OAKLAND, Calif. — Hundreds of cyclists ranging in age from elementary-age students to seniors rode their bikes Saturday to honor the life of Alex Pretti, the Minnesota man who was killed Jan. 24 by federal agents in Minneapolis.
The death of Pretti — a VA nurse and avid biker — has rippled throughout the cycling world. The 37-year-old was eulogized (opens in new tab) by online cycling and bikepacking communities, which cater to those who combine biking with camping and other outdoor adventures.
Oakland’s ride, which sometimes stretched for blocks at a time, slowly rolled from the Rockridge BART station via Berkeley to the Fruitvale BART station, a total of around 14 miles. This ride was just one of hundreds of similar gatherings that took place Saturday throughout the United States and around the world.
One person in attendance in Oakland was Alex Keilty, who said he lives just a mile from Angry Catfish — a Minneapolis bike shop frequented by Pretti.
“We’re both teary eyed to see how many people showed up at the BART station,” Keilty said, noting that his wife Marisa, who was also in attendance and was recently detained by ICE.
“We’re so touched. We hope Minneapolis sees these images. We hope Minnesota sees and feels the warmth of solidarity, and sees people who are angry enough to interrupt their regular programming [to come out].”
According to a Bikepacking.com (opens in new tab) map, hundreds of memorial rides took place, including some as far away as Australia and Norway. In Northern California, nine rides were scheduled, including events in San Francisco and Oakland.
Another cyclist, Marty, who declined to give a last name, said that as a Filipino-American, it was essential for him to be there.
“Being from an immigrant family and the first-gen born here, it was very important [to be here,]” he said. “You know, I don’t want my family to just get shot out of nowhere for something they didn’t do, because they didn’t show papers, because they’re brown, you know?”
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A cyclist in a checkered jersey passes by the Grand Lake Theater during a bike ride in honor of Alex Pretti on Saturday, Jan. 31, 2026. | Source: Jungho Kim for The Standard
At times, the group of hundreds of cyclists stretched for blocks and temporarily blocked traffic, as seen here in downtown Oakland during the Jan 31, 2026 ride. | Source: Jungho Kim for The Standard
Many of the cyclists who came out to remember Pretti during the Jan 31, 2026 ride carried signs like this one, acknowledging his death and also the death of Renee Good, another Minnesotan who was shot by federal agents earlier this month. | Source: Jungho Kim for The Standard
Hundreds of cyclists rode from the Rockridge BART station in North Oakland through Berkeley and then eventually reached the Fruitvale BART station in East Oakland. | Source: Jungho Kim for The Standard
A bike wheel with “No Ice” written on it waits to be ridden before a bike ride in remembrance of Alex Pretti in Oakland on Saturday, Jan. 31, 2026. | Source: Jungho Kim for The Standard
Charlie Huizenga, of Berkeley, wears a sign on his helmet before a bike ride in remembrance of Alex Pretti and Renee Good, at the Rockridge BART station in Oakland on Saturday, Jan. 31, 2026. | Source: Jungho Kim for The Standard
Cyclists embark on a 14-mile bike ride in remembrance of Alex Pretti who was killed by Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents during operations in Minneapolis at Rockridge BART in Oakland on Saturday, Jan. 31, 2026. | Source: Jungho Kim for The Standard
On Friday, U.S. Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche announced (opens in new tab) that the Department of Justice would be launching an investigation into the circumstances surrounding Pretti’s death.
“We’re looking at everything that would shed light on what happened that day and in the days and weeks leading up to what happened,” Blanche said during a press conference in Washington, D.C.
Multiple cycling entities, from his home bike shop in Minneapolis to online cycling communities that he was part of, have spoken out in his memory.
“Alex was a reader of this site, a longtime member of the Bikepacking Collective, and part of our community,” Lucas Winzenburg, a Bikepacking.com (opens in new tab) editor wrote Jan. 25. “He was kind, compassionate, and a good friend and neighbor to many.”
The Marin County Bicycle Coalition noted (opens in new tab) on its website that it had heard from Bay Area cyclists who have been emotionally affected by Pretti’s death.
“These rides are a powerful reminder of our collective strength and compassion as we support each other in our grief and continue pushing forward in pursuit of change,” wrote Jenny Oh, communications manager at the MCBC.