We have prepared a safety flyer, "Bicycling in Alameda can be safe for the whole family", in
multiple languages, to reach as wide of a cross-section of Alamedans as possible.
Download one of these PDF documents and print out for your family, friends and
neighbors!
The Fruitvale Bike Station at the Fruitvale BART offers a secure facility to store bikes while commuting, and a full service repair station. Operated by The Unity Council and Alameda Bicycle, with funding from the City of Oakland, BART, and other organizations, the station grew out of a shared desire to make it easier and safer to bike and BART to work.
Bicycle parking is free; participants are simply required to fill out a one-time registration form. The station is open Monday through Friday 6:00am - 8:00pm, and is located just to the left of the Caesar Chavez Plaza entrance, within a hundred feet of the northeast BART exit.
For more information, check out the Fruitvale Bike Station area on the Alameda Bicycle site, or phone Alameda Bicycle at (510) 536-2200.
Do you live or work in Alameda?
Park your bike at Fruitvale BART?
Why not get a locker - its free!
With a small refundable deposit you, too, can have your very own bicycle locker at Fruitvale
station (Of course you may not need it once the bike station is open on October 2003).
Download Download the PDF application and fill it out to
reserve a locker today.
For more information, contact Barry Bergman of the City of Alameda Public Works Department
phone: 749-5916
email:
We're here to help you get where you need to go on your bicycle!
Please browse these useful resources using the menu list.
Getting Started...
So you'd like to start bicycling around town more, perhaps to run errands, meet a friend for lunch, do some bird watching along the water or even bike to work. One of the cool things about biking is most anyone can do it. You don't need to be a hard core athlete. Alameda is flat, thank goodness! Here are a few tips for getting started safely, to make biking your new healthy habit. Always check with your doctor before starting a new exercise routine.
Bike Safety Check and Tune-up - Take your bike to a local bike shop for a thorough safety check and tune-up if you aren't familiar with how to do one yourself.
Bike -If you dont own a bike, new ones can be purchased at one of the wonderful bike shops in town and used ones are available at the Changing Gears Community Bike Shop. See our checklist. for help in choosing a bike
Helmet - Make sure to get a new helmet rather than a used helmet to ensure it has no internal damage. Then wear it every time you ride, securely buckled under your chin. No more than 2 fingers should fit under the strap, the straps should form a "Y" shape under your ears, and once strapped you shouldn't be able to slide the helmet off your head.
Lock - An unlocked bike is very likely soon to be a stolen bike, even in Alameda.
Bell - They don't cost much and are worth it. Ring it and call out when you are passing someone. Calling out alone isn't nearly as effective. For some reason, people respond to the bell. A little tip, avoid selecting a very high pitch bell as that tends to be the first range lost when hearing loss occurs.
Bike Pump and Chain Lube - It's a lot more work to bike with poorly inflated tires. Invest in a decent pump and pick up a bottle of chain lube to clean and oil the chain and gears periodically with a rag.
Basket - To hold items start with a basket that attaches to the front of the bike. To hold more, install a rack on the back of the bike. There are a variety of panniers and other attachments you can hook onto the rack to hold items.
Pant Leg Strap - These are the little Velcro straps with reflective strips, you wrap around your right pants leg to prevent it from getting caught in the chain, and to keep it from getting gunk on it from the chain.
Re-usable Water Bottle - It's important to keep hydrated when exercising.
Note that if you join BikeAlameda you can get discounts at local bike shops. Join now.
Keep the Bike Handy - One key to making biking a new healthy habit, is to make hopping on the bike about as easy as jumping in the car. So keep the bike readily accessible with helmet, lock and pant leg strap stored in the basket.
Bike Safety - Obey all traffic laws for your own safety as well as the safety of others. Attend a bike safety class and/or read Bicycling Street Smarts
Clothing - Throw on a brightly colored wind breaker or vest to make it easier for drivers to see you.
Ask Dr. Sprocket - If you have any questions about biking, BikeAlameda experts are happy to help. Send Dr. Sprocket an E-mail!
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