California State University - Chico is here and about 17,000 people go to the school. There are always lots of kids riding bikes all over town and the bike racks are outside of most of the local businesses. During the summer months the town of Chico quiets down, since many of the college students leave for the summer. But every August the students return and the traffic in town increases, along with the number of bikes on the road and the sounds of youth.

Chico has a population of over 79,000. Founded in 1860 by General John Bidwell, Chico has become the shopping hub for the entire North Valley. There are major shopping centers in the Downtown Chico area, the Chico Mall section and surrounding shopping areas, as well as the North Valley Plaza shopping area.