San Jose

On Tuesday, May 15, San Jose, the Capital of Silicon Valley, will host the Stage 3 Start of the 2012 Amgen Tour of California—welcoming back, for the seventh year in a row, the world's elite cyclists.

May 15 will help add another page to San Jose's long cycling history. With its population of more than one million, San Jose has grown over its 235 year existence to the 10th largest city in the U.S., the largest city in Northern California and the world's leading center of innovation. The City has been vital to the sport of cycling ever since one of the world's first pedal bicycles was engineered there; its first local bicycle club was formed back in 1884. 38,000 bike commuters utilize more than 150 miles of on-street bikeways, which led the city to garnering a National Bicycle Friendly Community Award from the League of American Bicyclists. Home to one of only 19 velodromes in the U.S., San Jose is an epicenter of cycling in the San Francisco Bay Area and thus part of the largest cycling community in North America.

With San Jose Sports Authority Executive Director Patricia Ernstrom and Carl Guardino, President & CEO, Silicon Valley Leadership Group serving as Local Organizing Committee Co-Chairs, the 2012 Amgen Tour of California, provides a platform to raise awareness about green mobility, San Jose’s Green Vision, and the benefits of a healthy and active lifestyle. Cycling plays a significant part in making this happen. San Jose offers ongoing bike commuting classes to ensure all have access to key safety training and help transition commuters from cars to bikes. The City is in the midst of expanding its bikeways, including a network of trail systems, allowing residents to travel more easily by bicycle, as well as encourage exploration and education about our natural habitat so residents better understand the benefits of a healthy environment and value its preservation.

The Silicon Valley Leadership Group, a public policy association with 340-member Silicon Valley companies, believes that bicycling is a key component to solving our region's transportation problems, as well as increasing the health and quality of life of the residents in its communities. The Leadership Group promotes bike commuting among Silicon Valley employers, advocates for bike-friendly infrastructure and policies locally, statewide and at the federal level, and works to facilitate biking through cultural change. For more information, visit, www.svlg.org

"San Jose is truly honored to host the Amgen Tour of California for the seventh consecutive year. The Sports Authority – the sports commission for the City of San Jose – is proud to partner with the Silicon Valley Leadership Group to welcome the tour back for another successful stage in the Capital of Silicon Valley. A frequent destination for world-class sporting events, San Jose is excited to be part of America’s premier cycling event again in 2012.  We look forward to seeing you in San Jose!"



"When it comes to the best cyclists on the planet, we are proud to say that the Amgen Tour of California knows the way to San Jose," said Carl Guardino, President & CEO, Silicon Valley Leadership Group. "For seven years running, the Tour of California has selected San Jose for one of its prestigious stages in the biggest sporting event in the Golden State, with more than 2 million fans lining highways and biways throughout the state."

"Silicon Valley, the Innovation Capital of the world, is proud to host the world's best cyclists."




Planning a visit to San Jose to experience the Amgen Tour of California? Our convention and visitors bureau is here to help. www.sanjose.org

For more information about cycling in San Jose and throughout the region, the Silicon Valley Bicycle Coalition has handy information about a wide array of bike trails and programs. bikesiliconvalley.org

Want to learn more about San Jose's exciting plans to expand cycling accessibility for all? Check out the San Jose Department of Transportation's Bicycle and Pedestrian site to find out why this city is a perfect cycling destination. www.sanjoseca.gov/transportation/bikeped/bikeped_program.asp