Before Pedalfest began, the party had already started. As vendors put the final touches on their booths, scraper bikes cruised Jack London Square blasting beats, amphibious bikes rolled in, and the beer booths were set up. The morning may have started out foggy, but Pedalfest was looking like a clear day of shenanigans.
A free annual festival, Pedalfest brings an estimated 20,000 bike lovers and bike-curious people to Jack London Square. A celebration of bikes, cycling, food, and family, Pedalfest is produced by Bike East Bay to promote bicycling and bike-friendly communities across the East Bay.
“Pedalfest is always a fun celebration,” said Ginger Jui, Executive Director. “It’s an opportunity to enjoy some true bicycle shenanigans, connect with other bicyclists, and get involved in bike advocacy in the East Bay.”
Seven spectacular land and sea-worthy bikes participated in the amphibious bike race, presented by John Muir Health | UCSF Health. Racers lapped Jack London Square before dropping down into the Oakland Estuary. Always a crowd-pleaser, one of the amphibious bikes made an especially big splash this year. Watch the winning vehicle, The Notorious Snark, enter the estuary in the video here.
Bicycle and unicycle stunt shows stunned crowds all day long. Bike stunt professionals Zak Maeda and Casey Holm showcased brilliant bicycle balancing and agility from the Bay Area Bicycle Law Main Stage. Perfection On Wheels BMX Stunt Team wowed crowds with gravity-defying tricks on Harrison Street. Local unicyclists taught people to ride one-wheeled wonders on Franklin St. between impressive stunt shows on the main stage.
Kids of all ages enjoyed Peter Wagner’s custom Whymcycle collection. Created from an assortment of recycled bicycle and car parts, the Whymcycles are a strange and wonderful collection of bicycle curiosities. From penny-farthing high wheelers to miniature hand cycles, the bikes are exemplary examples of the possibilities of bicycle engineering.
All day long, people enjoyed food, Drake’s beer, Rock the Bike’s pedal-powered stage featuring live music, Cycles of Change’s kids bike rodeo, Trek’s e-bike test track, and the most amazing collection of bicycles to be seen from vintage and hand-built bikes to high-end customs, sturdy commuters, and creative art bikes.
Thank you to the sponsors, volunteers, community partners, and vendors who power Pedalfest every year. A special thank you to the Amphibious Bikes, Tom Holub and the Berkeley Unicyclists, Calavaras Bike Club, and the Scraper Bike Team.
