Bike the Vote
Help win a more bike-friendly Bay Area this election season.
This November’s election will be critical for protecting the future of safe and equitable mobility both here in the Bay Area and across the state.
Researching the issues and voting is very important, but you also have opportunities to shape outcomes by getting involved in volunteer campaign activities now!
The Regional Transit Measure (RTM) is a five-county effort to save public transit in the Bay Area from devastating service cuts and station closures.
Bike East Bay has endorsed this measure along with hundreds of local elected officials, labor and business organizations, as well as non-profits community advocacy groups all asking you to VOTE YES ON MEASURE RTM.
People will be casting their ballots as early as October 6, so your volunteer help is needed now! Here are some resources:
Bike East Bay is opposing two state propositions on the ballot this year, and asking people to vote “no” on each of them:
- Proposition 43 (VOTE NO, more info here)
If Prop 43 is passed, a 2/3rds (66.667%) supermajority of voter support will be required to pass any special tax increase vote going to specific expenditures.
It removes the current 50%+1 simple majority threshold option for citizen-led ballot measures. This was used to pass Berkeley’s recent Measure FF paving and traffic safety initiative, but Prop 43 would make most similar efforts impossible in the future.
- Proposition 45 (VOTE NO, more info here)
Prop 45 purports to streamline state environmental reviews (CEQA) and speed up project implementation. But its application includes enabling destructive and regressive projects like freeway widenings.
Bike, walk, and transit projects already have categorical CEQA exemptions statewide, so this proposition will not help sustainable transportation.
City-specific measures to raise funding for street paving and other infrastructure needs are on the ballot for several East Bay jurisdictions this year.
Check back here soon for info on Bike East Bay’s official positions or endorsements.
As a 501(c)3 non-profit, Bike East Bay is not allowed to endorse individual candidates. But we can promote and host forums, allowing all candidates an opportunity to answer questions and share their positions on various topics, to help inform your vote.
Reference the calendar below for upcoming events, and check back at this space soon for candidate questionnaires and other resources.
Past events:
Regional Transit Measure (Measure RTM)
In 1972 Bike East Bay (then the East Bay Bicycle Coalition) was founded with a goal of getting access on the BART system, which initially banned bikes when it first opened.
40 years later we finally won all-hours bicycle access on BART, but also bike access for no additional charge on every other public transit system across the East Bay, including for e-bikes.
Bikes + transit has always been an essential part of our vision for an equitable and sustainable East Bay. But this vision is now under severe threat due to an impending fiscal cliff affecting all the transit providers in our region.
Without Measure RTM’s operations funding, the Bay Area will face a true emergency:
BART will close 15 stations, shut down two lines, and cut train service by 70%.
Caltrain would run only once per hour, end service by 9 p.m. on weekdays, and eliminate all weekend service
Muni will cut services by at least 30%, cancel at least 20 bus routes, end regular evening service, and cut cable car service.
A regional transit ballot measure to reimagine and reinvest in A system that serves today's riders and inspires a new generation
Includes 5 Bay Area Counties: Alameda, Contra Costa, San Francisco, San Mateo, and Santa Clara
Half cent sales tax all counties except 1 cent in San Francisco for 14 year duration
Averts catastrophic service cuts for the largest operators, many facing fiscal cliffs: BART, Muni, Caltrain, AC Transit
Funds transit improvements to safety, cleanliness, convenience, and seamless integration of transit services
Provides roughly $1B a year in new funding for transit throughout the Bay Area
Additional funds for capital projects within specific counties: Alameda, Contra Costa, San Francisco, San Mateo, and Santa Clara
Our public transit connects people to jobs, schools, healthcare, and to one another. It keeps our neighborhoods vibrant, our economy moving, and our climate goals within reach.
Upcoming Events
Stay informed and involved by joining a campaign outreach event or candidate forum!
Additional events will be posted here up until election day on November 3rd:
Events
List of events in Photo View
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Regional Transit Measure Day of Action: BART Crawl Starting in Oakland
Featured -Advocacy Opportunities -
Regional Transit Measure Day of Action: BART Crawl Starting in Orinda
Featured -Advocacy Opportunities -
