Discounts

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

Blue Heron Bikes: 10% off parts and accessories.

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

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

Events

May
1
Sun
Arts & Green Festival – FREE BICYCLE VALET PARKING & FREE LUNCH FOR VOLUNTEERS! @ Memorial Park
May 1 @ 11:00 am – 4:00 pm

It’s time for the Albany Arts & Green Festival again!

AS&R's booth is always busy! Photo courtesy Angela Armendariz

AS&R’s booth is always busy! Can you volunteer a few hours with us?
Photo courtesy Angela Armendariz

Come out to Memorial Park for green lifestyle booths, art booths, local performers, food trucks, music and more! This family friendly event will include lots of activities for kids.

Our Bicycle Valet Parking service, this year sponsored by service organization Berkeley Lions Club, is always popular – we could sure use your help parking bikes – thanks! photo courtesy Amy Smolens

As AS&R does every year, we will provide FREE bicycle valet parking, so you can enjoy the festival without worrying about your bike! This year the service organization BERKELEY LIONS CLUB has stepped up as a new sponsor of our Bicycle Valet Parking – thanks to BLC President Dave Nicely and the board for helping our organization!
Come visit our booth to find out about what’s going on for cyclists and pedestrians here in Albany!
Local bike shop 
BLUE HERON HAS AGAIN DONATED SOME FABULOUS PRIZES for our 3rd annual kids’ coloring contest so be sure to bring the kids down!!!

These kids were so excited about winning a bike bell that they didn’t even take their helmets off before coloring! Photo courtesy Francesco Papalia

WE NEED PEOPLE LIKE YOU TO PARK BIKES AND WORK AT OUR TABLE TO MAKE THIS A SUCCESS! CAN YOU PLEASE VOLUNTEER TO HELP US FOR A FEW HOURS?

Lynn Eve Komaromi takes a well-earned Pad Thai break - thanks, Bua Luang!

Lynn Eve Komaromi takes a well-earned Pad Thai break – thanks, Bua Luang & Tah Tah! ALL VOLUNTEERS WILL GET A DELICIOUS FREE LUNCH!

VOLUNTEERS WILL GET A DELICIOUS FREE LUNCH FROM COMMUNITY SPONSORS BUA LUANG OR TAY TAH plus  A SPECIAL COUPON FROM TAY TAH!!
Please email Laura Emery  or Amy Smolens to help out or fill out this simple form!

Street Level Cycles has graciously donated free bike tuneup services at the Arts & Green Festival since 2008 photo courtesy Matt McHugh

Street Level Cycles has graciously donated free bike tuneup services at the Arts & Green Festival since 2008
photo courtesy Matt McHugh

For the 9th straight year, non-profit bike workshop Street Level Cycles will provide free or low-cost bike tuneups, so if you have an old bike that you want to get road-ready, come on down! Don’t forget, Bike to Work Day is on May 12th, so here’s a way to help make sure your ride is up and running well.

More info about the Festival is here.

 

May
2
Mon
Urban Cycling 101 Classroom Workshop – UC Berkeley @ UC Berkeley Dwinelle Hall Room 209
May 2 @ 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm
Learn to bike safely and confidently with this FREE class!

Learn to bike safely and confidently with this FREE class!

Want to ride more but don’t feel confident enough?

Here’s a FREE bicycle skills class, courtesy of Bike East Bay (with support from the UC Berkeley Police Department.)

Learn basic rules of the road, how to share the road with cars on busy streets, how to equip your bicycle, lock your bike, fit your helmet, and avoid crashes by riding predictably, visibly, and communicating with other road users by your actions and signals. Every workshop has the same content so you only need to attend once. For adults and teens, no bike needed.
(Please note: All of Bike East Bay’s UC Berkeley classes are open to the public, but are also part of the BEST (Bicycle Education Safety Training) program allowing ticketed cyclists to have their fines reduced.)

Class is FREE but please register here.

May
6
Fri
Musette Bag Stuffing for Bike to Work Day @ Sports Basement
May 6 @ 3:00 pm – 5:00 pm

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

You’ve enjoyed picking up the famous Bike to Work Day musette bags, chock full of swag & snacks. Help stuff those musette bags for our Energizer Station so friends, neighbors and passers-by can enjoy the fruits of our labor!

You’ve seen Lucy & Ethel in their famous assembly line – help us make ours more fun & successful by joining us!

This important pre-Bike to Work Day event is a ton of fun for all ages. Fast-paced assembly line is a great experience for kids. Snacks provided.
You’ve been getting the bags for free for years, now see how it’s done and boost your karma!
If you want to connect with others to bike or BART to Sports Basement, leave a note in the Comments section of this post.

The musette bags are always filled with swag!

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
14
Sat
APAL Bike Rodeo – BRING YOUR KIDS, A FEW VOLUNTEERS WANTED! @ Cornell School Playground
May 14 @ 10:00 am – 1:00 pm
School kids learn how to cycle safely and have fun doing it, while following the rules of the road. courtesy Peggy McQuaid

School kids learn how to cycle safely and have fun doing it, while following the rules of the road.
Photo courtesy Peggy McQuaid

Bring your kids to Albany Police Activity League’s Annual Bike Rodeo!

Free bicycle helmets will be given to the first 100 youth participants.

Ken McCroskey, AS&R's master helmet adjuster and children's brain guardian, tirelessly applies his craft courtesy: Francesco Papalia

Ken McCroskey, AS&R’s master helmet adjuster and children’s brain guardian, tirelessly applies his craft
courtesy: Francesco Papalia

Rodeo activities will include bike inspections, safety information, and a bicycle safety course.
The goal of the bicycle rodeo is to encourage riders to wear helmets on every ride, to give young cyclists basic skills for on-road riding, and to teach them the rules of the road to help keep them safe. This event focuses on young riders in elementary and middle school.
Cycles of Change and some AS&R members will again be working with kids, showing them how to ride their bikes safely and responsibly.

Bicycle + fruit + blender = delicious fun!! Want to help like Tenisha is doing here? Email Ken! Photo courtesy Amy Smolens

Bicycle + fruit + blender = delicious fun!! Want to help like Tenisha is doing here? Email Ken!
Photo courtesy Amy Smolens

We’ll also have our  ”Check for Bikes” clings on hand for parents…and the famous Bicycle Blender so everyone can pedal-power a delicious smoothie!
PLEASE VOLUNTEER: We could definitely use some help running the bike blender station, fitting helmets, and talking to parents & kids. Any takers, please? Volunteers get a cash-value coupon from one of our favorite local supporting businesses, Tay Tah! Want to help out? Please contact Ken McCroskey.

Kids, don't try this at home…just yet!

Kids, don’t try this at home…just yet!

Entertainment will be provided by world-famous flatland BMX rider Pete Brandt!

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!

May
18
Wed
Rich City #RideOfSilence: to Silence the Violence @ Rich City Rides
May 18 @ 5:00 pm – 7:30 pm

RideOfSilenceEndViolenceShow unity with your friends & neighbors in Richmond by participating in an international and Richmond tradition: the Ride of Silence.
This event is part of the annual Ride of Silence that brings attention to cyclists injured or killed while riding on urban streets, but Rich City RIDES is remixing it to address the needs of our community. In the Rich our sisters and brothers are far too busy dodging beef and bullets to worry about car traffic and so for this the 5th Annual Richmond Ride of Silence we’re bringing the attention where it needs to be.

Join with your Richmond friends and neighbors at their annual Ride of Silence.

Join with your Richmond friends and neighbors at their annual Ride of Silence.

The Ride of Silence is a free ride that asks its cyclists to ride no faster than 12 mph, wear helmets, follow the rules of the road and remain silent during the ride. There are no sponsors and no registration fees. The ride, which is held during National Bike Month, aims to raise the awareness of motorists, police and city officials that cyclists have a legal right to the public roadways. This peaceful ride is also a chance to show respect for and honor the lives of those who have been killed or injured while cycling.Meet at Richmond City Hall at 5:00pm, sign waiver, receive armbands. Dedication and honor injured riders. Hear
ride instructions.
Depart at 5:30pm. Helmets are required

Want to ride to the start from Albany? Leave a comment here with a suggestion to make it happen!
.

May
20
Fri
Bike About Town Family Rides @ Bikes on Solano
May 20 @ 6:30 pm – 8:00 pm
Join the fun! Photo courtesy Amy Smolens

Join the fun!
Photo courtesy Amy Smolens

Grab your bikes and invite your friends & family – it’s time for the annual Bike About Town rides!

The Albany Peloton rolls down Peralta Avenue for another fun Bike About Town Photo courtesy Amy Smolens

The Albany Peloton rolls down Peralta Avenue for another fun Bike About Town
Photo courtesy Amy Smolens

Join the City of Albany’s Department of Recreation and a bunch of your fellow Rollers as we explore Albany by bike on Spring, Summer and Autumn evenings. Each of the events will trace different routes that pass through parts of Albany you may not have biked before. All levels of cyclists are encouraged to join.
The ride begins at 6:30 at Bikes on Solano at Solano and Peralta in Albany.
We ALWAYS need Ride Guides to help guide folks around town from the front, middle and back so if you’re a confident rider please come 10 minutes early and help your neighbors out!
Come a few minutes early to pump up your tires. Ride maps are distributed, and we take off in a big group. There are experienced cyclists to lead and bring up the rear. After wheeling about for a half hour or forty-five minutes we return to Peralta Park, just across the street from our start, for light refreshments, a raffle, and general carousing.
Dates this year are Fridays May 20,  June 17, July 15, August 19 and September 16th.

Bring yourself, your friends and your family to Bikes on Solano for the Bike About Town rides!

Bring yourself, your friends and your family to Bikes on Solano for the Bike About Town rides!

May
21
Sat
6th Annual Harding ReCycle @ Harding Elementary School
May 21 @ 9:00 am – 1:00 pm

Harding ReCycleLogoHere’s a great family event with our El Cerrito neighbors!
Need a kid’s bike at a great price? Just want to ride around with your family?

A little less bike rodeo and more used bike sale, this event is aimed at getting people on bicycles by repairing/refurbishing used bicycle donations and then selling them back to the community at below market prices (beginning at as little as $10 for some kids bikes).

They also set up an obstacle course, offer free minor repairs to community members bringing their own bike to the event, have a food truck on site, and generally try to make it a fun celebration of bicycling even for those not coming to buy a used bike. Details are below and at the following link.

The Harding ReCycle is a bicycle festival where you can

  • buy a “ReCycled” bicycle refurbished by the Harding Dad’s Club bike mechanics
  • get basic repairs on your bike for free
  • learn how to make repairs yourself
  • bring or borrow a bike and ride our obstacle course
  • compete in the “Slowest Bike Race”
  • learn how to ride without training wheels

Buy a $2 raffle ticket to be entered in a raffle for a brand new kids bike valued at $350!!

Have a bike to donate? They’ll accept donations of used bicycles up to and including the day of the Harding Recycle. Arrange for your donation to be picked up from your home by emailing hardingrecycle@gmail.com, or bring it to the event on May 21st.

Want more info? Go to their  website!

May
26
Thu
Transportation Commission Meeting @ Council Chambers, City Hall
May 26 @ 7:00 pm – 10:30 pm

The monthly Transportation Commission Meeting, the Fourth Thursday of every month, is a great place to make your ideas known, find out about the transportation issues and projects in Albany, and help improve things for cyclists and pedestrians in and around our town.

Register and get Zoom link on the City website here.

The agenda will be posted on the City website here.
Come on down!