This is an update on our “Lake Merritt Loop” campaign, envisioning a 2-way protected cycletrack all the way around Lake Merritt in Oakland, along with connecting routes serving neighbors from all parts of town.
To receive these types of updates directly by email, sign up for our campaign list at BikeEastBay.org/LML.
Lakeshore Cycletrack Construction Restarting 6/22/2026
Construction on the Lakeshore Ave cycletrack on the east side of Lake Merritt between El Embarcadero and E 18th St started last year, but then stalled due to technical complications.
So we are very happy to share that the work is re-starting as of this week, to continue through the end of 2026. However, Oakland DOT staff have let us know that there will be access impacts for the weeks of June 22 and July 6, so please check out the city’s landing page here for complete details.
The impacts include closing the existing Lakeshore Ave painted bike lanes in both directions temporarily, to allow for paving and protected bikeway construction.
Bicyclists are allowed to use the shared-use pathway along the lake instead. But please go slow, yield to pedestrians and pass with care.
Monthly Community Bike Rides at the Lake
Our next “Slowkland” group ride to check out the construction progress around Lake Merritt is scheduled for Tuesday, 6/30/2026, starting 5:30pm from Lake Merritt BART.
These monthly rides have been a lot of fun, and a great way to stay up to date with the lake loop construction progress. On this June ride we will be able to see the work underway on Lakeshore, and updates on a number of connector route projects (details below).
Please RSVP here and feel free to invite friends to come along!
Progress on Lake Merritt Connector Routes
In addition to the Lake Merritt loop, there are also multiple projects in the works connecting to it in each direction.
On the west side of the lake (photos above) this includes the 20th Street protected bikeway between Broadway and Harrison which is now bikeable and nearly complete, and the 14th Street protected bikeway between Brush St and Oak St which is coming together for completion later this year.
In addition, a new quick-build protected bikeway underway with paving now on Franklin St from 11th St to Broadway which will be done in a few months, connecting to both the 20th St and 14th St corridors.
On the east side of Lake Merritt a paving project in construction which will add traffic calming and other neighborhood bikeway upgrades on E 19th Street from Park Blvd to 13th Ave, and on 7th Ave from E 10th St to Park Blvd (details below).
Final design work is also underway now for the East Bay Greenway project which will add protected bikeways between Lake Merritt BART and Fruitvale along E 10th, E 8th, and E 12th Streets, to start construction in early 2027.
To learn about the East Bay Greenway visit our campaign page at BikeEastBay.org/EBG, and sign up for that notification list to receive more project updates.
To receive Lake Merritt Loop updates directly by email, sign up for our campaign list at BikeEastBay.org/LML or click the button below.