celebration, the East Bay is known for going big. We distributed nearly 10,000 bags at our 140 Energizer Stations, all made possible by volunteers who stuffed totes, delivered flyers, and hosted welcoming and joyful stations. We also saw multiple bike rides with elected officials, hundreds of kids biking to school, and a groovy happy hour in Old Oakland. At the end of the day, we counted more than 13,000 riders across the East Bay!
May is an important month for us: more than any other time in the year, new people are introduced to Bike East Bay for the first time. We see a big jump in membership, higher attendance in our free Bike Education classes, and an openness among folks curious about swapping out a car ride for a bike ride.
We are still collecting stories and snapshots from across the East Bay. We will be updating this post regularly with more data points, rider statistics, and fresh photos as they roll in, so be sure to check back soon!
Energizer Stations leveled up!
Wow, the creative juices were flowing this year! Energizer Stations are run by volunteers, neighbors, schools, and organizations who want to create joyful outposts in their communities. We send station hosts tote bags and encourage them to give high-fives, but give them freedom to decorate their table or pass out whatever goodies inspire them.Â
This year we saw temporary tattoos, an abundance of snacks, a waffle-making station, amazing photo frames, freshly baked goods, free bike repair, and more!
Bike to School Day
It was such a highlight to see kids and their families biking to school– we heard a few parents share that it was their first time trying out the morning drop-off on bike, and they were excited to try it again.
Our friends with Alameda County’s Safe Routes to School program helped align Bike to School Day with the broader Bike to Wherever Day, so we had high student participation this year – over 80 schools joined in the fun!Â
Oakland Pedal Pools
Walk Oakland Bike Oakland (WOBO) coordinated Pedal Pools with Oakland’s elected officials again this year. We were joined by County Supervisor Nikki Fortunato Bas, D3 Councilmember Carroll Fife, D2 Councilmember Charlene Wang, and EBRPD Board Member Luana España (and a celebrity sighting: the illustrious bike lane mini-sweeper)!
Participants met at designated neighborhood hubs, pedaling toward Frank Ogawa Plaza for a return of the legendary pancake breakfast. Thanks to our friend Pamela Palma for these photos!
Old Oakland Happy Hour
We wrapped up our evening with an annual favorite: our Old Oakland Bike Happy Hour! WOBO were great co-hosts, and it was wonderful to see hundreds of riders roll into the historic streets of Old Oakland and celebrate the end of a great day.
We kept the energy high with a live DJ set, a brief ceremony for our Alameda & Contra Costa Bike Champions of the Year, a special storytime from local author and illustrator Aparna Krishnamoorthy, and ice-cold Drake’s Beer.Â
Shout out to all the local businesses who offered BTWD discounts and specials. We heard at least one person took Sacred Tattoo up on their offer for a bikey flash tattoo!
We love seeing all the photos you’ve tagged us in, and all the ways you’ve been celebrating biking!
If you have any pictures you’d like to share (and are okay with us using them in future Bike East Bay communications), you can email them to Media@BikeEastBay.org