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In the span of a year, the San Diego biking community has grown considerably.

Critical Mass is an event that serves as a peaceful protest where bikers meet and ride together promoting biker awareness on the roads. At the beginning of 2007, when I began fostering an enthusiasm for biking, Critical Mass counted at 200 members. Now, almost a year later, our Critical Masses have grown to nearly 400 bikers.

Riding a bike is no trend; it's a cultural phenomenon and an integrative part of any city, especially one that relies on public transportation. With recent awareness about gas emissions from vehicles causing climate change, many people are turning to their bicycles to commute. This is just one of the many reasons our city cycles - let's not forget how fun, healthy, and energy efficient biking is.

Promoting these eco-conscious ideas is the San Diego Free Bike Kitchen, a collective of biking community members that holds workshops and helps with bike education. This community space for local bikers also serves as a repair shop with tools and parts for maintenance and building of bikes.

This Sunday, May 4th Free Bike Kitchen is hosting a Bike Rights Workshop educating our community on the bike essentials: laws concerning bike rules, collisions, reporting a stolen bike, and dealing with police.

Facilitating this workshop is Darren Q. Bean! (the exclamation point is actually a part of his legal name), a local attorney who hasn't owned a car since 2001. Working in civil rights and emphasizing criminal defense, Bean is a bike enthusiast who is sharing his knowledge and promoting bike safety.

For more information on the workshop, Free Bike Kitchen or biking in general visit the community website here.