Sign up for our next Wheels & Waterways ride

In July, Silicon Valley Bicycle Coalition will host its next Wheels and Waterways ride, the seventh event in a 3-year, 12-ride series aimed at providing fun riding opportunities for bicyclists of all abilities, while supporting a healthy creek trails network. The following post details the April 29th Wheels & Waterways ride, a partnership between SVBC and the SJ Conservation Corps.

The series is funded by Valley Water’s Safe, Clean Water and Natural Flood Protection Program, and will use bike rides and trash cleanup events to showcase water infrastructure in Santa Clara County to people in the bike community.

SVBC’s social rides are hosted to provide fun opportunities for bicyclists of all abilities to build confidence in riding for everyday use. Mark your calendars for our next Wheels and Waterways ride in partnership with the San José Conservation Corps on Saturday, July 22nd – register now!

Background on the Wheels & Waterways Trail Maintenance Ride (April 29th, 2023)

SVBC's San Jose Local Team, our dedicated volunteers advocating for a bike-friendly San Jose, played a crucial role in leading the successful April 29th Wheels & Waterways Trail Maintenance clean-up ride. During a rainy winter, the San José Local Team came together to share information with one another about the flooding on local creek trails. Inspired by their cooperation, the SVBC Programs team organized this Trail Maintenance Ride to help protect the healthy trails network. In partnership with San José Conservation Corps (SJCC) Trail Safety Team, this event deployed e-bikes, personnel, and maintenance equipment, and combined it with SVBC’s committed Local Team volunteers.

Highlights of April’s Trail Cleanup Event

Attendees included representatives from SJ Trails Management, community leaders, activists, SVBC volunteers, SJCC staff, and City of San Jose public servants. SJCC staff including Briana Horta and Robert Guzmán provided an overview of the gear and workforce housed at the Conservation Corps Yard off of Senter Road. Donuts (thanks, SJCC!) and information consumed, 15 bicyclists hit the road. Riders took a straightforward route north up Senter Rd. to the Spartan-Keyes neighborhood, with a left on Keyes Street, then north to the northeastern corner of Willow Glen. There, we entered the Guadalupe River Trail.

We were lucky that the founder of San José’s Eastside Ride and service organization Community Express, Justin Triano, joined us as well. With more volunteers than the Corps members are used to working with, we gathered so much trash that Justin’s cargo e-bike was pulling heavy duty from our cleanup points to the dumpsters.

The event showcased remarkable results, with volunteers and corps members collaborating to clean up the creek banks and trails. Despite the litter and pollution, the experience of being surrounded by trees, flowing water, and wildlife was rejuvenating.

Join the Next Wheels and Waterways Event!

As we gear up for the next Wheels & Waterways event on July 22nd, we invite you to join us in transforming our trails. We’re grateful to the SJ Conservation Corps for their partnership and look forward to working with them again. If you would like to be part of this initiative and contribute to the July 22nd event, please register on Evenbrite!

SVBC’s social rides program provides an opportunity for advocates and biketivists to connect in a casual setting, fostering bonds among those dedicating their time to this cause. Through programs like these, we’re creating bike-friendly, healthy, and more just communities for all to enjoy.

Check out some of our favorite moments from the April 29th ride below!