In 2002, the East Bay Bicycle Coalition (EBBC) campaign slogan for Oakland’s Measure DD was to “replace the world’s shortest freeway.” Bicycle access and safety—to and around—Lake Merritt resonated with Oakland’s voters who overwhelmingly supported Measure DD with 80% approval at the polls.
Bicyclists celebrate the conversion of Lakeshore Ave, from El Embarcadero to E 18th St, from a forbidding street filled with dangerous potholes and speeding traffic, into a new route that all bicyclists can enjoy.
The recently completed repaving of Lakeshore Ave, along with new Lakeside Ave on-street bike lanes and multiuse pathways, point toward the next installment of Measure DD that will focus on 12th Street. The 12th St project promises to offer safe access for bicyclists and pedestrians between downtown Oakland and the Lakeshore neighborhood, and also remove the barrier that separates the Lakeshore neighborhood from the Lake Merritt BART Station.
Replacement of the 12-lanes on 12th St that cross the dam on Lake Merritt represented the signature project in the $198 million bond measure. Following dismissal of a lawsuit in 2007 that delayed the project, we are now seeing progress on building bicycle access around Oakland’s gem. Overall, the bond represents a good deal as it will leverage additional grants to complete over $360 million in projects.
Over $47 million of the bond money is allocated to this centerpiece 12th St project to reconnect Oakland while also adding 4-acres of park space adjacent to Lake Merritt. Park restoration and public access received the most attention of the Measure DD expenditure plan. This plan states: “Create park space and beach area along Lake Merritt’s south shore and redesign 12th Street to create safe pedestrian and bicycle access from Lake Merritt to Kaiser Convention Center and Channel Park.” Bids for the 12th St project are currently being reviewed by the City of Oakland.
To get to the adoption of the bond measure the current implementation of access and beautification projects was a long arduous effort by a broad coalition of organizations (see: Measure DD Timeline). Even after the adoption of Measure DD, advocates had to repeatedly defend the addition of bicycle lanes on Lakeshore Avenue.
Since adoption of the bond, Rick Rickard has represented EBBC on the Measure DD Community Coalition, a citizen group that meets with Oakland staff, led by Joel Peter, and City Council representatives to guard that Oakland deliver the promises made to the voters. The meetings are generally held on the third Monday at the Oakland Garden Center on Bellevue Avenue.
Haven’t ridden the new Lakeshore Bike Lanes? Take a Virtual ride:
The headphones I am wearing are for the microphone audio input for the video. I’m not listening to my iPod.
Download our Lakeshore Avenue Bike Lanes Press Release (1.2 MB)