My name is Kyle VanderBeek and I reside at 8xx Vermont Street, the last turn on the curvy portion of Vermont Street in Potrero Hill. I am writing this letter to express my support for the Bring Your Own Big Wheel (BYOBW) event being considered for April 4, 2010.

I moved into my current apartment just before the BYOBW event in 2008. When I heard it was happening, I was incredibly pleased and decided to turn it into an opportunity to gather with my friends. These events transform an otherwise normal Sunday into a time of celebration and community. I get to make food, be a host, and join my friends on the balcony to watch the spectacle. Many of us also choose to participate in what is truly a uniquely San Francisco experience; one that is family-friendly, joyous, and wacky.

I have enjoyed BYOBW for the last two years, and am encouraged by the additional organizational efforts being put forth this year (including more portable restroom facilities and monitors along the course). It has always been a low impact event, and I anticipate that being true this year as well.

As a directly-impacted neighbor, I urge the City of San Francisco to allow this annual event to continue and by doing so support the right of the people to assemble and be silly.

Thank you.

I really hope everything goes well. I can’t wait to throw a party!

Basically, it’s another event for adults to behave badly and generally act like children (all in the name of fun). I’d bet more than a thousand people showed up to roll down the very-twisty Vermont Street, ending right in front of my house. People wore costumes, had customized big wheels, and generally had a jolly time for around an hour with 3 official runs and a couple extra “unsanctioned” rides.

As you can tell from the audio on the video, we had a blast watching. The majority of the giggle-track comes from AX, who is always in a good mood these days. I just can’t believe my luck in my recent apartment move; this is precisely the sort of thing I wanted to do and see in the city, and this event was delivered right to my front door.

Special thanks to everyone who organized, participated, and watched: it was a great event, and the effect on the foliage and street was nominal. Nobody really made a mess or did any damage (excepting, of course, a bunch of self-inflicted bodily harm). Several people stuck around to pick up shards of plastic and a few bits of litter, and that was very cool of them.

We had a blast watching you all!