Hyper-Local History of the Bike in Golden Gate Park

Join us for a meandering bike ride through Golden Gate Park to explore the legacy of bicycling in the park since the 1890s. Whether you’re a history buff or you just enjoy a bike ride through the park with friendly folks, this bike tour will be a great time. We’ll pedal along routes and paths that have been used by cyclists for 125 years and stop to learn about the history of local bicycle culture along the way.
San Franciscans have always been early adopters of technology and the bicycle was no exception. As soon as the bike became widely available in the 1890s, it was pedaled into the park, where “bicyclers” formed social and recreational groups. They formed clubs and held races. They also encountered horses, horse-drawn carriages, pedestrians, and eventually automobiles.
Sister-and-brother-team Nancy and Jonathan Botkin will lead this tour through the history and geography of the bicycle in Golden Gate Park. Jonathan is a bicycle historian, specializing in the bicycle culture in San Francisco of the late 1800s-early 1900s. Nancy is obsessed with the roads and paths of Golden Gate Park, and co-author of the new book Discovering Golden Gate Park with Marta Lindsey (of WalkSF).
Bring water and snacks. Wear a helmet, plus sunscreen and layers for our changeable weather.
The ride will be 5 1/2 miles one-way. The route is exclusively within the park, mostly on paved roads, but there will be some riding on dirt trails (but still doable on road bikes). Preview the route here.

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Host or Publisher San Francisco Bicycle Coalition