Fri 1/13/2012 9:00 PM
There is some crazy loud music coming from what sounds like Dimond Park. Or maybe just a big old house party on Canon. It's pretty darn annoying.
Anyone know what's up? It's just so out of place and different I'm kind of laughing (music=not very good soul/house/funk).
Fri 1/13/2012 9:05 PM
East Bay Bike Party.
They just passed us on E. 38th Street. Actually pretty nice energy. The website encourages good behavior: http://eastbaybikeparty.wordpress.com/
Fri 1/13/2012 9:34 PM
The last time this many people congregated in the park, about 15 years ago, we almost had a riot. It ended with cops showing up after numerous calls by the neighbors and ended w/11 Oakland Police in riot gear walking down Fruitvale Avenue from Safeway to the park with helicopters overhead. It was not pretty and we were all shook up. Safeway had lots of vandalism and kids ran everywhere after throwing a bottle at one of the police cars. As a matter-of-fact, I believe it was the Chief of Police who, after the incident, contacted those of us who had called before the problem arose and apologized for their lack of concern.
Please, please call the police. There are way too many people in the park for this to end well. I don't care if they're on bicycles, it's Friday night aka party night and people get out of control. I called 911 twenty minutes ago and they told me they'd send a car but I haven't seen one yet.
Fri 1/13/2012 10:33 PM
http://www.facebook.com/groups/eastbaybikeparty/
The East Bay Bike party is a large group of bikers who are out for fun like critical mass in sf.
This group apparently has plans to stop at several Oakland Parks with out any prior approvals.
Although they are basically a decent group of active young adults and I would not expect terrible things out of them, their Facebook page shows they are most likely enjoying a few drinks along the way. (at least Jello Shots!)The music is of course banned in Dimond Park as well as alcohol, and un-permitted groups over 25 people and/or usage of the park past dark.
When ever the park is having obviously illegal or unwanted behaviors, please do call OPD and let them know.
As the park supervisor, I do not live right there but greatly care what activity affects the community. Do not let them destroy what we work so hard to maintain!
Thank you for looking out for the park and sending it out on the email so I can know all the neighborhood issues!
Sat 1/14/2012 6:59 PM
Thanks for the link, Noel; I left a comment there.
When I finally realized what was going on in the park (I had been ignoring my dog barking at the back door) I was angry about the obviously amplified music. Then as I sat watching the event, trying to figure out what this was (all I could see is tiny lighted objects moved in the darkness under trees, then I realized it was a fairly good crowd who seemed organized and peaceful. Live and let live, I thought. Who are they hurting? And it didn't seem to last awfully late.
I agree it's not a good precedent and hopefully won't encourage other groups to do similar things. I would have absolutely no complaint if they came back, but without amplifiers.
The park has seen many odd and even ugly things but I like living near a park which tolerates peaceful and unique gatherings. I remember once listening to an American Indian drum circle. Also solo aspiring musicians practice there sometimes. All music is joyfully encouraged. But perhaps the next time you hear or see something different at the park, stop and think: Who's it hurting?, or could my complaint be better targeted at a community forum, instead of to 911? Or could I not just take a deep breath and try to expand your life experience?
Or maybe not. Your choice.
Sun 1/15/2012 9:22 AM
No need for anyone to be scared or to call the police.
I participated in a ride about three months ago throughout downtown oakland to fruitvale. It is super fun and safe, and organized. I would encourage everyone on this list to give it a shot and ride during the next one - it's not just a bunch of people drinking or playing music and making noise.
Sun 1/15/2012 10:10 AM
What's supposed to happen at intersections? At an intersection where the car had the right of way (no stop sign) and the bicycles had a stop sign, the bicycles were streaming through the stop sign without stopping and the car waited patiently at the intersection. I was on foot, stopped going the same direction as the car, also patiently waiting to cross and enjoying watching all the riders. It was a huge group so we were there a while. Eventually there was a gap in the riders and the car tentatively started to enter the intersection. Because the driver was tentative, he was still in the intersection when the next cluster of bikes arrived. They were upset and pretty rude in their words the driver. And this caused me to wonder. In terms of rules of the road, what should one expect during a ride like this?
Sun 1/15/2012 10:34 AM
In Critical Mass type rides (San Francisco & many other cities worldwide) the whole idea is to reach critical mass where cars are forced to yield to bicycles.
Sun 1/15/2012 1:24 PM
Technically, the car at the intersection had the right-a-way. As most of you probably know already, bicycles are considered moving vehicles with all the rights and responsibilities. So, the bicycles are supposed to stop at red lights and stop signs just like cars and you can get a ticket for a moving violation if you don't. (I heard that a kid who is too young for a driver's license can get a ticket for a bicycle violation and stays on the record for at least the usual time. Not sure about the timing).
I'm sure that the bicyclists know this and they are not thinking correctly if they get mad at the car's driver. However, reality is often different from what is the law.
Sun 1/15/2012 5:07 PM
When I participated, everyone followed the rules of the road that would normally apply.
Sadly, all it takes is one bad apple to spoil it for everyone else!
I think - repeat, I think - the idea behind this is different from critical mass - my experience was more of an enjoyable friday night bike ride that encouraged people to hop on their bicycles and ride through oakland late at night in a controlled way that didn't disrupt or harm anyone.
sounds like the most recent one was different, and that's too bad, as my experience my positive.
Sun 1/15/2012 5:23 PM
Bike Party passed our house for 30 minutes, with great energy. We loved it. There was music playing, which was very nice. It brought a little life to our otherwise dead silent street at night. Gave us that good sense of connection to the positive side of our community.
Sun 1/15/2012 5:23 PM
Bike Party passed our house for 30 minutes, with great energy. We loved it. There was music playing, which was very nice. It brought a little life to our otherwise dead silent street at night. Gave us that good sense of connection to the positive side of our community.
Sun 1/15/2012 7:28 PM
The concept of "Critical Mass" and "cars are forced to yield to bicycles" sounds obnoxious. I saw one in San Francisco like this and it was ugly. I didn't see anything approaching that on Friday. I thought it was amazing. I happened to be heading out walking when the first couple of riders (well ahead of the pack) passed my house and they were still streaming by when I was heading back. In my email I was inquiring about expectations of drivers, pedestrians, and cyclists going in opposing directions. Anyway, sounds like there is no consensus. Ride on!!
Sun 1/15/2012 10:19 PM
It was the most beautiful thing I have seen in our neighborhood. (besides red tail and falcon sightings).
I stood with my dog near the corner of Glen Park and E.38th with a giant grin on my face watching the lit bikes fly by, crawl by, get pushed by for a good 10 - 15 minutes.
Would LOVE for them to do it again!