
Editor's Note: The following digital museum highlights ideas, reflections and research from Dr. jay johnson (University of Manitoba), Dr. Matt Masucci (San Jose State University) and Dr. Jessica W. Chin (San Jose State University) focused on community-building through bicycling, with a particular emphasis on the group's experiences with the San Jose Bike Party.
Corresponding author: Dr. jay johnson, University of Manitoba, jay.johnson@umanitoba.ca
My introduction to the San José Bike Party (SJBP) was in 2009-2010 when a colleague and fellow bicycle enthusiast and I noticed a group of cyclists converging at a fountain on our university’s campus.
Those stories, our ethnographic observations and subsequent analysis have been the foundation of academic presentations and peer-reviewed articles. However, beyond the academic trajectory of the work and perhaps sparked by the malaise that set in during the months of isolation and and lack of social contact due to COVID-19 restrictions, I found myself awash in nervous excitement at the thought of participating in the first live SJBP event since the lock-down.
Not only was this the first time in two years that there would be an organized mass-group ride, it was the first time participating with my partner and, ostensibly, in a non-academic capacity.
While it is hard to turn off “research-mode” the pent-up enthusiasm and positive energy coupled with flashing lights, booming music, and vibrant costumes, created a palpable ferment. Perhaps by experiencing the ride without the constraints of academic protocols and by attending to the pronounced and carefree fun being experienced by my partner on her first Bike Party in June of 2021; the energy and allure of the event became more clear than I had remembered. This profound -and visceral- response, no doubt coupled with the catharsis (and slight apprehension) of being in proximity to so many others linked by the simplicity of riding a bike, together, highlighted the meaning, value and possibility of the SJBP to me.
-Matt Masucci
What is the San José Bike Party?
One of the things that we have learned over the years and that we unpack more extensively in our academic texts, is that SJBP holds a multiplicity of meanings for the people who take part. Here is a small snapshot of how SJBP defines itself on the website, and the mechanics of how a Bike Party unfolds and some images and videos to give you a little “taste” of what it can be like when you are in the middle of it.
“one-half political party, one-half street party – made up of all types of bicyclists and human-powered transportation advocates who celebrate and build community in a monthly ride” (www.sjbikeparty.org)

The Process
You can see as you peruse the webpages, that the way that a Bike Party takes place from the genesis of the theme to the completion of the event is scripted, monitored and regulated. The ride is communicated via Social media in the week leading up to the ride which takes place on the 3rd Friday of every month, is anywhere between 20-30 miles (30-50 km). And generally has 2 or 3 planned stops along the route to party.
This follows the pattern of another Bay area monthly Bike Gathering, the overtly political and leaderless ride-Critical Mass (CM) San Francisco Critical Mass which just hit 30 years since its inception! While there are many marked differences in their approach and philosophy, our first paper, “Everything Looks Better From the Seat of a Bike”, also looks at the overlapping political and activist landscapes of both the SJBP and CM rides.
Monthly themes
The monthly ride is designed around a different theme for every ride, (please see examples here). Additionally, to advertise or thematize the rides, they create a different poster for each that illustrates that month’s theme. In addition to tricking out their bikes, riders are encouraged to wear costumes and to accessorize themselves and their bikes to reflect the theme of that month’s ride. Some of them can be quite creative and sometimes a little outrageous. Please check out the array of excellent artistry and creativity that are reflected in the themes and their posters below.
What does a Bike Party look like?
Check it out, here are two short video clips that we captured that highlights some of the features of a Bike Party.
Volunteers form a large part of the gears that keep the SJBP rolling. Over time, they have made several pivots to address issues as they arise. Two of these include the creation of volunteer posts called Birds, who help with repairs, information and general traffic control. Additionally, there are ravens, who have special bikes fitted with garbage and Recycling bins to assist with keeping the spaces that the Bike Parties roll through, looking as good or better than the event.
Global Bike Parties
Our Research
We have authored multiple studies over the past decade or so that have focussed on various aspects and phenomena of the Bike Party, including:
- Utility of the Bike
- Politics Aims vs. Party atmosphere and participant enjoyment
- Connection to communities; both bike and location
- Identity
- Technology and activism, Collective Action
- Social Media
Keep it rolling: examining the San José Bike Party with methods on the move
A Moving, “Neo” Methodology
Digital Museum Credits
Contributors: Dr. jay johnson, University of Manitoba; Dr. Matt Masucci, San Jose State University; Dr. Jessica W. Chin, San Jose State University
Corresponding author: Dr. jay johnson, University of Manitoba, jay.johnson@umanitoba.ca