Painting Green Bike Lanes in Oakland

Hopefully Oakland is heading toward a more just and sustainable transportation future...

Are green bike lanes the precursor of safer, better bike infrastructure?

Perhaps, yes.

These green painted portions of the bike lane are only in "conflict zones" in the Adam's Point/Lake Merritt area.  The image above is on Grand Avenue just past the Harrison Street intersection.  There is a wide right turn through lane, where cars barely have to slow down to veer right onto Grand Avenue. This type of cars-first infrastructure is common all over Oakland. This particular area here is a danger zone for both bicyclists and pedestrians. Even though there is a light, which apparently turns red on occasion for drivers, I rarely see it red. I both walk and ride my bike in this area on a daily basis. This can be a tricky area for bicyclists and pedestrians, and we often feel unsafe with cars barreling by us at unsafe (and illegal) speeds.  

Hopefully, this green bike lane paint will be one step (along with many others) to democratize our city streets. Everyone owns our streets. It's time that we all have access to our fair share of the street. People driving vehicles do not have any rights above those on foot or on bike. I hope that we will begin to see real design changes to our community infrastructure that make us ALL safer, happier and healthier. 

trucks in the bike lane...

The other day I was doing fieldwork on bicycle boulevards in Emeryville, and I noticed this truck parked in the bike lane.  The bike lane is not a parking lot for trucks, cars or other vehicles.  It always bothers me to see vehicles taking up this precious space, which is supposed to be a safe space for bicyclists.

Polk Street - Community Forum

It was interesting to go back to another community forum for the Polk Street project.  It'll be interesting to see how they work with the issue of potentially decreasing on-street parking so that the bike lane can extend throughout Polk (and not just be sporadic).  Personally, I don't feel safe biking on Polk Street unless the bike lane is there.  Car drivers are just too careless, speedy, and unconcerned for the well-being of pedestrians and bicyclists.  I prefer defined spaces for different users.

I'm also still concerned about public safety, especially in Lower Polk.  While an array of transportation enhancements are great for the community, I still believe that there needs to be broader police involvement in the neighborhood.  I would like to see police walking or biking up and down Polk Street to assist with maintaining a calm, pleasant atmosphere.  Otherwise, some of the drunk, drug-induced, or mentally challenged people create an inhospitable environment.  I do not want my neighborhood reduced to such a place.

Scene: Emeryville Street Art

The other day while I was doing some fieldwork for my job (walking the streets and marking where the City needs to put up the bicycle boulevard signage), I happened upon this great street art piece.  There are lovely little street art pieces around the city.  You just need to have your eyes focused on these little treasures.

Accidents Happen, Gatzby

If you haven't meandered around Emeryville in a while (or ever), I highly recommend a little jaunt around the cute, little off-the-beaten path streets in the heart of the City.  Get off the freeway on those hectic commutes home for a leisurely little walk, or hop on your bike on a lovely sunny Saturday and check it out.  I certainly enjoy my little walks every day, and I often happen upon little street art projects that make me smile.