At the May 20, 2021 BPAC meeting, Nicole Ferrara, OakDOT’s Policy & Intergovernmental Affairs Advisor, presented on and shared ways the BPAC can support two bills aimed at reducing dangerous speeding on California roadways that the State Legislature is considering: Assembly Bill AB 43 (Friedman): Speed Limit Setting, and AB 550 (Chiu): Speed Safety Systems. Both bills would implement Safe Oakland Streets (SOS) strategies, and the bills have been supported by City Council and the Mayor.
Safe Oakland Streets: Goals
Prevent severe and fatal crashes and related disparities impacting Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) communities, seniors, people with disabilities and low-income populations
Eliminate severe and fatal injury inequities including racial disparities impacting BIPOC communities that exist today in Oakland
Inform effective and equitable safety strategies that prevent injury and injury inequities, and do not have adverse equity impacts on BIPOC communities, seniors, and low-income populations
Current status of state legislation
AB 43 passed out of the Assembly and heads to the Senate.
AB 550 was held in Assembly Appropriations today (May 20, 2021) and won’t advance this year.
At the May 20, 2021 BPAC meeting, Kerby Olsen, New Mobility Supervisor, gave a quick update on the E-scooter program and introduced two of the three new permitted operators: SPIN, VeoRide and LINK. Seymond Sumulong, Construction Inspector, gave an update on E-scooter parking enforcement and the effectiveness of the locking requirement.
Scooters with locking devices
Starting November 2020, shared e-scooters were required to lock to a bike rack, in-street corral or City street signs when not in use.
Before the locking devices were required, there were an average of 37 issues that were reported in OAK311 per month and an average 8 per month resulted to fines.
After the locking devices were required, there were an average of 32 issues that were reported in OAK311 per month and an average 0 per month resulted to fines.
At the April 15, 2021 BPAC meeting, members of the BPAC Police Relations Committee led a discussion to propose community rides and walks with the Oakland Police Department.
Overview
The BPAC Police Relations Committee is proposing that BPAC implement community rides with members of the bicycling community and the Oakland Police Department (OPD).
We want to bring down barriers to understanding that keep us from participating as bicyclists and pedestrians free of intimidation and fear.
Bicyclists and pedestrians face day to day safety issues, especially from vehicles.
Address the dynamic of different perspectives, especially with regards to safety.
Address the implicit bias bicyclists and pedestrians of color face from the OPD.
Planning Our First Ride
We want to roll-out our first community ride with OPD during the Bike to Wherever Day Pedal Pools on May 21st.
The community rides will be coordinated with the full BPAC, the BPAC Police Relations Committee, OakDOT, OPD and the public. Members and staff of the Oakland City Council could also be included.
BPAC would use the BPAC Blog to advertise events to the public and local community organizations and their networks.
Other details would need to be developed, including ride leaders, routes, duration and protocols.
Next Steps
Proposal submitted to the full BPAC for consideration at the April BPAC meeting. We respectfully request a Motion to Approve the proposal and BPAC support.
The BPAC Police Relations Committee would meet and coordinate with OPD management during April/May as well as coordinate with BPAC leadership and local community organizations.
Report back at the May BPAC and invite OPD representatives to attend
Expanding group rides to include group walks.
While ambitious, again, it is hoped that the first community rides with the OPD happen on Bike to Wherever Day on May 21st.
At the April 15, 2021 BPAC meeting, Chris Hwang, Walk Oakland Bike Oakland (WOBO) Board President, presented on Bike to W(herever) Day and ways to get involved. WOBO will produce a Bike To Wherever Day program at Lake Merritt on the afternoon of Friday, May 21, a national day for celebrating the bicycling commute. The 14-year old nonprofit is proud to produce a self-guided ride around the beautiful lake from 3pm to 6pm. They invite partners who are able to and interested in sharing resources that help Oaklanders experience the city by bicycle to email WOBO if they’d like to participate in programming the area along the walkway between the pergola and El Embarcadero Way, or to sponsor the event. Please stay tuned for additional details, and follow @walkoakbikeoak on social media for announcements and how to get involved.
Bike To W(herever) Day 2021
Friday, May 21, 2021 Lake Merritt Pergola 3pm – 6pm
Bike Bags
Bicycling / Micromobility Orgs
City & Community Resources
Climate Action Partners
Volunteer
Commissioner Rides with Councilmembers, Mayor, Elected Officials
At the April 15, 2021 BPAC meeting, Julieth Ortiz, OakDOT Transportation Planner, presented an overview of existing Transportation Development Act (TDA) Article 3 projects and a draft project list for fiscal year 2021-22. This year’s recommendation is to use funding for existing programs/projects, including the bicycle parking program, the stairs and path program, and Foothill pedestrian safety improvements. Input from the Commission regarding priorities is welcome.
Overview
Construction/engineering of a bicycle or pedestrian capital project
Maintenance of a multi-purpose path
Bicycle safety education program
Development of a comprehensive bicycle or pedestrian plans
At the April 15, 2021 BPAC meeting, Julieth Ortiz and Yvonne Chan, OaktDOT Transportation Planners, provided an update of existing AHSC projects and an overview of the proposed projects OakDOT is currently considering for Cycle 6. The Affordable Housing and Sustainable Communities Program (AHSC) is administered by the Strategic Growth Council and implemented by the California Department of Housing and Community Development. AHSC is one of the CA Climate Investments programs whose goal is to integrate affordable homes and sustainable transportation.
Overview
AHSC is a State “Climate Investment” Program to fund affordable housing + sustainable transportation to direct investment towards the most disadvantaged communities in the state and maximize economic, environmental, and public health benefits.
At the February 18, 2021 BPAC meeting, Catherine Payne and Audrey Harris, key members of the major projects review team, reported on current development applications under consideration (and recently approved), and shared how to participate in the application review process. The presentation is below, which highlights the four major projects in development:
98th & San Leandro PUD (planned unit development): Multiple phase project, including new streets, 399 residential units, 9 work/live units, 2,500 sf ground floor retail. Market rate (no affordable units). Status: PUD and infrastructure FDP approved, 12/20
Lake Merritt BART TOD (transit-oriented development), ENA awarded 2018: 517 du (44% affordable), 500,000 sf commercial. Status: Application review underway.
Oakland Waterfront Ballpark District (aka Howard Terminal): Up to: 35,000 seat capacity sports stadium, 3,500 seat capacity entertainment venue, 2.27 million sf commercial development, hotel facilities, 18 acres open space, 3,000 dwelling units, 8,900 parking spaces (max). Status: Draft EIR publication anticipated in Q1, 2021.
West Oakland BART TOD: 762 dwelling units (20% affordable) in 3 buildings, 440,000 sf commercial (PUD approved 2/6/19). Status: FDPs for 2 buildings (including affordable housing) and infrastructure approved November 2020.
Oakland BPAC Blog 