Love Oakland joined the East Bay Bike Party’s Pre-Apocalypse Bike Party on Friday 12/14/12. Big ups to the hundreds of brave riders that pedal power partied through Uptown, Downtown, West Oakland, and Lake Merritt! The party begins at a random start point, this month at Macarthur BART. On Friday evenings, entire BART trains are filled with bicyclists on their way to Bike Party.

Above: One of hundreds of bike party riders, surrounded by sound bikes, a crowd of dancers, in the open night at the first of three, Bike Party stops. 2012 Nuclear Hazard Gas Mask cashmere beanie handmade by LaRece Construction.

Earlier in the day, there were reports that Channel 2 KTVU elected the Bike Party as one of two End of the World festivities. The other option was a themed San Francisco hotel dinner for a thousand dollars. The latter couldn’t be more extremely different from the Bike Party on so many levels. The Bike Party is known for family-friendly fun for all, deeply rooted in the community, riding through ‘hoods throughout East and West Oakland, and “far east” locations such as Richmond, Hayward, Fremont, and even Concord / Walnut Creek. Best of all, you need only your two wheeled human powered vehicle. Human powered vehicles such as tandems, tall bikes, skateboards were also in line with the bike party.

Above: An art themed bike covered in stainless steel scales, forming a fish. To the right are the glowing speakers of the Tube-a-Boom bike.

Rock The Bike, based in Berkeley, California, brought a couple of their sound bikes. The ride leader was on the “Tube-a-Boom”, a long wheelbase cargo bike featuring four cannon like speakers mounted to the back, glowing blue, radially. The second bike weighed in at 370lbs and was packing monster heat with its modified loudspeakers – 4,000 watts – and a bike/trailer combined wheelbase beyond 13 feet. When this sound bike rolled past Uptown’s Fox Theater, flanked by bike party riders, and a soundtrack 4×4 house beat remixed “I Got 5 On It,” sonic booming between the building walls, sidewalk pedestrians and club goers waved their hands in the air, dancing, shaking and yelling, “Bike Party!” When you’re in the bike party, it’s okay to be loud and vocal. The motto is, after all, “When in doubt, Bike Party!”

Above: Riders clearly amazed at the quality of music and sound from the Rock The Bike sound bike!

Above: Tandem bike, sound bike, road bike, sharing the lane and open space in West Oakland.

The night’s ride route was 15-miles, a manageable ride for all levels of cyclists, that included riding into the West Oakland space typically filled with the noise and pollution of the industrial machines of big rig trucks and trains. However, on a Friday night, the operators have all gone home to their families and thus, massive wide roads are open for the taking. When centered with hundreds of cyclists in all directions, one cannot help but feel empowered and free. Bike Party!

Nearing the second stop, the soundtrack played, “What’s Good?!” A jeweled Bay Bridge in view. The city skyline. The lack of running motor vehicles. The waterfront. All your friends riding with you. Club music without the four walls or cover fee. What’s good? Everything in its right place!

Above: What’s Good!? VIP Bike Party style with a waterfront park takeover.

The party isn’t without its fault. There are the rare few who litter or run red lights. These nuisances should be dealt with by calling out the individuals. I only witnessed one or two cyclists, on brakeless fixed gear freestyle BMX style bikes, that ran red lights. These individuals were part of a small sausagefest group from out of town and were not old enough to grow facial hair. I called ‘em out, noting their inexperience and unworthiness of riding fixed gear for looking like an asshole and making everyone around them look like assholes. These few individuals will not be invited nor welcome at forthcoming Bike Party events.

The Bike Party is eternally grateful to the volunteers (who take route turns, contribute time, bring sound bikes), organizers and EBBP’tastic riders who pick up litter and call out those that do not follow Bike Party rules. The rules, are simple:

- Stop at red lights
- Stay right
- Pack your trash
- Don’t get smashed
- Ride straight
- Don’t hate

Above: A fat tired bike hopping around trials-style and a tiger skin painted fixed gear freestyle bike keeping the pace.

Above: East Bay Scorchers around the Lake in critical mass to the final stop of the evening.

Alas, all good things must come to an end. The good news is that there is another Bike Party coming up and after thirty-one consecutive First Friday EBBP’s, we’re onto something! Amplified on the energy from the evening, and well beyond the final BART train, I rode the bonus extension commute home from Oakland’s Lake Merritt to Concord, watching the sun rise from behind the 3,800 ft tall Mt. Diablo. What a night! Thank you, East Bay Bike Party!!!

Report by Wilson Tai, exclusively for Love Oakland.

PS below seen at “When In Oakland” posted the day of the East Bay Bike Party

You are cordially invited to attend Inspiration Awards 2012 on Thursday, December 6th from 6:00pm – 9:00pm at Preservation Park as we honor Mary Grove, Head of Global Entrepreneurship Outreach at Google and Doug Leeds, CEO at Ask.com. World-renown Oakland entrepreneur, MC Hammer is kicking-off the ceremony. Join Oakland Digital, as we highlight their outstanding achievements in a ceremonial manner and thank them for their positive impact upon the Bay Area and beyond. You can learn more and purchase tickets at www.inspiration-awards.com.

Oakland Digital (ODALC) is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit public benefit organization which aims to educate, inspire, and empower underserved diverse communities to participate in the digital economy.

Head on down to Jack London Square – accessible by West Oakland, Lake Merritt, and 12th St BART stations (a few blocks walk). Attendance is free, all food is around $5 and is ideally regionally-sourced, sustainable ingredients. Saturday September 22 until 9:30 pm and Sunday, September 23, until 5pm. There is a vendor that makes their condiment toppings with a Fender Blender Pro smoothie bike from Rock The Bike. There was even a Lebanese falafel/dolmas/hummus vendor that had a couple shisha hookah’s set up! The size of the festival has spread into the overflow parking lot! I like the vendors but also like the picnic like atmosphere and the many water refill stations for those that brought reusable containers e.g. AVOID USING BUYING SELLING PLASTIC BOTTLES OF WATER. Especially with the excellent quality of Oakland’s EBMUD water, there’s no reason why we need to influence the public into thinking their near-free tap water is anything less than “filtered” or “bottled” water. Because it isn’t. Fantastic event, loads of community, and fun for all. Eat Real Fest is a must visit every year.

More on the local food eateries at: http://www.eatrealfest.com./event/Oakland/California/2012/eat-vendors

Velo Promo, Golden Chain Cyclists, Major Motion Cycling Team and Team Oakland present the 8th Annual Volkswagen of “Oakland Grand Prix”. Date: Sunday, September 23, 2 012. The GP is a.85 mile hourglass shaped race course in Uptown/Downtown Oakland. Route: Harrison, 19th, Webster, 20th, Franklin, 22nd, Webster, 20th, Harrison. Cat 4/5 is 17 miles at 20 laps, Cat 1/2/Pro is 34 miles which equates to 40 laps. Race registration at Velopromo.

Get there with the nearest public transit train station 19th St. BART – you’ll pop out from the steps in the middle of the race, how convenient. UC Davis Development Race Team will be racing! Wrench Science Race Team will be racing!

Here’s a photo from race turn volunteer, Yao. - Love Oakland.

Hiero Day is today, September 3rd, 2012. The free all-ages family event is 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on San Pablo Avenue between 17th and 18th in Oakland. Hiero Day is free for the community, paid for by independent and local businesses in Oakland – support your local family businesses! The event is an answer to “What’s Good in Oakland?” Lots of Love Oakland today!

Live performances by Hieroglyphics, Blackalicious, Planet Asia, Equipto, Z Man, and Moe Green, and DJ sets from Honor Roll, Kev Choice Ensemble, and DJ D Sharp. These are the modern complements to ’93 ’till Infinity by Souls of Mischief of East Oakland, California.

Take BART there via 19th St station and walk to San Pablo which is parallel to Broadway and Telegraph. Map below:

View Larger Map

How’d I miss this performance by Red Hot Chili Peppers? They played at the Oakland Coliseum on Tuesday, August 14th, 2012.  In this day of social media and millions of distractions, you can certainly miss out! Although not as rad as the artwork from Eddie Vedder’s show at the Paramount Theater, the artwork by the ‘Chili Peppers is bold enough to get a nod from Love Oakland!

Air Force One in the house! Uptown Oakland was rolled through on by the Presidential motorcade. BART riders were aflutter with Obama sighting news as President Obama spoke at the Fox Theater. Oakland Mayor Jean Quan’s facebook page shared photos like a groupie would post of their favorite band after a Coachella concert. The President is a rock star.

Photos by: Jean Quan, Chronicle

Social Media for Small Business 2012 Presented by Oakland Digital ODALC

8:30am, Wed., July 25th, 2012 at Oakland City Hall, Council Chambers

SMfSB is Oakland Digital’s one day, five-hour event that serves as a neutral educational and learning platform for local small business owners and aspiring entrepreneurs. SMfSB breaks social media down into easy-to-understand pieces, so attendees can make sense of and utilize digital tools and technology as a platform to grow their business.

MC Hammer, the Oakland rapper / dancer / preacher / entrepreneur, is making a special appearance, speaking about the power of social and Oakland Digital’s work to help transform Oakland into an area that flourishes through technology, innovation and collaboration among diverse community members.

Tech experts from Google, Yelp, Constant Contact, Wix.com, Jimdo, GoPago and Oakland Digital will be there to host educational sessions on digital tools for small businesses!

I was in attendance last year, it inspired and taught a lot about the small business mindset and the roadblocks to social media even though social media is plastered on all sorts of media much like going green and green washing. It’s simply a mindset, learn what that’s about at this event by Oakland Digital! Register before capacity is reached: http://oaksocialmedia.eventbrite.com/

Get there by bicycle, or take BART 12th St Oakland City Center!

- Wilson, Love Oakland

Today around Lake Merritt! 12 noon to 3pm. Enjoy the farmers market, spectate, pedal power bike blend, ride and/or race your bike! A benefit for the East Bay Bicycle Coalition.

Source: http://dayattheraces.wordpress.com/

Thursday May 10th, 2012 is “Bike To Work Day” in the San Francisco Bay Area: Bring it O-Town! Word is that there is a 500 cyclist convoy rolling from San Francisco to Google HQ tomorrow morning! Oakland is deep with cyclist fueling stations. See the full Bike To Work list and map. Walk Oakland Bike Oakland WOBO informs, Mayor Jean Quan, will be riding at 7am from Eastmont Police Station to pancakes at City Center BART (14th and Broadway). WOBO will be running the Energizer Station at 27th and Broadway, right next to Bay Area Bikes, MUA, Shashamane, and Rosewood House. More details on Bike To Work Day at East Bay Bike Coalition.

Oakland’s Bike Salon podcast: “The Science of Bike Awesomeness” featuring the joy sharing Bubble Girl SF, women’s awareness with the toxic hydroquinone and mercury in the cosmetic industry, skill trade pedal power stage lighting, an interview with the founder of Oakland Digital at Academy of Sciences Nightlife event in which Rock The Bike pedal powered the stage lighting and entertainment. Bike Salon also goes into their future project goals and fund-raising efforts to sustain programming. Love Oakland!

Bike Salon podcast: “<3 Bike Love 4 Eva! That’s How We Roll!” – Bike Salon

East Bay Bike Party: Where’s Waldo! starting at South Hayward BART Station, 7:30pm! Finale and food trucks at Area Cycles, Castro Valley. Bring your bike, lock, lights, helmet – Bike Party!!!

Below are Bike Party highlights from Analisa of the Patch:

Rebecca Kaplan, an Oakland city council member since 2008, writes George Lucas of Marin (George Lucas Valley) and Star Wars fame, an open letter in San Francisco Chronicle.

Dear George – We heard you ran into a little bit of trouble in Marin recently in your efforts to build a new digital production facility.

As Oakland’s citywide elected council member – and a fan of yours since age 7 – I invite you to locate your new facility in our city.

Yoda said, “Always in motion is the future.”

That future is Oakland – home to a growing and diverse creative class – with good transportation and no shortage of “Star Wars” fans.

With a thriving entertainment scene, great food, countless imagineers and possibilities for development-approved locations, I would be happy to work with you to ensure the success of your project in our welcoming community.

We have great locations: waterfront property, industrial land, urban mixed-use, and even in the woods. Options with ferry and BART access. And space already approved for development like Jack London Square and the Coliseum area.

I’d be happy to arrange a tour.

I hope to thank you for your decades of inspiration by helping you find a place to expand- in Oakland, where you can build, grow and thrive in our sunny, scenic city.

If you want, I’ll even wear my Boba Fett mask to the groundbreaking. May the force be with you.

Copenhagen Chic Forever CCF!

Ready To Take On The World!!!

Source: Empowering Women to Bicycle for Transportation

East Bay Bike Party is rolling on East Oakland tonight (Ride Route)! It’s a 90s theme: Fugees x 2 Live Crew x Too Short x Seattle Grunge Alternative! The ride begins at Oakland Coliseum BART 730pm and wraps up before midnight (last train from BART is 12:25am).

“One party stop during the ride and a big, all-ages party after. And no hills. This ride is hella flat.”

Your Ride, Your Community, Your Responsibility – If you threw a party in your backyard and saw people trashing your place or messing with your neighbors’ houses you’d be furious. The truth is, this is your party. The neighborhoods we ride through are our ours. The houses we pass belong to people in our community. So, if you see something, say something. If you notice someone helping out a fellow Partier, cheer them on! If someone says, “Car up,” repeat it and pass it down the line. If someone new doesn’t know the basics of Bike Party, get them up to speed in a positive way. And if you see behavior that’s destructive or is endangering people on the ride, remember that it’s your party, so it’s important for you to say something or find someone who’s comfortable doing so. There are so many people who have your back on this one! We all love Bike Party and want to see it keep on keepin’ on.

Bring a Lock – There will be bike racks aplenty, but it’s self-parking, so you’ll need to bring your own lock.

Get Lights – It’s not just about cars seeing you, it’s about other Bike Partiers seeing you. If someone doesn’t know you’re behind them, they might cut you off and cause a crash. And without a rear light, it’s hard for someone to see you slowing down. When they stop short (or worse, run into you) it causes a big crash. Lights aren’t expensive and they’re an investment in your safety (and that of your fellow riders). Most shops sell a front/rear set for $15 or less. With lights, you’ll shine like the star we know you are!