Discounts

Become an AS&R member and get discounts at local bike shops and businesses!

Blue Heron Bikes: 10% off parts and accessories.

Marie Bowser Acupuncture: 30% off your first visit.

Bikes on Solano: 10% off labor, parts and accessories.

Quad Republic Skate Co. 5% off SKATES, 10% off parts & accessories.

Offers are valid to members of Albany Strollers & Rollers and their households. Tell your friends!
Contact us with questions.

Events

May
8
Thu
Bike To Work Day @ AS&R Energizer Station
May 8 @ 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Not many Energizer Stations could boast a Mayor handing out bags and swags. Ours could, as Peggy Thomsen volunteered all morning! courtesy Nick Pilch

Not many Energizer Stations could boast a Mayor handing out bags and swag. Ours could, as Peggy Thomsen volunteered all morning!
courtesy Nick Pilch

It’s the 21st Annual Bike to Work Day in the Bay Area, a party on wheels!!

As usual, there will be coffee, snacks, swag, bike goodies, the famous Bike to Work Day musette bags, fun and lots of good conversation & information so come on down on your way to work!

Riders were happy to see staff from both Blue Heron Bikes and Wheels of Justice there for safety checks. courtesy Nick Pilcn

Riders were happy to see staff from both Blue Heron Bikes and Wheels of Justice there for safety checks.
courtesy Nick Pilcn

Great news – the staff of Blue Heron Bikes and Berkeley Bikes & Skateboards will be there with work stations checking your bicycles for safety and road-worthiness as they have in previous years! Thanks to Rob, Winston and their co-workers for spending time with us all!

Donations of food and drink have been rolling in from Albany Fresh Produce, Kim’s Café, Peet’s Coffee & Tea, Monterey Market, La Farine, Safeway, Andronico’s, La Val’s…more to come, I’m sure!
Thanks to those businesses for supporting the community!

Plenty of food, thanks to the generous supporting local businesses! courtesy Francesco Papalia

Plenty of food, thanks to the generous supporting local businesses!
courtesy Francesco Papalia

We need help at our Energizer Station (back at its usual location of the Ohlone Greenway and Marin) and preparing for a big celebration.
If you’d like to help out, please contact Nick at nicky@mindspring.com or leave a comment on this post.
Thanks!!

More info at http://ebbc.org/btwd

Share this on Facebook! https://www.facebook.com/events/257209727792108/?source=1

Dec
6
Sat
Tour de Trails Bike Ride @ Richmond BART
Dec 6 @ 10:00 am – 1:00 pm
Help keep our Ohlone Greenway neat and clean!

Ride with us and our neighbors at the                 Tour de Trails!

Come join with our friends from Rich-City Rides and Bike East Bay on a 16-mile ride showcasing little-known local trails on Dec. 6!
The ride, which takes off from Richmond BART station at 10 a.m., is fun, easy-paced and mostly off-street and paved, according to Rich City Rides, the local nonprofit co-hosting the event with Bike East Bay.
Riders will learn how to navigate some of the more complicated sections of trail and discuss what needs to be done to make Richmond’s, El Cerrito’s and Albany’s trails easier to use.
The ride heads south from the Richmond BART station to the Richmond Greenway trail, then continues east on the trail to the start of the Ohlone Greenway trail in El Cerrito. The trip then goes south on the Ohlone to Albany, where it connects with the Marin/Buchanan Bikeway. Cyclists will then head north on the Bay Trail, looping back to the start of our route at Richmond BART.
Children under 16 must be accompanied with an adult and should be able to ride with their parents safely in the street. Anyone under age 18 must where a helmet.
Any parents who want to learn more about biking with children can attend one of the free family workshops offered online at www.BikeEastBay.org/FCW, or check out our website at www.BikeEastBay.org/FamilyCycling for more information.
Preview the route online at: www.mapmyride.com/routes/view/538365706. Those who can’t join the full route can get on BART at El Cerrito Del Norte at mile 3.3, El Cerrito Plaza at mile 5.2, or just head north on the Greenway until you meet up with the ride.
Please rsvp to the Facebook Event: Tour De Trails

May
30
Sat
Street Level Cycles Grand Opening Party @ Street Level Cycles
May 30 @ 12:00 pm – 6:00 pm
Marsalis Johnson in one of the dedicated mechanics of Street Level Cycles

Marsalis Johnson in one of the dedicated mechanics of Street Level Cycles

You may be familiar with Street Level Cycles from the free tuneups they offer every year at the Arts & Green Festival. They are a non-profit that teaches at-risk youth job skills that will help them transition into the workforce, as well as serving as a public bike shop (go on and use the tools yourself sometime!)
Thanks to the efforts of a committed group of staff and interns and generous support from the community, renovations are complete and our new public repair shop and newly renovated rental shop are ready to go!  So join them on May 30th to check out our new spaces and our fancy new Public Bike Rental Fleet!
Bring a bike to donate and get a gift card from one of their sponsors!
D.O.G Food Truck will be there for the celebration, serving up some of the best hot dogs the Bay has to offer. Homemade sides, fresh-baked buns, and vegetarian options will keep the whole family happy and full. Fido is welcome to join in the festivities and check out our dog-friendly cafe.  They even have a dog menu!

Oct
18
Sun
Sunday Streets Berkeley – Shattuck Avenue @ Shattuck Avenue from Rose to Haste
Oct 18 @ 11:00 am – 4:00 pm

BerkSundayStreets5SurreyBikeStreetIf you’ve read about Ciclovías and Open Streets events all over the world, here’s one right in your Berkeley Sunday Streets 2backyard.
On Sunday, October 18th from 11am-4pm, Shattuck Avenue between Rose and Haste will be closed to motor vehicles so you can bike, skate, wheelchair, scooter and walk to your heart’s content!
Berkeley Sunday Streets 1There will be plenty of activities for your and your family to enjoy, or just wander along the street with no worries about cars, grab a bite at an outdoor table and hang out!
For more information, go to www.sundaystreetsberkeley.org .
Hope to see you there!BerkSundayStreets3Dancing

Nov
10
Tue
Community Meeting for Ohlone Greenway Improvements near El Cerrito BART Stations @ Castro Clubhouse
Nov 10 @ 6:30 pm – 8:00 pm
Give your input to improve the Greenway by El Cerrito BART stations!

Give your input to improve the Greenway by El Cerrito BART stations!

Come help our neighbor to the North, El Cerrito, shape its (and your) bicycle and pedestrian future!

The City of El Cerrito is in the process of re-designing the Ohlone Greenway at the El Cerrito Plaza and El Cerrito Del Norte BART station areas.  No doubt, you use the El Cerrito Plaza station and you may cycle or walk in both of those areas.
The primary goals of this project are to:
*Improve bicycle and pedestrian routes to transit, commercial nodes and housing
*Bring new vibrancy to the areas around the BART stations
*Increase safety and accessibility for BART riders and Greenway users
*Improve the integration of the El Cerrito Plaza and El Cerrito del Norte BART Stations with the surrounding community.

Here are some of the 96 BikeLink lockers at nearby El Cerrito Plaza BART

Here are some of the 96 BikeLink lockers at nearby El Cerrito Plaza BART

On Tuesday November 10 the City of El Cerrito will host a community meeting to review the preferred plan for the Ohlone Greenway at the El Cerrito del Norte and El Cerrito Plaza BART station areas.  This is the last of several outreach efforts to engage the public in the process of re-designing the Ohlone Greenway at two key areas in the City.  At the meeting, community members will have a chance to voice their opinion on the preferred plan to create gateway elements and outdoor gathering spaces around the Greenway and BART stations, improve the mixed-use bicycle and pedestrian path and intersection crossings, and other enhancements.For more info, go here.

May
12
Thu
Bike to Work Day – COME ON DOWN + VOLUNTEERS STILL NEEDED!! @ AS&R/Bikes on Solano Energizer Station
May 12 @ 7:00 am – 9:00 am

It’s the 23rd Annual Bike to Work Day in the Bay Area, a party on wheels!!

Come join our annual rolling party, Bike to Work Day! photo courtesy Nick Pilch

Come join our annual rolling party, Bike to Work Day!
photo courtesy Nick Pilch

As usual, there will be coffee, snacks, swag, bike goodies, the famous Bike to Work Day musette bags, food, coffee, fun and lots of good conversation & information so come on down on your way to work!

Great news –  Bikes on Solano is co-hosting this year’s Energizer Station with Albany Strollers & Rollers, so Mike, the owner, and other staff will be there with work stations checking your bicycles for safety and road-worthiness!

Plenty of food and drink for everyone, but we could use people to pick it up! courtesy Francesco Papalia

Plenty of food and drink for everyone, but we could use people to pick it up!
courtesy Francesco Papalia

We need help at our Energizer Station the morning of, as well as preparing for a big celebration.
Can you help stuffing the musette bags with goodies on May 6th from 3-5pm, picking up food & coffee early morning on the 12th, and handing out swag, food and counting cyclists all morning at the Energizer Station?

If so, please contact Ken McCroskey at kenwait@aol.com or leave a comment on this post.
Thanks!!

For Elected & Appointed Officials, as well as City Staff, City Councilman Nick Pilch is leading a ride for you…details coming soon, and yes, it will finish at the Energizer Station so you can enjoy our swag, food and company!

If you can help stuff these bags full of swag on the afternoon of May 6, please email Ken – thanks! Snacks provided!

The musette bags are always filled with swag!

The musette bags are always filled with swag!

May
16
Mon
Free Bike Commuting Workshop @ Berkeley Main Library, Community Meeting Room, 3rd floor
May 16 @ 6:30 pm – 7:30 pm

WomanBikeCommuterWant to ride to work but aren’t sure how to start?  Learn how to get ready for the road with in this FREE class given by AS&R’s partner, Bike East Bay!

Learn how to outfit your bike, fit a helmet, avoid common crashes, get a green light at traffic signals, and more. For adults and teens, no bike required.

This indoor, 1-hour class is made possible via a partnership with the Berkeley Public Library with funding from Alameda CTC.

The class is FREE but registration is required – please register here to take advantage of this great opportunity – thanks!

Dec
16
Fri
CANCELLED – 5th Annual Rich City Winter Night Lights Solstice Ride @ Rich City Rides
Dec 16 @ 7:00 pm – 10:30 pm

5thAnnualRichCityRidesSolsticeRide

 

THIS RIDE HAS BEEN CANCELLED BY RICH CITY RIDES
Come on out and join your Richmond brothers and sisters for a beautiful night ride!
Bring your lights and good cheer for the 5th Annual Winter Night Lights Solstice RIDE. It looks like the weather just might be warming up already… hmm. Still dress warm and did we mention to bring some lights? Dance away Autumn and celebrate the longest night of the year as we usher in Winter season. Seasons Greetings!

Be seen while you pedal at night and keep your pants legs out of the chain with our new leg bands!

Be seen while you pedal at night and keep your pants legs out of the chain with our new leg bands!

If you need to be more visible for the ride contact Amy Smolens to pick up some awesome reflective leg and arm bands!

 

If anyone wants to coordinate a bike or BART ride to the starting point, write something in “comments” here or post on AS&R’s Facebook page.

May
11
Thu
Bike to Work Day – Volunteers Needed! @ Albany Strollers & Rollers Energizer Station - Ohlone Greenway & Marin Avenue
May 11 @ 7:00 am – 9:00 am

Come join our annual rolling party, Bike to Work Day!
courtesy Nick Pilch

It’s the 23rd Annual Bike to Work Day in the Bay Area, a party on wheels!!

As usual, there will be coffee, snacks, swag, bike goodies, the famous Bike to Work Day musette bags, food, coffee, fun and lots of good conversation & information so come on down on your way to work!

Don’t miss rolling down to see all your friends and neighbors!
courtesy Nick Pilch

Great news – the staffs of Blue Heron Bikes and Berkeley Bikes & Skateboards will be there with work stations checking your bicycles for safety and road-worthiness as they have in previous years! Thanks to owners Rob Allen & Winston Jamison for spending time with us all! Blue Heron is also giving all Bike Month Volunteers a special coupon for helping out!!

Plenty of food and drink for everyone, but we could use people to pick it up!
courtesy Francesco Papalia

We need help at our Energizer Station beginning at 6:30 a.m. through wrap-up at 9:30, as well as preparing for a big celebration.

Donations so far from Kim’s Cafe and Royal Ground Coffee…stay tuned for more.

Can you help stuffing the musette bags with goodies on Friday from 10am-noon, picking up food & coffee early morning on the 11th, and handing out swag, food and counting cyclists all morning at the Energizer Station?
Want to help get donations of food, beverages or $ for food & bevs?  If so, please contact Ken McCroskey at kenwait@aol.com or Amy Smolens at calamari@alumni.duke.edu or leave a comment on this post.
Thanks!!

For Elected & Appointed Officials, as well as City Staff, City Councilman Nick Pilch is leading a ride for you…details coming soon, and yes, it will finish at the Energizer Station so you can enjoy our swag, food and company!

Stuff to stuff!

Stuffing bags for everyone who rolls by is FUN!! If you can help, please email Ken at kenwait@aol.com – thanks!

Sep
10
Sun
Solano Stroll – Volunteers Needed – AS&R is providing Free Bicycle Valet Parking! @ Tree Lot and Wells Fargo parking lot
Sep 10 @ 10:00 am – 5:00 pm

Hundreds of people from all over the Bay Area take advantage of our Bicycle Valet Parking service at two lots on Solano Avenue. Please volunteer a few hours before enjoying the event!
Photo courtesy Amy Smolens

Albany Strollers & Rollers will again be providing Free Bicycle Valet Parking at two locations: 1800 Solano Ave (Wells Fargo) and 1245 Solano (the vacant lot near Masonic.)
We’ll also have an information table by our western lot near Masonic.
WE NEED YOU TO MAKE THIS A SUCCESS!
If you’d like to help park bikes at either lot or volunteer at AS&R’s info table, please contact Amy Smolens.

AS&R  Super-Volunteer Lynn Eve Komaromi takes a well-earned Pad Thai break – thanks, Bua Luang!
Please join Lynn Eve and your AS&R neighbors in volunteering!

All volunteers who work at least a 4-hr shift or pick up & return rental racks will get free lunch provided by a supporting Solano Avenue restaurant, Mountain Mike’s Pizza ,  Tay Tah or Bua Luang Thai Cuisine!!
Since 1974 Solano Avenue and the cities of Albany and Berkeley have hosted the Solano Avenue Stroll, the East Bay’s largest street festival! The Solano Avenue Association , AS&R and Check for Bikes invite you to see what makes Solano Avenue a wonderful place. The Stroll features over five hundred vendors including 50 entertainers (there’s always great music!,) 50 food booths, 150 government and non-profit agencies, 150 juried hand-crafters, a 75 entry parade, state of the art mechanical rides and much more!

We would like to thank Janka White, the owner of AS&R’s new supporting sponsor, Floor Dimensions. Janka is donating a long Red Carpet to lead passers-by to our information table and straight up the ramp to our western Bicycle Valet Parking lot!
Thanks also to Lucas Euser of Clif Bar who donated boxes of Clif Bars and Z Organic Kids Bars & Fruits so ALL OF OUR VOLUNTEERS will have plenty to snack on all day!!

Come visit AS&R at our information table then enjoy a great stroll up Solano!
Or better yet, volunteer a few hours with Amy, Michael and your neighbors before strolling!
Photo courtesy Tenisha Neal

This family event promotes the unique traits of Solano Avenue, helping independently-owned businesses, artists, and community organizations to thrive by exposure and fundraising. Join 250,000 participants and event guests visit from all over the west coast at this annual street festival!
Please see the press room to stay tuned into what’s hot at this years event!
Brought to you by the Cities of Albany and Berkeley; and with the help of our generous sponsors, SAA members, and volunteer board of directors.

Lucas Euser of Clif Bar donated boxes of Clif Bars and Z Organic Kids Bars & Fruit for ALL OUR VOLUNTEERS!!
Photo courtesy Francesco Papalia

Bike, trikes, scooters, strollers, trailers, tandems, striders, long-tails, unicycles and more bikes!! Photo courtesy Mark Altenberg

Thank you Janka White of Floor Dimensions for donating a “Red Carpet” to lead festival-goers to our lower lot and table!!