On Monday evening, a rider was pulled over by the police for riding up the bus lane between the Birmingham Bridge and Craft Avenue in Uptown/Oakland. He admitted that he knew that it is currently illegal to do so, but that no safer options* exist for him to get home. The officer did not end up ticketing the cyclist, but these types of actions will only seek to discourage people from riding in the city.

As bicyclists WE MUST DEMAND that the city provide us a safe commuting alternative. It is our right to choose how to commute. And people should not be forced to drive a car or take the bus because shortsighted planning has not provided for safe access to cyclists, walkers, and wheelchair users. Take action now and call the Mayor’s 3-1-1 service line or fill out the online form and TELL THEM WE WILL NOT STAND BEING HARASSED WHEN NO OTHER OPTIONS EXIST. We must DEMAND that the city addresses this unsafe section of town and either install a multiuse path alongside Fifth Ave., or light and maintain the Panther Hollow Trail so that bicyclists can use it regardless of time of day or time of year.

Log your complaint with your city councilperson as well and tell them more resources need to be devoted to making streets and paths safer and more accessible to bicyclists.

*
1. Using the sidewalk next to the bus lane is not only unsafe, it is impossible. The sidewalk is used illegally for parking by scores of people during the course of the day, blocking anyone on bike, on foot, or in a wheelchair from using it. Furthermore, it is in a state of disrepair unparalleled with any sidewalk I’ve ever seen. It looks like it has been through a war. It is dangerous and needs to be replaced.
2. Using Forbes Ave. through this section of town is a death trap. Cars travel at speeds upwards of 65 mph where the 376 exit ramp connects with Forbes. Soon enough the Blvd of the Allies Bridge will also have an exit ramp on the left side of Forbes Ave opposite the 376 exit, putting hundreds more fast moving cars onto Forbes Ave without providing for bikes and pedestrians in any way.
3. The Eliza Furnace Trail is usable only to the Greenfield trailhead. The Panther Hollow Trail is unlit and unmaintained in the fall and winter months, making it dangerous and uninviting to bicyclists for much of the year. Not to mention the trails are officially closed at dusk so it is not beyond the imagination that we could get ticketed for using the trails to commute home as well.
4. The Bates street exit off of the EFT is also dangerous. Thousands of cars squeeze up and down steep and narrow Bates street everyday during rush hour. Merging from the trail onto Bates is unsafe and extreemely difficult.