San Diego Bicycle Summit Will Include Sessions on Wheels and on Foot

Bike session photo by Evan Dudley.

When the California Bicycle Summit comes to San Diego on April 18-19, it will include sessions that take participants outside the venue and onto the streets to view some of the improvements the city has made for people biking and walking. Mobile sessions are a chance to experience infrastructure and culture in this diverse and evolving city.

For those arriving on Wednesday, the San Diego County Bicycle Coalition will lead a walk from the venue to its offices for a brief welcome reception alongside CalBike and local partners Bike SD and Circulate SD. Along the approximately two-mile route, participants will learn about downtown’s active transportation infrastructure, local attractions, and restaurants of note. If you can’t attend on Wednesday afternoon, this mobile session will repeat on Friday, April 19.

On Thursday, attendees can choose between two mobile sessions to view San Diego bikeways. Riders of all ages and abilities are welcome at both sessions. The shorter route is flat, and the longer route includes a slight grade. Both bike sessions will highlight one of the region’s most transformative projects, SANDAG’s Pershing Bikeway in Balboa Park. Both sessions will be led by project staff involved in planning and building the infrastructure on the route, and staff from Eco-Counter. 

In addition to a repeat of Wednesday’s walking session, Friday includes a mobile session highlighting historic Chicano Park in Barrio Logan and a ride on the Bayshore Bikeway. Participants will learn about the history of Chicano Park and the struggles of the neighborhood, which have often centered around discriminatory transportation and infrastructure policies.

A small fleet of approximately 20 electric bikes will be provided for use at the mobile sessions by our sponsor Rad Power Bikes. Pre-registration for mobile sessions will not be offered, and loaner bikes will be available on a first-come, first-served basis. Participants may also bring their own bikes, or you can rent a bike for the day from Unlimited Biking. Use code CALBIKE24 for a 20% discount. 

If you haven’t registered for the California Bicycle Summit yet, get your ticket today to reserve your spot at California’s essential bicycle conference.