How the DC bike party changed the way I saw biking forever

What the hell is a bike party?

A bike party is a mass gathering of people riding bikes, scooters, unicycles, or whatever machine can transport a human without an engine. At a predetermined time, hundreds of everyday people meet up and pour onto a city’s streets blasting music, wearing insane outfits, and riding even more ridiculous contraptions.

This event is highly similar to an event called Critical Mass, which occurs monthly in many cities around the world (including Raleigh) for fun and as a statement demonstrating visibility to people outside cars. What differentiates a bike party is an emphasis almost singularly on fun, with different themes every month.

Despite the seemingly innocuous mission, bike parties achieve the same objectives as Critical Mass—demonstrating mass showings of riders who use public infrastructure. The Washington, DC bike party draws enormous groups and is a spectacular sight to see. Watching, and later participating in, the event has permanently changed the way I’ve viewed biking as a community.

I would never in a hundred years think I would be writing (for free) about such a subject—let alone bikes in general.

When I saw my first bike party in DC, I was floored by the madness of the scene. Hundreds of people parading down the street dancing to music, people performing acrobatics, and others high-fiving onlookers. Not only did it look fun, it was the antithesis of all my preconceptions of what riding bikes with others could be.

The communities of cyclists I’d grown up around were ultra-fit, middle-aged, white guys wearing Lycra and riding bikes that cost thousands of dollars. Though nothing is wrong with anyone who rides like this, the image can reinforce exclusivity and keep many people away from even entertaining the idea of riding a bike.

Here in DC were almost a thousand people of every imaginable background riding hand-me-downs, rental bikes, hand-welded “tall-bikes,” electric boards, unicycles, and everything in between. Not only is every variation of transportation accepted here, the sense of safety is much higher than riding alone.

American cities are difficult and sometimes outwardly hostile for people outside cars. These rides offer slow speeds, social opportunities, and guided routes to ease any newcomer’s anxiety. In my lifetime, I haven’t seen an event more capable of redefining the image of who is a “cyclist” and more inviting to people who would otherwise never pick up a bike.

The elation, inclusiveness, and ease of everyone riding in these events are tangible. Post-COVID and in today’s political climate, it can’t be stated more how refreshing it is to feel a sense of collectiveness and a common goal of sharing a good time with your community.

With a bike party’s focus on fun and reassurance of safety in a pre-planned group ride, I was surprised to see many families with young children and elderly people attracted to these loud and vivacious events.

I can’t think of a stronger message of solidarity and humanity than hundreds of people, young and old, having a good time bonding with friends and complete strangers over a bike ride.