Matt's Writing

Pedalfest lived up to its billing as one of the "biggest celebrations of the bicycle in regional history." An estimated 20,000 people attended Pedalfest at Jack London Square on Saturday, August 18, 2012. The cycling extravaganza and street fair at Jack London Square boasted many highlights, including a bicycle rodeo, bike parade, folding bike races, WhiskeyDrome (a mini-velodrome), and the Clayton Bikes Stunt Team doing backflips and other X Games-style stunts. Bicycle enthusiasts from all skill levels were in attendance, and some brought one-of-a-kind concept bikes. There were also plenty activities for kids, such as a bike obstacle course and experimental bikes for kids to ride. The event went from 11am to 8pm, and already by early afternoon, thousands were in attendance, going to the vendor's booths and listening to live music. Click here for photos of the event on Google+ By Matt Werner, author of Oakland in Popular Memory. Email Matt at editor[at...

Over 1,000 cyclists turned out for one of the most popular East Bay Bike Parties to date. At 8pm on Friday, August 10, 2012, the lower lot at Rockridge BART was overflowing with cyclists of all ages from throughout the East Bay. People were on all types of bikes: road and mountain bikes, tall bikes, track bikes, custom "Burning Man-style" bikes, and even a tricycle outfitted with a canvas frame that made it look like a food truck vending donuts throughout the ride. The ride left Rockridge BART station, going along College Ave. to the UC Berkeley campus. It went through Northside, going by the university co-ops on its way down to César Chávez Park at the Berkeley Marina. At the marina, a metal band played with a bike-powered soundsystem blasting rock for the mosh pit crowd. The crowd left the Berkeley Marina at 10:10pm to ride along the Bay Trail, through Emeryville to West Oakland. The second party stop was at West Grand and Mandela in West Oakland. After that, ride...

Mayor Jean Quan watches a boy plant a tree in honor of Hiram Lawrence in West Oakland Hiram Lawrence was one-year-old when he was shot in Oakland on November 28, 2011. On Saturday, July 21, 2012 approximately 200 cyclists turned out for the 5th Annual Peace Ride in his honor. The event, sponsored by Bikes 4 Life bike shop , ended in West Oakland with a tree planting and dedication ceremony in Hiram's honor, attended by Oakland Mayor Jean Quan. This cycling event started on the north side of Lake Merritt at 5pm. A diverse group of Oakland residents turned out on road bikes, mountain bikes, tandems, and scraper bikes riding as a pack through some of Oakland's "100 Blocks" neighborhoods. The riders cycled from Lake Merritt through the Fruitvale District near the Fruitvale BART station. They then continued on Embarcadero to Jack London Square, Downtown Oakland, and then cycled on 7th Street to West West Oakland. Riders ended the route in West Oakland in fro...