By Gene Anderson

Sometimes people ride for transportation. At times for exercise; and other times, it's just because it's fun.

The Bay Trail is a an ambitious project, spearheaded by the Association of Bay Area Governments (ABAG), that seeks to create a continuous, 500 mile trail all along the Bay’s coastline. The project will create a public space ringing the Bay we all have come to love so much. Today, 310 of the 500 miles are complete.

Some chickens, a friendly beard and a greasy handshake greet you and your ailed bike at Bike Man Dan’s community oriented shop.

His is a different business model: dedicated to recycling parts, Dan asks customers to pay their own price for his services. Such a model makes cycling affordable and gives more people the option to cycle.

First you hear the thump of approaching party music. Then a cry from a bullhorn: "Love that right lane, people!"

A loud chorus of energetic shouts: "BIKE PARTY! Yeah!" Ding ding ding go dozens of bike bells ... and a torrent of nearly 200 happy bikers begins to sweep past.