You may have seen a traveling party of cheerful bicyclists around downtown Santa Cruz, complete with music, lights and sounds of revelry, including an occasional yell: “Bike Parrrrrtyyyy!” If this occurred on the second Friday of the month, then you were a witness to our local Bike Party, started by Steve Schnaar and Tawn Kennedy in 2012.
Bike Party is open to riders of all ages and backgrounds who gather at the Bike Church in downtown Santa Cruz at 7 p.m. every second Friday. Schnaar and Kennedy begin the evening by outlining the route, which is usually between seven and ten miles, and going over traffic and safety rules, including avoiding confrontations with traffic. The route usually heads to the end of the Wharf for the first of two dance breaks.
Schnaar’s wife, Stacey Falls, tracks the years by the annual Prom Ride every May. In 2013, just before the inaugural ride, Stacey was in a bicycling accident and broke her wrist, so Steve rented a pedi-cab for her and another injured rider so they could still participate. Riding in the pedi-cab allowed Falls to don her best prom attire from a collection she has amassed over the years as a teacher and prom chaperone at Santa Cruz High School.
Dressing in costume or decorating your bike is part of the fun, and a monthly theme is posted on the website, along with tips on preparing for a ride.
Events like these are on the rise, and each has its own signature style. San Jose is home to one of the nation’s largest cycling fetes (on the third Friday), but several riders drive over the hill to join in the Santa Cruz Bike Party because of its uniqueness. Mike, a participant who makes the drive regularly says, “You can’t beat this one. This is a vibe that’s beyond words. San Jose Bike Party has 3,000 to 5,000 people, and it’s a zoo. It’s great, it’s fun, but there is a vibe and intimacy here that you don’t get anywhere else.”
Unlike more protest-oriented rides like the Ride of Silence that takes place nationally and internationally to bring awareness to cyclists killed in crashes with motor vehicles, the point of our local Bike Party is to show that riding a bike is an enjoyable, environmentally-friendly way to get around, and that the community of cyclists is creative and welcoming.
The Bike Church is located at 703 Pacific Ave., Santa Cruz. santacruzbikeparty.org.
