BikeAlameda

New Biking and Walking Map Coming Soon!

BikeAlameda has embarked on a revision of our popular bike map. Over the last six years, we have relied on our map to get the word out about bike lanes and paths. It is by far the best all round map of Alameda - not just my word! The map spreads the word about BikeAlameda, too. And hopefully gets new riders out on the road in comfortable spaces and experienced riders trying new routes

The first printing was in 2004, then 2005, then 2007. There have been a few changes on the roadways since then. We have over ten "scouts" out on the roadways during the month of August. These scouts are checking out all the nooks and crannies of Alameda looking for what has changed and noting them. All those notations will go back to our awesome cartographer, Joan. She will be meshing and mushing that data together into a brand new bike map.

Bike To Work Day in Alameda is brought to you by BikeAlameda!

Bike To Work Day is Thursday, May 13, 2010

This year has more events than ever.

BikeAlameda on panel for Missing Links Forum

The American Institute of Architects (AIA) sponsored an event on February 24, that focused on issues and proposals to the problems in crossing the estuary. It was an interesting evening.

BikeAlameda Planning Retreat Summary

Bikealameda planning retreat on Saturday, February 6 was well attended and fruitful. Over 20 people met at the Aoelian Yacht Club to discuss last year's financial status, this year's budget and brainstorm new projects and programs for this year.

In addition to board members, many BA members showed up to brainstorm programs and projects for 2010. In the early morning board members discussed the 2009 financial year. The we went to a larger room to write down the list of projects amd programs that BA worked on last year. Items participants indicated as current BA programs were listed on flip charts. After the ideas were written up we had two separate break-out sessions where groups of two to eight people discussed their preferred projects and tried to summarize their answers to three important questions:

What is the goal of the program/project?
What steps are needed (next steps)?
What groups will we work with?

BikeAlameda Offers Free Teen/Adult Urban Biking Safety Classes

Want to tune up your urban biking skills? Attend one of BikeAlameda's Free Day 1 Bicycling Classes for teens and adults.

Biking? Take the survey

Help us make biking better in Alameda. Give us a piece of your mind. Please take two minutes to complete our online survey.

In 2001, BikeAlameda issued a survey to get a feel for what was important to Alamedans. Our mission is to encourage everyday use of the bicycle in and around Alameda. So we wanted to know what changes could be done to encourage Alamedans.

We'd like to get an update on how you feel about biking in Alameda. What encourages you to bike? If you don't bike already, what could encourage you to start? If you already ride a little, what would encourage you to ride one more day a week?

TAKE THE SURVEY.

November 5th Town Hall Meeting - please join us!!

CASA TOWN HALL �CELEBRATE, CHALENGE, CHAMPION� on THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 5TH 6:30 � 8:30PM at INDEPENDENCE PLAZA COMMUNITY ROOM 703 ATLANTIC AVENUE (between Webster St. & Constitution Way

In 2008 the City of Alameda adopted a Local Plan for Climate Protection, the goal of which is to:

TO REDUCE ALAMEDA�S CARBON EMISSIONS TO 25% BELOW 2005 LEVELS BY THE YEAR 2020

In September 2008 CASA (Community Action for a Sustainable Alameda) was formed to help achieve that goal and to fulfill one of the top 7 goals of the Local Plan for Climate Protection which was to:

�DEVELOP A MULTI-FACETED COMMUNITY OUTREACH PROGRAM TO INCREASE PUBLIC AWARENESS AND PARTICIPATION IN GREENHOUSE GAS REDUCTIONS�

BikeAlameda Founders to be Honored

On Thursday, November 5 at 6:00pm at Rhythmix Cultural Works in Alameda an event will be taking place to honor several Alamedans who go above and beyond the call of duty for the children in our community. Among those being honored are two people who are near and dear to us - our very own Lucy Gigli and Dan Wood on behalf of BikeAlameda. We would be so grateful if you were able to join us the night of the event to support and toast these two. They truly deserve it.

Lock it or Lose It! Share Your Thoughts

In mid October, Lucy and I met with Officer Jill Ottaviano of the Alameda Police Department regarding the sharp increase in bicycle thefts. In 2008, a total of 192 bicycles were stolen. As of mid-October, 334 bicycles have been stolen. This represents a 75% increase over 2008, and there is still two and a half months left in the year. The data shows that the bike racks in the civic center parking structure on Oak Street (21 thefts) and Towne Centre (35 thefts primarily from the Safeway and Borders locations) are the most popular locations. The remaining thefts occurred from other places through the city including residential porches and backyards. Often more than one bike is stolen at a time. One shocking statistic is that of the incidents 90 were for unlocked bikes.

Estuary Crossing Feasibility Study Accepted

As you may have heard, Alameda's city council recently accepted the Estuary Crossing Feasibility Study. Appetites for spending money on anything are very small right now, however, and that was reflected clearly in this meeting. Despite that, we're happy the study is now complete and accepted, and we have direction going forward.

The bridge is the long-term recommended alternative, but it is highly constrained by a number of factors, mostly related to the presence of the Coast Guard further up the estuary.

We'll be focusing mostly on the study's actionable recommendations -- the tube improvements and the water shuttle -- in the months ahead. We'll keep you posted.

BikeAlameda�s Kidical Mass Saturday, September 19th, 9am-11:30am

Come out with your kids or come and volunteer to help

Kidical Mass is a legal, safe, free and FUN bike ride for kids, and their families. All types of bikes, trailers, trail-a-bikes, Xtracycles, tandems, folders, skuuts, trikes, and whatever rolls are welcome! For family fun on vehicles that don�t hurt the future!

Meet at Alameda Towne Centre parking lot next to McDonald's on Saturday Sept.19th.

9:00 Check in, 9:30 bike safety demonstrations, 10:00 Ride starts

11:00 Steel drum band concert, face painting and balloons provided by Alameda Towne Centre

Better Bike Parking in Park Street

Park you bike in a safe and secure bike locker when you are near the Park Street district. leave your helmet and bike gear safe, too.

The bike lockers are in the back of the Civic Center parking garage at Oak and Central. Putting your bike in a locker, keeps it and your accessories safe. You can buy an electronic key card at Alameda bicycle or at www.bikelink.org. You will need one card per locker. Two kids bikes, might fit in one locker. Each card costs $20 and gives you $20 credit. However, the parking is free for the first five hours, and only $.05 after. There is also a video to show you how to use the locker

BikeAlameda Offers Free Urban Biking Safety Classes

Want to tune up your urban biking skills? Attend one of BikeAlameda's Free Bicycling Classes.

BikeAlameda Celebrates Ten Anniversary with a Smashing Volunteer Party

In 1999, BikeAlameda founders started a discussion email list to gather ideas to help the city implement its newly adopted Master Bicycle Plan. So much has been done, yet there is still a lot left to do.

We celebrated our 10th Anniversary on Monday, June 29 with a volunteer party. More than 20 people gathered to eat, drink and share ideas. Lasagne, sushi, black bean soup, a wonderful bicycle cake and many other savory items were shared.

How few miles do you think you can drive in one month?

We want you to join Bike Alameda in taking the Car-Free Challenge in June to find out! We are putting together a team of folks like you who are setting and reaching personal low mileage goals for the month of June (some are going entirely car-free, others are just trying to drive a little less).

Together we will send a message to our leaders that we need better walking, biking, and transit options in order to fight climate change and make our communities better places to live.

Estuary Crossing Feasibility Study gets Transportation Commission Thumbs Up

Alameda is one small step closer to a solution to a west end estuary crossing. Last Wednesday evening, the City of Alameda Transportation Commission voted to ask the City Council to accept the Estuary Crossing Feasibility Study. See our web page for a copy of the study: http://www.bikealameda.org/advocacy/estuarycrossing/

The next step is for the City Council to approve the feasibility study, then city staff can begin to pursue the preferred alternatives.

The recommendations are a little different, than what we thought they would be. Costs in the final draft were higher for the bridge options and the size and length of the bridge turned out to be more daunting than first thought.

May 16 2009 Day 2 Bike Class Success!

by Joyce Mercado

In May about 25 eager bicyclists participated in the Day 2 On the Road Class, which BikeAlameda held at the Alameda Point Collaborative.

Jason Agar was the lead instructor again, however a whole team of League Certified Instructors (LCIs) were required for this event. Jason and our own Bonnie Wehmann (newly certified), mapped out an extensive course which provided an excellent mix of riding experiences, ranging from relatively quiet streets out at Alameda Point, to busy residential streets with complex intersections, to four way traffic streets including Main, Webster and Atlantic and a brief tour through the College of Alameda to gain experience interacting with pedestrians.

Bike To Work Day 2009!

Bike To Work Day was a great success! Bike commuter totals from this morning are as follows: Bay Farm Bridge 290 City Hall 135 Harbor Bay Ferry 28 Main St. Ferry 115 For a grand total of 568 cyclists biking to work today!

For Alameda picture, check out bikealameda's Facebook page.

A big thank you to all 30 volunteers and to Alameda Bicycle for their City Hall bike checks, Dan's Produce for oranges and Peet's Coffee, Safeway and Chipotle for their local donations.

Jamba Juice Fundraiser for Bike To Work Week

Jamba Juice in Alameda Towne Centre is running a fundraising special for BikeAlameda starting May 11 thru May 17.

Use a flier on the bulletin board when you order at Jamba Juice and they will donate 20% of the cost of your order to BikeAlameda. It costs you nothing extra and you support BikeAlameda.

So, go out and treat yourself to a Jamba Juice, bring the flier and feel good about supporting your local biking community!

Alameda County Active Transportation Forum & Open House

BikeAlameda supports the effort to get $50 million in federal funds for active transportatio in Alameda County.

Alameda County Active Transportation Forum & Open House � April 16, Dublin. Join Rails-to-Trails Conservancy and ACTIA to learn more about the 2010 Campaign for Active Transportation to bring $50 million for active transportation including the Iron Horse Trail, Safe Routes to Schools, and access to transit for seniors. Thursday, April 16, 2009 from 6:30-8:30pm at Dublin City Hall.

Directions/information: click here; Info about the Active Transportation Campaign: www.railstotrails.org/2010 or call Rails-to-Trails at 415-814-1100.