Public transit is the backbone of the East Bay. Given how vast our region is, many folks find the most efficient way to navigate the Bay Area is by pairing a bike with a bus or train. Whether you own a car or not, having reliable transit provides alternatives to high-stress commutes or congested freeways. The benefits of a robust system means fewer cars on the road, which helps everybody get where they need more smoothly. At Bike East Bay, our mission is to build thriving, safe, and inclusive communities, and that vision is inextricably linked to the health of our transit systems.
Earlier this year, Bike East Bay endorsed the Connect Bay Area transit funding measure, and since then our team and community has been organizing to get the measure on the November ballot. We have been recruiting volunteers to gather signatures for the measure, and our office is a hub where volunteers can pick up petitions, get their questions answered, and have already turned in thousands of signatures. Once it qualifies, we will activate our members to campaign to pass the measure.
Avoiding a Transit Death Spiral
The urgency of the Connect Bay Area measure cannot be overstated. Currently, our transit agencies are facing a fiscal disaster. Without this funding, next year:
- BART will cut service by 70%,close 15 stations, and shut down two lines
- AC Transit will cut its already reduced service significantly
- Caltrain would only run once per hour, and end service on weekends and after 9pm
- Muni will cut services by at least 30% and cancel at least 20 bus routes
If this measure fails, thousands of commuters will be forced back into cars, which means more traffic congestion, traffic violence, and irreversible pollution for everybody. Folks without access to cars will have to endure long waits and unreliable service. The quality of life will be worse for everyone.
Bike East Bay believes in a transportation future where owning and maintaining a car is not a prerequisite to moving around the East Bay with freedom. We want to see a system that is safer, cleaner, and more seamlessly integrated than what currently exists. This is a critical step toward mobility justice. We believe people should have as many choices as possible to reach their destinations without stress, risk, or price barriers. To reach that vision, we must invest in reliable transit and provide alternatives to car dependency– particularly for underserved communities that currently bear the brunt of disconnected systems and traffic pollution.
The Connect Bay Area measure gives us that path forward, and helps us reach California’s climate goals. By providing a stable funding stream through a regional sales tax, we aren’t just fixing what’s broken, we’re finally building the world-class, sustainable transit system our region deserves.
We’re proud to endorse the Connect Bay Area transit measure, and between now and November, we’re hitting the ground to ensure this transformative transit vision becomes a reality.
Take action: Join the Movement
We need the Bike East Bay community to help us secure this connected future. Here is how you can help today:
- Sign the petition! Find a volunteer collecting signatures, or stop by our office in Jack London Square on Tuesdays & Wednesdays to sign.
- Tell your friends about the measure. Word of mouth helps people understand what’s at stake, and may encourage them to sign when they come across a petitioner.
- Volunteer to collect signatures: you only need to be 18 years old! Get trained and join the campaign at ConnectBayArea.com. And then pick up and turn in signatures at our office.