It’s been an epic decade for biking in the East Bay. From 2009-2019 we saw everything from the first protected bike lanes come in to more ways to bike along (and across!) the Bay and so much more. Take a ride down memory lane with us, and join us for even more visionary streets in the next decade!
Bridges
From bike access on the Benicia Bridge in 2009 to the brand new path on the Richmond-San Rafael Bridge in 2019, the last decade saw Bay-spanning paths come to fruition! The east span of the Bay Bridge opened in 2013, and our work continues advocating for the west span all the way to San Francisco. Bridge access for bicycle riders and pedestrians is critically important for a more connected Bay Area. Read our letter about how the latest path on the Richmond-San Rafael Bridge is about so much more than just the bridge.
Bikes on BART
Bike East Bay has been fighting for full bike access on BART since our foundation in 1972. Thanks to years of advocacy and hundreds of emails from Bike East Bay members, in November 2014 the BART Board unanimously voted to permanently allow full-time bike access on BART. From no bikes at all, at any time, through permits, black-out hours, trials, in 2014 we made it! We also worked on the implementation and design of improved bike parking on the existing and new BART cars, and petitioned for funding to support bike stations by Fruitvale and Downtown Berkeley BART.
One Billion for Bikes
In 2014, Alameda County voters passed a $7.8 billion plan to fund transportation improvements through 2045. This measure has helped to fund (and is still funding!) projects like:
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Lakeside cycle track at Lake Merritt
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Telegraph Avenue in North Oakland
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Dublin Boulevard
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Mission Boulevard in Hayward
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Segments of the Bay Trail, Iron Horse Trail, and East Bay Greenway
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Paving activity around Alameda County
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Bicycle education programs across Alameda County
On March 3, 2020 a similar ballot measure will go to residents of Contra Costa County—with a full 10% set aside for bicycle and pedestrian improvements. Sign up to get involved in the March 2020 campaign!
Local Advocates
Local advocacy groups are our key partners in realizing a bicycle friendly East Bay. Eight new local advocacy groups got their start in the past 10 years:
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Bike Walnut Creek (2012)
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Bike Concord (2014)
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Bike Pleasanton (2014)
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Bike Walk Eden (2016)
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Bike Dublin (2017)
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Walk Bike Berkeley (2018)
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Bike Pleasant Hill (2019)
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Bike Livermore (2019)
Local advocates reach beyond our networks to bring bicycle friendly streets to all corners of the East Bay. Each advocacy group works with local elected officials and other stakeholders. Local advocates, in partnership with Bike East Bay, work to make sure bike plans get approved, show up at city council, organize community members, and relentlessly reimagine their neighborhoods. Now, local groups represenent almost our entire region. Get connected with yours.
Trail Expansion
Paths on bridges aren’t the only extensions of the Bay Trail we’re celebrating. The planned 500 mile loop around the Bay is 355 miles completed, and Bike East Bay has worked advocating for important bike network connections, including the Bay Trail’s first protected intersection completed in 2018.
Further inland, the Iron Horse Trail stretches 32 miles between Contra Costa and Alameda counties. In 2014, the trail was connected to Dublin/Pleasanton BART and, in 2016 community advocates organized to build the Tri-Valley’s first protected intersection, a critical improvement for connectivity along the trail.
Bike Education
Bike East Bay has been offering free bicycle education classes since 2001. In the last eight years alone we’ve had 20,000 participants at more than 1,000 free classes. Our classes are offered in 30 cities and are taught in four languages. We’ve also trained dozens of bicycle education instructors who teach in communities across the East Bay.
Protected Bike Lane Boom
The first protected bike lane arrived in the East Bay in 2009, and protected networks are now growing in nine cities cities across the East Bay. More protected bike lanes means space that is accessible for riders of all ages and abilities. Cities are coming on board, and we’re ready to roll out even more connected protected networks in the next decade.
From Quick-Builds and Pop-Ups to Permanent
Improved connections and protected bikeways sprouted across the East Bay over the last decade—and, in some cases, they popped up overnight. Successful pop-up protected bikeway demonstrations on Telegraph Avenue (Bike to Work Day 2014), Milvia Street (Bike to Work Day 2015), Hearst Avenue (Berkeley Open Streets 2015), Lincoln Avenue in Walnut Creek (Bike to Work Day 2019), have all led to permanent improvements built in recent years or approved for construction soon.
The Biggest Biking Day of the Year
Pop-up bike lanes and open streets days are the perfect way to imagine what people-first streets look like—and there’s one day every year when the entire Bay Area comes out to celebrate: Bike to Work Day. Now, Bike to Work Day has been celebrated in the Bay Area for more than 25 years, but in the past ten years riders celebrating has exploded: from around 65,000 in 2013 to more than 140,000 in recent years. Save the date for Bike to Work Day 2020: May 14!
Thousands Strong
Last but not least, looking back on the last 10 years, it’s our members we want to celebrate! Our 4,000+ dedicated members and thousands of volunteers help make our work a reality. From setting up pop-up bike lanes in the wee hours of the morning to staying up late to speak at city council meetings—we couldn’t do it without you! Your support will bring visionary changes to streets across the East Bay in the next 10 years—and we are so glad you be riding with you.
Want to support people-first streets in 2020 and beyond? Become a member or donate today.