Last night's berkeley ride started with the most police presence seen in years out of fear of the x-mas tree rides that have captured berkeley by storm. One participant was told "If one x-mas tree is lit on fire, you all go to jail". with this bogus threat, bicyclists rode through berkeley, x-mas trees in hand and had a full police escort along the way.

After taking telegraph and shattuck, bicyclists went to Oakland, and were followed by BPD for almost 2 miles before they turned back to Berkeley. The ride continued along telegraph blasting james brown and into downtown Oakland. The ride was met by excited sidewalk participants who danced along with us. The ride was hands off by police until it went down Broadway towards college ave. The ride started to get sour when bicyclists were told to get into the right lane, then without warning, the sound system was stopped and the bicyclist arrested. another bicyclist was detained and almost hit with a baton and given a ticket.

When bicyclists refused to leave, police decided to make a deal, both people would be released if we stayed in the right lane and went back to Berkeley. The mass obliged, and got a police escort to Berkeley.

We encourage people to come out to these rides in oakland and in berkeley.

The times they are a changin'