Bicycle Friendly Community

Oakland, CA | Bronze Level

Community Highlights: The City of Oakland’s Transportation Impact Study Guidelines require that all land use development projects related to traffic studies consider the needs of bicyclists. With that, the City of Oakland has installed combined bicycle lane/right-turn lanes at intersections, encouraging bicyclist positioning at the left edge of the right turn lane and reducing conflicts with right-turning vehicles. Oakland has installed four combined lanes and has two more pending construction. Oakland’s Bicycle & Pedestrian Facilities Program publishes the “I BIKE Oakland” biannual newsletter to report progress on implementing Oakland’s Bicycle Master Plan. The non-profit Cycles of Change educates school students in safe riding techniques through beginner’s urban riding courses and Safe Routes to School. After-school bike clubs at eight public schools give students a chance to practice these skills. Oakland community bike shops aim to reach underserved local residents, such as formerly homeless residents, through the earn-a-bike program, repair classes, tools and advice for people fixing bikes. The Crucible, a non-profit arts educations center, opens their studio to West Oakland youth and their families for Bike Fix-A-Thons eight times a year. Six-week Earn-A-Bike sessions pair local youth with volunteer bike mechanics to fix donated bikes. Graduates of the session can learn to fabricate and customize their own bicycle through the Youth Frame Alteration class.