{"id":2269,"date":"2018-01-02T10:57:20","date_gmt":"2018-01-02T18:57:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/oaklandmofo.com\/?p=2269"},"modified":"2023-10-06T13:09:17","modified_gmt":"2023-10-06T21:09:17","slug":"east-bay-bike-party","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/oaklandmofo.com\/blog\/east-bay-bike-party","title":{"rendered":"East Bay Bike Party! San Jose Bike Party! SF Bike Party!"},"content":{"rendered":"

If you are looking for information about the BIKE PARTY! You are in the right place.
\nChances are you saw a large group of bikers with fancy lights, sound systems, blinky things and drinks in hand rolling through your city screaming BIKE PARTY over and over. <\/p>\n

Here is all the information you need to know in order to join them on their next bike party through the Bay Area.
\n\"bike<\/p>\n

Bike Party Dates<\/h2>\n

1st Fridays<\/strong> – San Francisco Bike Party [site<\/a>]
\n2nd Fridays<\/strong> – East Bay Bike Party [site<\/a>]
\n3rd Fridays<\/strong> – San Jose Bike Party [site<\/a>]
\n\"arrow\" awesome lights for your bike<\/a><\/p>\n

You can always find the current “theme” with the blog post and find “trial rides” that occur on other dates before the actual Bike Party.<\/p>\n

I myself have been going to the East Bay Bike Party since the very first ride in May of 2010. I went to every ride, every month for a few years until I moved from Oakland. I did think Oakland was a unique pioneer of such things but I moved to Portland where this was normal, more frequent, had entire months dedicated to bike party themes and more. Oakland was early on though before many cities.<\/p>\n

I was also at San Francisco Bike Party’s very first ride in December of 2010 and went to many SF Bike Parties over the years. I tell you, with all those hills, they are a lot more intense.<\/p>\n

\"us
\nHere we are at Bike Party Oakland at the Port of Oakland Harbor View Park stop.<\/p>\n

East Bay Bike Party Rules<\/h3>\n

Here we go over the rules. They have changed very little since the first ride in May of 2010, but they have changed. Let’s go over them.<\/p>\n

Original Rule #1:<\/strong> Stay in the right lane
\nCurrent Rule #1:<\/strong> Stay to the right (let cars pass)!
\nChange?<\/strong> Now it is “to the right” and not “right lane” so you decide.
\nYou can see here as a car plows through the crowd of bikers<\/a>, they are at fault by taking over both lanes. The guy saw the car coming a mile away and wanted to be part of that incident. No car should be trapped for a rolling drunk fest.<\/p>\n

Original Rule #2:<\/strong> Stop at red light
\nCurrent Rule #2:<\/strong> Stop at lights (especially at major intersections!)
\nChange?<\/strong> Now it seems a little optional unless it is a major intersection.
\nBikes want the same treatment as cars but refuse to follow the same rules. Bike Party does not use stop signs and only uses some lights. And of course does not stay in their lane.<\/p>\n

Original Rule #3:<\/strong> Ride straight, ride predictably
\nCurrent Rule #3:<\/strong> Ride straight (predictably, don’t cut off\/swerve at people)
\nChange?<\/strong> These only changed as far as order because it was originally #4 behind leave no trace. However, the rule is in place because drunk people crash into others all of the time. I have seen it many times.<\/p>\n

Original Rule #4:<\/strong> Roll past conflict
\nCurrent Rule #4:<\/strong> Don’t hate (roll past conflict)
\nChange?<\/strong> They felt the need for “don’t hate” which insinuates you’re the one starting a conflict but it could be because so many more ghetto people started showing up and they be hating\/starting conflict.<\/p>\n

Original Rule #5:<\/strong> Pack your trash (Leave no trace)
\nCurrent Rule #5:<\/strong> Pack your trash (pack-in, pack-out! or find a bin)
\nChange?<\/strong> Just a word change considering it sounded like they were copying Burning Man.<\/p>\n

Original Rule #6:<\/strong> Ride Sober (Safety is sexy!)
\nCurrent Rule #6:<\/strong> Don’t get smashed (stay safe & in control)
\nChange?<\/strong> They realized everyone is drinking\/drunk and they can not make a “ride sober” a rule. So Bike party is now a self admitting rolling CUI. Luckily the fine is only like $250<\/a>.
\nIt could be less. I got a “drinking in public ticket” in Berkeley one bike party. We were off the main path and a cop decided to target only me of our group. I am the tallest and always stand out. He gave me about a $100 ticket and even let me finish my beer(I kind of demanded it) rather than pouring it out. Such a joke.<\/p>\n

Original Rule #7:<\/strong> Leave no one behind
\nCurrent Rule #7:<\/strong> MISSING
\nChange?<\/strong> I guess it is fine to leave people behind now. But generally if someone gets a flat or loses a chain, many people will help.<\/p>\n

Original Rule #7:<\/strong> MAKE NOISE!!! We like hootin\u2019 and hollerin\u2019, so bring your voices and your noise makers!
\nCurrent Rule #7:<\/strong> MISSING
\nChange?<\/strong> I guess they do not want to make “be annoying” a rule anymore because Bike Party can be annoying. Thousands of people yelling Bike Party over and over for hours.<\/p>\n

FAQ’s<\/h3>\n

Do you still have questions after their vague set of rules? I know I would.<\/p>\n

Can anyone join Bike Party?<\/strong> Yes, anyone may join.<\/p>\n

What are the dates of Bike Party?<\/strong> Depending on your city, the dates are as follows. East Bay 2nd Fridays. San Francisco 1st Fridays. San Jose 3rd Fridays.<\/p>\n

Does my bike have to have lights?<\/strong> While it is not a bike party rule and they are OK with you breaking the law, it is a CA State Law<\/a> that requires you to have lights and reflectors at night. You should have normal safety lights at bare minimum. You do not need fancy party lights but it is a lot more fun when you do.<\/p>\n

Do I have to wear a helmet?<\/strong> No, it is not required nor law(unless under 18). However due to all the drunkards it is a good idea. Sometimes you are barreling down a hill and surrounded by strangers drinking. I started wearing a helmet after seeing a guy get fully taken out at SF Bike Party. He looked like he would never walk again. I really don’t even know if he lived.<\/p>\n

\"bike
\nAnother Bike Party stop in Oakland. This was near the water between Jack London Square and 5th Street Marina on Embarcadero.<\/p>\n

\"scraper
\nIf you know, you know. If not watch this music video, Scraper Bikes<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\"bike
\nThis photo is from the very first San Francisco Bike Party in December of 2010. I took it on top of a hill at one of our rest stops.<\/p>\n

East Bay Bike Party!<\/h2>\n

I am a huge fan of the East Bay Bike Party(join group<\/a> for invites to rides) and San Francisco Bike Party so I put together this little page to help promote it’s awesomeness.
\nThe idea is a themed ride every month and people do dress up. We have done zombies, pirates, cowboys, super heroes, happy birthday, mustache ride, pajamas, monochrome, Waldo’s and so on.<\/p>\n

A lot of people also put \"arrow\" awesome lights<\/a> on their bikes direct from Amazon.<\/p>\n

Usually you have 3 or more bikes toting along slamming sound systems with awesome music such as Daft Punk, Pretty Lights, Jurassic 5, NWA, Gotye and much much more. Lots of good riding music and if you don’t like one system you can ride up ahead to the next. Every stop we make turns into a dance party with multiple sound systems and dance floors.<\/p>\n

I like to bring my Blue LED Frisbee<\/a> out when we stop in parks. I bought it for Burning Man<\/a> many years ago and since I’ve been doing this a lot of people have bought LED Frisbees! I guess I started a trend.
\nAnyways Bike Party is always good times. We tend to end up at a park or a bar near BART and everyone is happy.<\/p>\n

We have gone on rides through Oakland, Alameda, Piedmont, Berkeley, El Ceritto, San Leandro, Hayward, Castro Valley and more. However we have yet to go through the Caldecott Tunnel to that place that some consider East Bay. I call it San RaDublinTon CreekVille.<\/p>\n

Along the way the rules include staying in the right lane, being courteous to all traffic, stopping at all red lights and of course rolling past conflict. This is nothing like the angry mob known as Critical Mass(which can still be fun). This is enjoyable and chill. It is not a race, we roll on through like a mobile party with organization, volunteers to direct the ride and fun and games at stops.<\/p>\n

Protect Your Bike! Bikes Stolen at Bike Party<\/h3>\n

While this is a good vibe and an awesome group of people, it is a target for bike theft. Many bikes have been stolen due to how easy it is when everyone is distracted. Never leave your bike unlocked anywhere. And make sure you have a
\ngood bike lock<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Bike Party Videos<\/h2>\n