Traffic Calming Library

A “pop-up bikeway” is a one-day project using temporary materials, as a demonstration to help visitors visualize what’s possible with a space, what will fit, and to bring attention to street design opportunities.

Here is an article about an April 2025 pop-up Bike East Bay organized on Ninth Street in Berkeley, as an example.

Any East Bay (Contra Costa or Alameda County) community group may take advantage of this lending library.

You don’t need to have technical knowledge about street design.

We encourage community groups to involve youth in their pop-up project design and implementation, but the materials will only be loaned out to adults age 18 and up.

Our traffic calming library includes heavy duty materials like recycled rubber speed cushions, and plastic posts with curb bases for robust installations.

And there are lighter materials like traffic barrels, cones, and plastic chain that are easier to transport and set up.

We also have some data tools including radar devices for speed measurements, and window-mounted traffic counter devices.

A complete list with details is available below. We encourage groups to get creative in how they use the materials in combination.

The maximum loan time is two weeks, and the materials are intended for one-day demonstrations not extended pilot projects.

Exceptions to the two-week maximum may be provided upon special request.

The service is 100% free, using materials acquired via grant support from People For Bikes’ Local Investment Program and Bayer’s West Berkeley Community Resiliency Fund.

Groups that borrow materials are required to sign an agreement taking responsibility for any loss or damage beyond normal wear and tear.

Usually yes, or direct coordination with city staff or electeds to address these details for you.

Bike East Bay implemented our Berkeley Ninth Street pop-up using a simple block party permit for a residential street, which was low cost and involved minimal coordination with city staff.

However a pop-up on a busier street will likely require more coordination and complex permitting.

Community groups are encouraged to research these details before submitting a pop-up materials request.

Yes, the materials need to be picked up and dropped off by the group making the request.

The materials are kept at a storage space near the Bike East Bay office in Oakland’s Jack London Square. Once a request is submitted we will follow up to coordinate with you on when and where to pick up and drop off the materials.

Many of the materials can be transported via a cargo bike and/or trailer. However some of the more robust materials will likely require a car or van for transportation.