2024 General Elections Roundup
Like many of you, our staff has been navigating grief, frustration, and anger the past week as national election results have rolled in. Under a Trump administration, we are bracing for an uptick in harmful attacks on BIPOC, queer, and immigrant communities, and destructive environmental policies that will increase Americans’ dependencies on cars and fossil fuels.
During times like these, we find strength knowing that there are countless people and organizations committed to building solutions that center the safety and care of our communities. Nobody knows our streets better than those of us who walk, bike and roll through them on a regular basis, and we will continue to work in solidarity with all those who share a vision for safe, thriving streets.
On a local level, we saw many transportation issues on our ballots this year. Though votes are still being tallied, we’re finding solace and hope in the groundswell of support for measures we endorsed that will bring smoother streets and bike/walk safety upgrades.
Safe Complete Streets Win in Berkeley
With the disappointments of the delay of the Hopkins Bike lane and the failure of the previous measure to pass, Berkeley advocacy and community members mobilized and organized a diverse coalition to run it back and make safe streets happen and it worked!
Through the current results, not only is Measure FF passing, it is outpacing the competing Measure EE.
This would provide over $100 million for street paving and sidewalk repair, a funding level the City determined is critical to maintain and improve the safety of our streets and sidewalks.
Additionally, it would guarantee over $50 million for citywide safety improvements, including Safe Routes to Schools projects, better street lighting, improved visibility at intersections, and faster emergency response times. This is essential as when we fix our streets we want to make them better than what they were before ensuring all Berkeley community members have the freedom to move safely whether it’s by foot, by bike, by bus or even by car.
More good news: The momentum carried across the East Bay.
- In Albany, voters renewed the sidewalk repair fund with Measure C.
- In Hayward, Measure K1 is set to pass. This is a renewal of a sale that goes to the general fund supporting public works with street paving and bikeway upgrades, such as the recently separated bikeway on Tennyson.
- In Lafayette, Measure H is set to pass, a sales tax that would raise $2.4 M to the general fund supported projects such as street maintenance, pothole repairs, as well as traffic safety improvements to all road users including walking and biking.
- In Newark, Measure LL is set to pass, increasing the existing transient occupancy tax. This would raise $2.1M for the general fund supporting projects such as street and pothole repair. Newark just implemented their first separated bikeways and are developing a new walk and bike plan, so these funds would be essential in bringing that vision to realization.
- In Pinole, Measure I is set to pass, raising $2.5M to the general fund through a sales tax increase. Pinole is working on with first-ever bike plan and this funding could be important for its implementation.
- In San Ramon, Measure N, a sales tax increase for 10 years, is set to pass. This would provide $15.7 M to the general fund with street repair, and street improvements as possible projects.
- In Union City, Measure QQ is set to pass, this would raise $3.5M to the general fund through a gross receipts tax.Union city has just started construction on its first separated bikeway and we are hopeful that more coordination and projects will expand with this funding.
More work to do in Pleasanton, and Prop 5 likely won’t pass
- Unfortunately, measure PP in Pleasanton is not expected to pass. This revenue would have been for projects such as pothole repair, street maintenance and pedestrian safety.
- Prop 5 – The state proposition that would lower the voter threshold for local infrastructure bonds to 55% is not currently expected to pass.
It’s a challenging time, but we’re seeing that people care for safe streets and for each other. Though the next 4 years will be even tougher, together, we will shape communities that are sustainable, inclusive and accessible. We will continue to track results as the final votes roll in, but overall we’re feeling hopeful and ready to continue our work.