The bicycle came to San Francisco during the last quarter of the 19th century, according to the FoundSF.org San Francisco digital history archive. "Like other places, it first developed based on wooden wheels, similar to those that were bearing stagecoaches and being drawn by horses," wrote cycling legend Chris Carlsson, a cofounder of the city's Critical Mass bike rides, in an essay for the website. As Carlsson pointed out, cyclists understood the power of these machines despite the discomfort of early models.
 
"The bicycle ranks among those gifts of science to man, by which he is enabled to supplement his own puny powers with the exhaustive forces around him," wrote a columnist in the January 25, 1879 issue of the San Francisco Chronicle. "He sits in the saddle, and all nature is but a four-footed beast to do his bidding. Why should he go a foot, while he can ride a mustang of steel, who knows his rider and never needs a lasso? The exhilaration of bicycling must be felt to be appreciated. With the wind singing in your ears, and the mind as well as body in a higher plane, there is an ecstasy of triumph over inertia, gravitation, and the other lazy ties that bind us. You are traveling! Not being traveled."

Bike to Work Day

Traveling by bicycle is an experience enjoyed by many. "There are tons of people who ride bikes in the Tri-Valley, from seasoned cyclists to families who casually bike through parks to those who bike for transportation," says Caitlin Gleason, Events Manager at the Bike East Bay nonprofit. "People often reach out asking how they can incorporate biking into their life even more. We most often refer them to our free bike education classes or to local groups that organize advocacy and group rides."

One historic celebration of cycling began in 1956 as Bike to Work Day, which has become an annual event. Participating is especially popular in the Bay Area, according to the Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC), which is the transportation planning, financing, and coordinating agency for the nine-county San Francisco Bay Area. "The MTC-sponsored Bay Area Bike to Work Day has been one of the biggest bicycle commute celebrations in the U.S. over the past three decades, with nearly 100,000 annual participants," note agency officials. 

May has become known as Bike to Wherever Days in the Bay Area, and cycling will be promoted throughout the month. This year, the region's official Bike to Work Day will occur on Thursday, May 15, 2025. MTC officials say that "to help cyclists pedal safely, each of the nine Bay Area county bike coalitions is offering classes and activities to help cyclists build community, find new routes, and learn to use bicycles as a means of transportation."

"Bike East Bay mobilizes by bike to build thriving communities that are joyful, safe, and inclusive," according to Gleason. "Bike to Wherever Day is the East Bay's premier celebration of biking, bringing together a vibrant community of over tens of thousands of riders across all ages and backgrounds. Beyond a simple bike ride, this event is a powerful movement that highlights bicycling as a sustainable, healthy, and inclusive mode of transportation. By creating a welcoming atmosphere that embraces both experienced bicyclists and newcomers, Bike to Wherever Day serves as a critical platform for promoting biking culture, environmental sustainability, and community connection."

Getting Started

It is never too late to learn how to ride a bike, according to Gleason, who says the group's popular, free Adult Learn-to-Ride course is specifically for adults and teens "who are ready to take that first step toward biking with the support of experienced instructors and a judgment-free space." The nonprofit also offers Family Cycling Workshops, Bike Commuting Basics Workshops, Urban Cycling 101, and more. Many of its classes are free of charge.

One important resource for disabled riders is the BORP Adaptive Cycling Center in Berkeley. The nonprofit does not sell adaptive bicycles. Instead, it hosts one of the largest collections of adaptive bikes in the world, including handcycles, recumbent bikes, side-by-side tandems, and other models. That allows individuals to see if an adaptive bike would meet their needs. The Center serves children, youth, and adults with physical disabilities and visual impairments, as well as their family and friends. 

"Adaptive cycling means that everyone, regardless of physical disability, can engage in exhilarating exercise while experiencing the beauty and inspiration of the outdoors," say BORP officials.

Some individuals are nervous about riding alone. "That's why we offer group rides, supportive instructors, and a whole community cheering you on," Gleason explains. Others, who have never commuted by bicycle, may be reluctant to try because they worry about getting sweaty. Gleason says riders can make just about any clothing work for commuting.

"You can absolutely wear regular clothes, even dresses," she notes. "If you're biking at a fairly casual pace, you likely won't get sweaty. You can wear a backpack or attach a crate or bike pannier or kitty litter bucket if you're feeling crafty to a rear rack and throw your stuff in there. You can also opt for an electric bike and turn up the assist level to make your ride easier."

Gleason says many regional groups are working to make Tri-Valley streets safe and accessible to all. In addition to Bike East Bay, they include Bike Pleasanton, Bike Dublin, and Bike Walk Livermore. Dublin-based Valley Spokesmen, which welcomes members of all genders and ages, is another popular cycling group. 

On May 15, the Cities of Dublin and Pleasanton will co-host their annual Energizer Station between 7 and 9 am at the Hacienda BART station. The Energizer Station is made possible by partnerships with Bike East Bay, BART, Hacienda, and Veeva Systems. While supplies last, cyclists can enjoy refreshments there and receive a free bike bag filled with giveaways from local and regional sponsors.

City of Pleasanton officials note that Pleasanton is a bicycle friendly community, with 1,100 acres of parks and open spaces, and more than 88 miles of bike lanes to explore. Pleasanton officials work with Bike East Bay and the cities of Dublin and Livermore to offer free bicycle safety workshops that teach cyclists about road safety, laws, and bike commuting. It also provides an online bike map that illustrates the primary trail and bike lane routes in Pleasanton. 

In addition to sponsoring Bike to Work Day every year, Hacienda has long championed biking by offering walking and bicycling support services through its Commute Solutions program. It also ensures that the development has ample parking places for bicycles. In short, anyone who rides a bike, whether for pleasure, sport, or commuting, can find community and support in the Tri-Valley, in the City of Pleasanton, and at Hacienda.

For more information about the Metropolitan Transportation Commission and Bike to Work Day, please visit mtc.ca.gov/planning/transportation/bicycle-pedestrian-micromobility/bike-work-day.

For more information about Bike East Bay, please visit bikeeastbay.org.

For more information about the BORP Adaptive Cycling Center, please visit www.borp.org/programs/cycling.

For more information about Bike Pleasanton, please visit www.facebook.com/groups/BikePleasanton.

For more information about Bike Dublin, please visit www.facebook.com/groups/bikedublinca.

For more information about Bike Walk Livermore, please visit www.facebook.com/groups/153852281899946.

For more information about Valley Spokesmen, please visit www.valleyspokesmen.org.

For information about biking in the City of Pleasanton, please visit www.cityofpleasantonca.gov/your-community/getting-around/biking-in-pleasanton.

For more information about Hacienda's commuting benefits, please visit www.hacienda.org/amenities/employees-residents/commute-solutions.