BikeAlameda's mission is to encourage everyday use of the bicycle in and around Alameda. Founded in 1999, BikeAlameda serves the community through education and services such as secure Valet Bike Parking at community events and its Bicycle and Walking Map of Alameda. BikeAlameda believes in safe streets, active, healthy citizens, and vibrant, walkable business districts and neighborhoods. We are a nonprofit 501(c)(3) California corporation.
See a powerpoint presentation of what BikeAlameda has done over the years and our plans (updated 11/3/2009) CASA Presentation
BikeAlameda was founded in 1999 by Alameda residents Lucy Gigli and Dan Wood, after the City of Alameda conducted public workshops to implement its Bicycle Master Plan. The co-founders realized that there were many active bicyclists in Alameda, but no real sense of community among them. While other cities have organized bicycling groups (clubs such as the Oakland Yellowjackets, and coalitions such as the San Francisco Bicycle Coalition), Alameda's bicyclists were (and in many ways still are) individuals who happen to bicycle, not in touch with other cyclists except for perhaps a passing "hello."
BikeAlameda's initial goal was to provide a community that Alameda bicyclists could belong to. We started with an e-mail discussion list, spreading the word about the group through personal contacts and flyers left on bicycles around town. We built our first web site to help people join the discussion list.
But then, as its most active members noticed that the city was not acting at all to implement any Bicycle Master Plan's short-term or long-term improvements to the bicycling infrastructure, the group started working toward pressuring the city to implementing the plan and taking bicycling seriously.
Eventually, this hard work started to pay off. The city hired staffers in the Public Works department whose job it is to get the Bicycle Master Plan implemented. BikeAlameda, together with Pedestrian-Friendly Alameda and Alameda Transit Advocates, formed the Alameda Transportation Coalition to serve as a unified voice advocating for better alternatives to the automobile. In 2002, the City adopted the Transportation Commission, a governing body to deal with transportation issues beyond just automobile needs.
In 2002, as a prelude to expanding its programs and influence, BikeAlameda became a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation.
2011 is the year that we can again begin working with the city to implement a new and i proved bike plan with great guidelines on HOW to implement new bikeways. The biking public wants safer ways to get around on bike and the number of biking public is increasing tremendously.
We are continuing to host bike education classes, bike to work day and our advocacy efforts for a new estuary crossing.
The great news is that we can spend that same amount of energy to teach bike safety classes and initiate other programs that overcome personal hurdles to riding.
Our goal remains the same. We believe that more people riding (and walking) around our island means safer streets, slower traffic, more thriving business districts and active, healthy citizens AND cleaner air.
Over the years, we have heard many comments as to why people are not biking. The streets are not safe. There are too many cars out on the road. I need to bring my children to school, day care, etc. I don't own a bike. Where would I put the groceries? Why people are uncomfortable biking one mile to work. We have suggestions to all these "dilemmas".
Contributing to an atmosphere where bicycling to get around the island is the norm. Safe and Easy and Convenient.