Latest on the battle to save the Richmond-San Rafael bike path
As Streetsblog readers are surely aware, the car-brains never stop trying to close the cycle path on the Richmond-San Rafael Bridge. The Marin County Bicycle Coalition is amplifying two important dates related to the effort. From an MCBC release:
After months of waiting, we finally have details about when the future of the Richmond-San Rafael Bridge path will be decided. Two meetings, on January 16 and March 6, will be the times to speak up for preserving the Richmond-San Rafael Bridge pathway.
While the Richmond-San Rafael Bridge multiuse path is still open, the effort to close it to people biking and walking every Monday through Thursday continues, and the path’s fate will be decided in the next couple of months.
We need your voice to speak out to keep the Richmond-San Rafael Bridge pathway open 24/7.
On Thursday, January 16th, at 1 p.m., the board of the Bay Conservation and Development Commission (BCDC) will hold a workshop for board members to ask questions about the project.
The final decision will take place on Thursday, March 6th at 1 p.m. Please put both dates on your calendar. We need the users of the bridge to speak up in support of this critical pathway.
The push to close the bridge to bike commuters is mostly coming from Marin. As the MCBC points out in their post, to date, three East Bay cities (Richmond, Albany, and Berkeley) have passed formal resolutions in favor of a 24/7 pathway, as well as the West Contra Costa Transportation Commission (WCCTC). And over 3,000 individuals have signed a petition supporting a 24/7 pathway, and over 70+ environmental and advocacy organizations from across the Bay have joined their letter.
Also from the MCBC:
Provide public comment at either of the upcoming meetings. If you must pick one, the March 6th meeting will be more critical. But comments on 1/16 are welcome. You can attend in person (375 Beale St, San Francisco, Yerba Buena Room) or give comments via phone or Zoom (link for 1/16 meeting and 3/6 meeting). Note that remote comments may get cut off depending on attendance. You can email a comment using this link.
The MTC is suggesting a bike shuttle instead of the path, so cyclists can wait around, get on a bus with a bike (assuming it isn't a heavy cargo bike) and then stew in traffic with all the cars.
Walk Oakland Bike Oakland wants people to chime in on Grand Avenue
Grand Avenue in Oakland runs past the north shore of the lake and connects residents with BART on one end and a plethora of restaurants and shops. Unfortunately, it's currently designed as a multi-lane stroad with useless, paint-only bike lanes (see above). But that's on track to change, with planned upgrades including protected bike lanes.
To make sure this happens, Walk Oakland Bike Oakland is directing advocates towards a survey, this one focusing on the part of Grand in purple in the map above.
Despite being home to amazing restaurants, businesses, and a best-in-class farmers market, Grand Avenue's wide lanes encourage speeding, reckless U-turns, and illegal parking — all of which endanger pedestrians, bicyclists, and drivers alike, and make the street feel uninviting for shopping, dining, and other neighborhood activities.
Also from the survey page:
... we are asking you, current and potential Grand Avenue shoppers, to share your thoughts about how a safer Grand Avenue — from Lake Park to Elwood — would impact your visits, shopping habits, and overall experience on Grand Avenue.
Be sure to fill out the survey to make sure this project results in a street that's safe and inviting for all users.
