Berner, I assume it was the EBBP you're speaking of, I know it well: East Bay Bike Path 24 hr. Ride. When I was doing that ride in complete darkness (for 10 hrs, on a Saturday night), I saw all sorts of stuff that could've caused a crash, mostly drunk kids, carrying open cases of beer, walking in groups across the full width of the path, or salmoning on skateboards, all with zero lights, other than the glow of cell phones. I can't imagine being on that trail, anywhere near Bristol, on the 4th!