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. 

Valencia Street Parklets

Today, I went on a SPUR-led walking tour of some "parklets" along the Valencia Street Corridor.  It was fascinating to listen to the designers of the parklets, the owners of the parklets and the city planner who manages the program for the city.  It is absolutely amazing and incredibly wonderful that the city has embraced the concept of a mini-park in place of a previously held parking spot for a car.  What was once a one day event - PARKing Day - now becomes a more permanent establishment in the daily lives of neighbors, business owners, customers and other city-folk.  The citizens of SF really are instigators and bringers of change.  This is such an awesome idea.  I'm so happy that so many people in SF are working toward creating a better, more livable city.

Here's a map of the city's current & planned parklets:
SF Parklets

For more info, visit these:
Walklet
Rebar
SPUR
Pavement to Parks Program (SF Planning Dept)