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

Sep
25
Thu
Albany Local Week – get points for using Bike Bike Racks! @ Albany, California
Sep 25 – Sep 26 all-day
The rack in front of T324 is always filled by their customers and those from nearby businesses

The rack in front of T324 is always filled by their customers and those from nearby businesses

The Albany Recreation & Community Services Department is having our city’s annual Albany Local Week, September 20th -26th, where you get points for doing your business in town!
This year you’ll get points for parking your bike on the 25 “Bike Bike Racks” that Albany Strollers & Rollers helped fund around town.

Locations include the Albany/Berkeley border on Solano Avenue, Albany Children’s Center, Albany Fresh Produce, Albany Taproom,  Be Fit Personal Training, BevMo!, Bikes on Solano, Bridgewater Condominiums Visitor Parking, Bua Luang Thai Cuisine, Gathering Tribes, Grazzy Burgers, Hamro Aangan – Indo-Nepalese Cuisine, Innate Chiropractic, Jewel’s Terrace Park, K2Tog: Knitting the

The Bike Bike Rack at Daniel Winkler & Associates is popular!

The Bike Bike Rack at Daniel Winkler & Associates is popular!

World Together,  Metta Traditional Thai Massage, Prins Chiropractic, Daniel Winkler & Associates, Inc., Royal Cafe,T324, Tay Tah Cafe, St. Alban’s Episcopal Church and Zarri’s Delicatessen.
Get your Albany Local Week Scorecard here and write in your Bike Bike Racks to rack up the points!!

Any doubt whose rack this beauty is? Yes, Charlie Prins Chiropractic co-funded this rack, along with AS&R and the City of Albany, but neighboring businesses are welcome to use it!

Any doubt whose rack this beauty is? Yes, Charlie Prins Chiropractic co-funded this rack, along with AS&R and the City of Albany, but neighboring businesses are welcome to use it!

Roll up to Grazzy Burgers/Albany Taproom for a beer, a burger or a salad!

Roll up to Grazzy Burgers/Albany Taproom for a beer, a burger or a salad!


Sep
26
Fri
Albany Local Week – get points for using Bike Bike Racks! @ Albany, California
Sep 26 – Sep 27 all-day
The rack in front of T324 is always filled by their customers and those from nearby businesses

The rack in front of T324 is always filled by their customers and those from nearby businesses

The Albany Recreation & Community Services Department is having our city’s annual Albany Local Week, September 20th -26th, where you get points for doing your business in town!
This year you’ll get points for parking your bike on the 25 “Bike Bike Racks” that Albany Strollers & Rollers helped fund around town.

Locations include the Albany/Berkeley border on Solano Avenue, Albany Children’s Center, Albany Fresh Produce, Albany Taproom,  Be Fit Personal Training, BevMo!, Bikes on Solano, Bridgewater Condominiums Visitor Parking, Bua Luang Thai Cuisine, Gathering Tribes, Grazzy Burgers, Hamro Aangan – Indo-Nepalese Cuisine, Innate Chiropractic, Jewel’s Terrace Park, K2Tog: Knitting the

The Bike Bike Rack at Daniel Winkler & Associates is popular!

The Bike Bike Rack at Daniel Winkler & Associates is popular!

World Together,  Metta Traditional Thai Massage, Prins Chiropractic, Daniel Winkler & Associates, Inc., Royal Cafe,T324, Tay Tah Cafe, St. Alban’s Episcopal Church and Zarri’s Delicatessen.
Get your Albany Local Week Scorecard here and write in your Bike Bike Racks to rack up the points!!

Any doubt whose rack this beauty is? Yes, Charlie Prins Chiropractic co-funded this rack, along with AS&R and the City of Albany, but neighboring businesses are welcome to use it!

Any doubt whose rack this beauty is? Yes, Charlie Prins Chiropractic co-funded this rack, along with AS&R and the City of Albany, but neighboring businesses are welcome to use it!

Roll up to Grazzy Burgers/Albany Taproom for a beer, a burger or a salad!

Roll up to Grazzy Burgers/Albany Taproom for a beer, a burger or a salad!


Feb
19
Thu
Public Meeting on Albany Neck & Bulb Transition Improvement Plan – WE NEED YOU! @ Albany City Hall
Feb 19 @ 7:00 pm – 10:00 pm
The racks are perfectly situated for folks who want to enjoy the beach, a hike or just enjoy the beautiful view

These racks that AS&R provided for the City are perfectly situated for folks who want to enjoy the beach, a hike or just enjoy the beautiful view. Let’s make sure we still have recreational access to the Albany Bulb and the Neck!

Do you ride your bike, walk, hike, jog or otherwise enjoy the Albany Bulb & Neck areas? Do you want to continue to have access so you can enjoy the Albany Waterfront to its fullest? Both pieces are scheduled to be transferred to the East Bay Regional Park District and some groups and individuals want to curtail recreational use. Further details about the process and possibilities are here on our website.
This meeting will be the first opportunity to give PUBLIC INPUT saying that yes, recreational access is important to you and your family!

More details will be posted as we have more information but please save the date to make sure we have access to OUR WATERFRONT! Speak up, or we are in danger of losing recreational access.

Some materials related to this effort are found here:

1. Conservancy Staff Report 5-29-2014

2. WRT_Albany Neck & Bulb Stakeholder Meeting_Access and Recreation

3. Scope of Consultant Services for Albany Neck and Bulb Transition Plan

Want bike trails like this along our beautiful Bay? Speak up!

Want bike trails like this along our beautiful Bay? Speak up!

Sep
18
Fri
City of Albany Pop-up Parklet for the Day @ in front of Gordo's
Sep 18 @ 10:00 am – 6:00 pm

Spend the afternoon at a Pop-up Park on Solano Avenue!
Tables & umbrellas will be set in two parking stalls adjacent to Gordo’s and Domino’s for a day of community, music and relaxation. Grab a burrito, tacos, pizza, ice cream or anything from local businesses as we transform two boring parking spaces into an inviting  parklet.

The intrepid installation team for Albany Strollers & Rollers' new public bike pump at the corner of Solano & Santa Fe. The City of Albany's Mark Matherly, AS&R's Amy Smolens & Dan Lieberman and Dan's son Sander

The intrepid installation team for Albany Strollers & Rollers’ new public bike pump at the corner of Solano & Santa Fe.
The City of Albany’s Mark Matherly, AS&R’s Amy Smolens & Dan Lieberman and Dan’s son Sander

Afterwards, roll up the hill to pump up your tires at Albany Strollers& Rollers’ brand new public bike pump before heading to the final Bike About Town ride!

Feb
13
Sat
Friends of Albany Parks – Bulb Clean-up Day @ Albany Bulb
Feb 13 @ 9:00 am – 12:30 pm
Want to ride along our beautiful Bay? Come help clean up at the Bulb!

Want to ride along our beautiful Bay? Come help clean up at the Bulb!

Do you and your family go out to the Albany Bulb to enjoy nature? Sure you do!
Please help “Friends of Albany Parks” clean up the Bulb so you, your friends and family can enjoy the experience more!
Plus, get a FREE PIZZA LUNCH from the Albany Community Foundation !

These racks that AS&R bought are perfectly situated for folks who want to enjoy the beach, a hike or just enjoy the beautiful view. Help clean up the Bulb to make it more enjoyable!

These racks that AS&R bought are perfectly situated for folks who want to enjoy the beach, a hike or just enjoy the beautiful view.
Help clean up the Bulb to make it more enjoyable!


The “Friends of Albany Parks”program is designed to encourage community members to get involved with the care, maintenance and beautification of their favorite neighborhood park. These events also help foster a better sense of community and build social capital as neighbors meet and work with one another.

Volunteers who attend the Clean-Up Day will receive an official Friends of Albany Parks t-shirt. Lunch is provided by the Albany Community Foundation.

Albany Police Department Strategic Plan Community Workshop @ Albany Senior Center
Feb 13 @ 9:30 am – 11:00 am

What’s important to you to communicate to the Albany Police Department?
Here’s an opportunity to give them your input! Make plans to attend their Community Work Session and tell them what’s important to you as an Albany resident or visitor. They want to clearly identify resident’s priorities for the next 3-5 years and plan to incorporate those priorities into their strategic planning process. Your opinion matters… so let them know what matters to you at this meeting!
RSVPs are requested but not required: policeplan@albanyca.org

Jun
6
Mon
Albany Neck & Bulb Transition Improvement Plan FINAL MEETING! @ Albany City Hall
Jun 6 @ 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm
These racks that AS&R bought are perfectly situated for folks who want to enjoy the beach, a hike or just enjoy the beautiful view. Help clean up the Bulb to make it more enjoyable!

These racks that AS&R funded at the Waterfront are perfectly situated for folks who want to enjoy the beach, a hike or just enjoy the beautiful view.
Help keep our access there!

Do you ride your bike, walk, hike, jog or otherwise enjoy the Albany Bulb & Neck areas? Do you want to continue to have access so you can enjoy the Albany Waterfront to its fullest? Both pieces are scheduled to be transferred to the East Bay Regional Park District and some groups and individuals want to curtail recreational use and bicycle access.

The City is completing its “Albany Neck & Bulb Transition Improvement Plan” public process so this meeting is your final opportunity to give your input in order to ensure that the Waterfront area is something that can be enjoyed by all.

Representatives from Albany Strollers & Rollers and Bicycle Trails Council of the East Bay were invited to a Stakeholder meeting with Albany City Staff and the Planning & Design Consultants, and we were able to voice our opinions.

BUT it is crucial that City Staff, Consultants and City Council hear from YOU AND YOUR FAMILY TO SET FORTH PRIORITIES and a plan to communicate to EBRPD.

Want to ride along our beautiful Bay? Come help clean up at the Bulb!

Want to ride along our beautiful Bay? Speak up!

Bike & hiking paths? Bathrooms? Bike racks? Picnic tables? Improved bicycle access from all directions?
What would make this a great recreational area, like the areas that Berkeley has in its Marina?

This City Council meeting is the FINAL PUBLIC FORUM TO SAY THAT YES, RECREATIONAL ACCESS IS IMPORTANT TO YOU AND YOUR FAMILY!
Consultants from WRT will give a brief presentation on the process and the final study, and there will be an opportunity for public comment.

More details will be posted as we have more information but please save the date to make sure we keep access to OUR WATERFRONT!
We risk losing access to our Bay if we don’t speak up!
Written comments can be provided in advance of the meeting to cityhall@albanyca.org. We encourage written comments be sent before the day of the meeting to ensure they can be taken into consideration.

Documents related to this effort are included here:

1. Final Albany Neck & Bulb Transition Study (very large – 143 pages)

2. Conservancy Staff Report 05-29-2014
3. WRT_Albany Neck & Bulb Stakeholder Meeting_Access and Recreation
4. Scope of Consultant Services for Albany Neck and Bulb Transition Plan
5.  WRT Transition Improvement Plan as of April 2015

 

Sep
11
Sun
Solano Stroll – Volunteers Needed – AS&R is providing Free Bicycle Valet Parking! @ Solano Avenue, Albany and Berkeley
Sep 11 @ 10:00 am – 6:00 pm
Come visit AS&R at our information table then enjoy a great stroll up Solano! Or better yet, volunteer a few hours before strolling!

Come visit AS&R at our information table then enjoy a great stroll up Solano!
Or better yet, volunteer a few hours before strolling!

Albany Strollers & Rollers will again be providing Free Bicycle Valet Parking at two locations: 1800 Solano Ave (Wells Fargo) and 1245 Solano (the “Pumpkin Patch” 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's volunteers park hundreds of bikes at two lots at the annual Solano Stroll! Please give us a hand this year!

AS&R’s volunteers park hundreds of bikes at two lots at the annual Solano Stroll! Please give us a hand this year!

All volunteers who work at least a 4-hr shift or pick up & return rental racks will get free lunch provided by a Solano Avenue restaurant, probably Tay Tah or Zaytoon. Whichever one is is, it’ll be delicious!!

AS&R 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!

AS&R 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!

Have Valet Parking experience?  Mac McCurdy, BVP coordinator extraordinaire, is ready to pass on his trade secrets to train another coordinator. Would you like to be trained by pros like Mac and Sylvia Paull, to fill this important role and add to your LinkedIn bio? And YES, I have a special prize/perk in mind for the person who volunteers for this!
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 and AS&R 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!
Come visit the unique and popular professional services, restaurants, and shops already here on Solano Avenue.

Volunteers Sara, Nick, Sylvia, Ken and Anne beneath the Bua Luang banner after a long & productive day of parking 300+ bikes! Please join them this year!

Volunteers Sara, Nick, Sylvia, Ken and Anne beneath the Bua Luang banner after a long & productive day of parking 300+ bikes! Please join them this year!

250,000 participants and event guests visit from all over the west coast.
This family event promotes the unique traits of Solano Avenue, helping independently-owned businesses, artists, and community organizations to thrive by exposure and fundraising.
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.

Apr
17
Mon
Albany Beach/Bay Trail Design Review Board Meeting – SF Bay Conservation & Development Commission @ Bay Area Metro Center
Apr 17 @ 5:30 pm – 7:30 pm

These racks that AS&R bought are perfectly situated for folks who want to enjoy the beach, a hike or just enjoy the beautiful view.
Help give input to make the Waterfront even more enjoyable!

The Bay Conservation & Development Commission will hold a Hearing on the Albany Beach Project.

Albany Beach Restoration & Public Access Project (first review) is the first actual agenda item of the meeting.

Won’t it be nice when we have a Bay Trail Connection through Albany?

The Design Review Board will review the design by the East Bay Regional Parks District, Questa Engineering, and 2M Associates for the Albany Beach Restoration and Public Access Project in the Cities of Albany and Berkeley, adjacent to Golden Gate Fields. The project would enhance the existing beach and dunes and would create approximately 4,765 linear feet of new Bay Trail, overlooks, and a 20-space parking lot.
Link to Meeting Materials which includes exhibits for the above  which is Item 4 (but the first actual agenda item) on the Tentative Agenda.

May
16
Tue
Public Meeting on Albany Bay Trail and Beach Restoration @ Albany City Hall Council Chambers
May 16 @ 6:30 pm – 7:30 pm

Help ensure that Albany’s segment of the Bay Trail will be completed, and safe & fun for all!

After a group of Albany residents, including fellow Strollers & Rollers, pointed out improvements that should be made to our Waterfront, there will be a chance to see the plans and give input on the Albany Bay Trail and beach project, officially known as the Albany Beach Restoration and Public Access Project.

This is perhaps the LAST SIGNIFICANT CHANCE for input before final approvals and construction. Thanks much to Councilmember Rochelle Nason for making this meeting happen and to AS&R member Susan Moffat for mobilizing the group a few weeks ago.
Let’s make sure that OUR Waterfront is optimized for people who want to bike, walk, stroll and roll. There is a lot of car parking, but not nearly as much attention paid to parking for bicycles.
Please feel free to share this information with people who may not be on the AS&R list to encourage broad community input.East Bay Regional Park District Staff (EBRPD) and City staff will present information regarding EBRPD beach/trail projects in Albany. The meeting will provide an opportunity for community members to comment on the EBRPD beach/trail projects.
Note: a quorum of the City Council and/or an advisory body to the City Council may be present at this public meeting.
Here is the site plan
And the existing conditions map
And the complete packet from the most recent public meeting (April 17), which was at the San Francisco Bay Conservation and Development Commission Design Review Board. This packet has cross-sections and more detailed plans and a staff report.
Albany resident and landscape architect Hugo Larman drafted this updated plan  based on community input, which expands the beach area, adds bike racks and moves car parking near existing parking.
EIR and other info from EBRPD (scroll down to where is says “Albany Beach Habitat Restoration and Public Access Project.”)

These racks that AS&R bought are perfectly situated for folks who want to enjoy the beach, a hike or just enjoy the beautiful view, but they are lonely! We need more “there” at the Waterfront, and more bike racks near other destinations.

AS&R member Dan Johnson prepared comments and alternative plans . After further discussion, Dan & others believe that the location for parking might not be feasible. However his diagram about the amount of paving is relevant.

While not a part of EBRPD’s plan, the Albany Waterfront Committee’s Cove Enhancement Plan should be completed by the City of Albany and taken into account by EBRPD for a comprehensive plan at the entire waterfront. The only reason it was not completed in 2012 was because EBRPD requested the City hold off because of upcoming construction. That reason is long past.

In response to recent community comments, the designers are making efforts to reduce the large amount of pavement for the vehicle driveway and turnaround to leave more open space for recreation at the south end of the site. However, a number of us believe that it would be more functional and would preserve more open space (as well as reduce bicycle-pedestrian conflicts) to locate the parking near the existing parking, on the north side of Buchanan St., which would eliminate the need for the long driveway. However, this area is City-owned and outside the EBRPD project area.