In a recent conversation with a Bike East Bay member, an interesting quirk surfaced: there are no two members of Bike East Bay who are alike. It sounds obvious, but with a bike coalition like ours, you might expect a certain “type” or “block” of riders, however that’s not the case for our membership. We encompass recreational bicyclists, commuters, weekend warriors, bike bus leaders, “radical bike lobby”ists and quiet supporters. There are lots of things that unify us: passion for mobility justice and a desire to see safer streets in our lifetimes, but our diversity should also be celebrated, and loudly. What better time or way to celebrate than PRIDE?
This June, hop on your bike and shout out your pride for everyone to hear from the saddle! We’re partnering with the Oakland LGBTQ Community Center and City of Oakland to bring you the Lake Merritt Pride Ride again; after more than 10 years of collaboration, we are excited to make this Lake Merritt Pride Ride the most fun and creative yet!
Pride Bike Decorating Party
Oakland LGBTQ Community Center
3207 Lakeshore Ave, Oakland
Wednesday, May 27 from 5-7pm
The events will kick off with a bike decorating party on Wednesday, May 27 at the Oakland LGBTQ Community Center; we’ll have free snacks and bike decorations, like custom spoke charms, to get you glam for the big day, but feel free to bring your own if you really want to get splashy!
To arrive by transit, take BART to 19th St/Broadway station or AC Transit lines NL or 12.
Lake Merritt Pride Ride
Oakland LGBTQ Community Center
3207 Lakeshore Ave, Oakland
Saturday, June 6 from 11am-2pm (roll out 11:30am)
This year, the Lake Merritt Pride Ride will take place on Saturday, June 6 at the Oakland LGBTQ Community Center. We’ll complete two to three laps around Lake Merritt and stop at the Oakland Public Library (125 14th St) to check out a curated selection of books by LGBTQ+ authors. Library card services will also be available.
To arrive by transit, take BART to 19th St/Broadway station or AC Transit lines NL or 12.
Pride Ride After Party
Sante Adairius
460 8th St, Oakland
Saturday, June 6 from 2-4pm
We’ll wrap up at Sante Adairius Rustic Ales in Old Oakland for an after-party with self-service bike parking, free snacks, drinks for purchase (like delicious Belgian beers) and live drag performances.
Bike East Bay is committed to supporting of folks of all identities and lived experiences. As bicycle advocates, we must recognize and account for the ways that white supremacy, sexism, classism and other oppressive systems have shaped bicycling and excluded marginalized communities. To build a more just and equitable transportation system, we must address society’s systemic inequalities, including those based on race, ethnicity, class, legal status, ability, gender, sexuality or age so that all people can experience the freedom to move and travel in ways that are meaningful to them. Pride gives us the opportunity to celebrate while we acknowledge there’s still work to be done.
Let’s bring the noise, bring the joy, and make this Pride our loudest and proudest yet. See you out there!
Happy Pride!
