If you ever needed proof that Bryan/College Station is hungry for a bike-friendly culture, you only needed to look at our streets this past month.
Usually, when we talk about winter cycling, people think of the “brave” commuters battling the elements. But the last few weeks haven’t been about battling anything—they’ve been about celebrating. We saw back-to-back community rides that brought out families, kids, trailers, and cargo bikes in droves.
Here is a look back at a beautiful month of pedaling together.
🦃 Critical Mass: The “Turkey Burn” (Nov 28)
Critical Mass has become a standing family-friendly appointment in our town: every last Friday of the month at 7 PM, starting from Aggieland Cycling. But on the Friday after Thanksgiving, while many were recovering from a feast or hunting for Black Friday deals, this ride felt particularly special.
The timing couldn’t have been more perfect. It was the night of the revived Lone Star Showdown between Texas A&M and UT Austin. With the entire town glued to their screens watching the game, the streets were practically empty. It felt like we had the city to ourselves, allowing the group to roll along safely at an easy “party pace.”
A special shout-out goes to Austin, who courageously led the pack. He later remarked—with a tired smile—that reigning in the explosive youthful energy of the pre-teens and teenagers fighting to be at the head of the group took a lot more work than expected!
There is something powerful about that image: kids racing to the front, confident and excited, because they felt safe in the pack.
🔔 The Inaugural Jingle Bell Ride (Dec 13)
Fast forward two weeks to December 13th, and the lycra was swapped for Santa & Reindeer suits, and the reflectors were outshined by battery-powered Christmas lights.
This was the Inaugural Jingle Bell Ride, officially hosted by the City of College Station, and the turnout was nothing short of inspiring. We had bikes & trailers turned into sleighs, helmets sprouting reindeer antlers, and wheels wrapped in lights.
Because of the massive success this year, I truly believe we have started something very special that will be loved by our community for years to come.
A huge thank you goes to the City Staff for the inspired idea and flawless execution of this event. It was also fantastic to see CSPD officers riding right alongside us, sharing the joy and making everyone feel safe. For the entire ride, they helped transform our city into a playground rather than a series of roads to be crossed.
From Joy Ride to Master Plan
These events provided something rare: a living, breathing example of what our streets feel like when they are safe for everyone, from age 8 to 80.
The turnout proves a fundamental truth: Residents of College Station want to ride. When the conditions are safe—whether provided by empty streets during a football game or a police escort during a parade—the families come out.
This energy comes at a perfect time. As the City prepares to update its master plans for biking and walking, these rides serve as a powerful reminder of the ultimate goal: to build a network where children & families feel that safe every day, not just during a special event.
We have a unique opportunity ahead to bake this sense of joy and safety into our permanent infrastructure. Stay tuned—there will be more updates soon on how we can work together to make that vision a reality.
Thank you to everyone who bundled up, lit up their bikes, and came out to ride. See you in the bike lane in 2026!