Bay Area man bringing positivity to ‘bike life’; hundreds of people expected at rideout in Hayward

SAN FRANCISCO (KGO) — In the East Bay, there is a new effort to curb a growing problem on our streets.

Organizers expect hundreds of young people to roll out in a sanctioned bike ride in Hayward on Saturday.

It comes a week after the California Highway Patrol busted dozens of people on bikes accused of trying to take over the Bay Bridge.

Meet Antwan Shelbua, better known as ‘Bigfolkspop.’ He’s a Bay Area content creator and community organizer on a mission to make a positive space for young people to ride.

“The biker community right now, it’s a lot of negativity going on in it, and I just want to showcase and show people that we can come out, ride peacefully. None of the, you know, ignorant stuff,” said Shelbua, referring to events such as the past weekend when dozens of bikers attempted to take over the Bay Bridge. Police doled out more than 80 citations and confiscated as many bikes.

MORE: Police stop attempted Bay Bridge takeover by 85 unruly cyclists, seizing their bikes

So far, Shelbua’s held two rideouts; one in San Francisco and one in Oakland, drawing more than 200 bikers. This Saturday, he’s planning another in Hayward.

“We always announce the route before we go, we always announce this is a peaceful route, we’re here to just enjoy ourselves. If you don’t feel something is right, just be grown about it and walk away. You know, we don’t have to antagonize anybody, or we don’t have to provoke anybody or anything like that. We’re here to just have fun and ride out,” said Shelbua, who welcomes new bikers with every event, including thirteen-year-old Romeo Lopez.

Sometimes you don’t know if you can make new friends,” said Lopez. New friends, maybe become part of a family that maybe only you can talk to instead of. Just like if your parents don’t want to talk to you, you have nobody. At least you could ride with them. Take your mind off of it.”

Shelbua is ready to go big this weekend in Hayward where he’s expecting up to 300 riders.