As part of the Bike to Work Day festivities on Thursday, May 12, and to celebrate bicycling as a shared experience, consider joining an Oakland District Pedal Pool on your way to work.

A "pedal pool" is the bicycle equivalent of a car pool. Not only is bicycling in a groups safer because it is more visible than riding alone, but if the success of the East Bay Bike Party is any indication, groups also are more fun.

Beginning riders get a comfortable experience, more advanced cyclists get a social element added to their regular commute and everyone gets to meet their neighbors.

This year's pedal pools are all scheduled to arrive at 14th and Broadway (at a 12th Street BART station entrance) at 8:30 a.m. Participants that are able to linger will arrive in time to partake in the city of Oakland's complimentary pancake breakfast in Frank Ogawa Plaza, just in front of City Hall.

Four of this year's pedal pools will be joined by their district's City Council member. If you live in District 1, it's Jane Brunner; District 2, Pat Kernighan; District 3, Nancy Nadel; or District 4, Libby Schaaf. Take the chance to bike alongside your representative and some of their staff members. 

To get started, find your district online, or pick the starting location closest to your house. Click the location to see the full route to downtown.

• District 1: Claremont Avenue and College Avenue at 7:45 a.m. with Jane Brunner
• District 2: Grank Lake Theater at 7:55 a.m. with Pat Kernighan
• District 3: Poplar Park at 7:55 a.m. with Nancy Nadel
• District 4: Wheels of Justice (2024 Mountain Blvd.) at 7:30 a.m. with Libby Schaaf and East Bay Bicycle Coalition Executive Director Renee Rivera
• District 5: Fruitvale BART Bike Station at 7:30 a.m.
• District 6: MacArthur Boulevard and High Street at 7:15 a.m.
• District 7: Eastmont Police Station at 7 a.m.

All groups depart promptly at the scheduled time, but will take a leisurely pace.

Miller is a policy fellow with Walk Oakland Bike Oakland.