Over 1,500 cyclists were counted last night at the San Jose Bike Party. Read the ride report and the comments over there.

There were apparently some problems — in spite of the efforts of organizers to clean things up and encourage participants to follow the law, several cyclists were ticketed for running red lights. They’ve started a volunteer “Bike Information Resource Direction” (BIRD) posse, but they’re looking for more ideas on how to further encourage more lawful riding and other problems.

There’s another troubling development in the comments: apparently, there are now motorists throwing eggs and rocks at the Bike Party people. Several riders are responding with calls for video cameras on the rides.

Read more at San Jose Bike Party.

Wire World also has a ride report from last night’s bike party complete with video and photos.

The Twin Cities of Minneapolis & St. Paul, MN plan to start a bike share next May, 2010 called Nice Ride Minnesota, a brand created by Duffy & Partners, a local design firm.

“We immediately knew we wanted Joe Duffy and his team involved in creating the identity for Nice Ride Minnesota,” said Bill Dossett, principal consultant for the Twin Cities bike share initiative and a City of Lakes Nordic Ski Foundation organizer. “Duffy & Partners has a unique sense for city events and culture, as was proven in the identity they created for The City of Lakes Loppet, an annual cross-country ski festival around Minneapolis lakes. Duffy’s experience, coupled with their hometown passion, made for an inspiring, creative partnership.”

Along with branding Nice Ride Minnesota, Duffy & Partners is also committed to seeing the growth and success of the program into the future, with members of the company volunteering their time at Nice Ride Minnesota promotional events. Joseph Duffy, designer at Duffy & Partners, also volunteers his time as a board member of Nice Ride Minnesota.

Initially, the system will launch phase one with 1,000 bicycles in 75 kiosks around downtown Minneapolis, Uptown and the University of Minnesota. Service will eventually expand to St. Paul and other high-density neighborhoods around the Twin Cities. Phase one is expected to go live in spring 2010.

More –> Nice Ride Minnesota.

Mason rides his blue Schwinn Varsity (converted to fixed gear) through heavy traffic on Santa Clara Street in downtown San Jose, California.

Enjoy the ride!

Several League of American Bicyclists Certified Instructors (LCI) are in San Jose this weekend for the LAB Smart Cycling Conference. Anita below is dressed like the typical LCI, except many LCIs have more facial hair, more age, more Y chromosomes and more mirrors. In other words, they look something like me.

I’ve heard that some of them will join tonight’s San Jose Bike Party ride. Here’s how they roll.

It should be interesting to watch.

The ride starts tonight at Dick’s Center (on Bascom north of Hamilton in the big triangle parking lot), meander to downtown, loop waaay out to Berryessa and Alum Rock before ending up at the San Jose State University campus. Theoretically they meet at 8:30 PM.