How Alameda is Reducing Car Dependency Through Bike Lanes and Safe Streets
Alameda is generally considered to be a desirable part of California. The home prices there attest to that. The weather is often nice, there are family-friendly activities, and you’re not far from the ocean no matter what part of the region you’re in.
There are gorgeous homes for sale in Alameda, CA if you can afford them. There’s one factor some residents have complained about in regards to this area, though, and that’s the fact that it’s not very safe for cyclists and pedestrians.
The region has taken action recently to combat this perception, though. Let’s take a moment to discuss what’s happening in the area that should make things more pleasant for those who would prefer walking or biking instead of driving.
Why Has This Been Such a Problem?
If you’re not familiar with Alameda, you probably don’t know why the region was long considered unfriendly toward cyclists and pedestrians. It’s mostly because there were some areas with no sidewalks. This led to pedestrians having to walk in the street, where they were in potential danger from passing cars.
There were also not that many bike lanes. Bike riders had to brave the traffic, which could get particularly perilous during rush hour. Something had to be done, or at least that’s what some of the residents felt to be the case.
This became a point of contention among some of the area’s elected officials. In recent years, though, concerted efforts have begun to make a real difference in this regard.
What is Alameda Doing?
Before getting into detail about what Alameda is doing, a general overview is called for. If you were to visit Alameda today, you would probably quickly notice several ways that the region is trying to prioritize bikers and pedestrians.
The appearance of more bike lanes is evident. Many of them are brand-new and freshly painted. Safe pedestrian crossings have been added to some of the busiest streets. You may also notice more Slow Streets.
Slow Streets are public thoroughfares where you must drive slower to obey newly posted speed limits. While some drivers might grumble about them, they make it safer for pedestrians, cyclists, children, and anyone living nearby who wants to take their dog for a walk.
You might also notice Neighborhood Greenways. This is another special initiative that has sprung into action over the past couple of years. The Greenways are traffic-calmed streets. They still allow traffic, but the cars must essentially crawl along to accommodate bikers and pedestrians.
Now, let’s get into more detail about these concepts.
Slow Streets
The appearance of Slow Streets might be considered a bit controversial by some drivers, but for the most part, they have proven to be popular and welcome by most members of the Alameda community. These were actually temporary programs that were put in place during the Covid-19 pandemic. They were so well liked by most of Alameda’s citizens, though, that they were left as they were after the pandemic effectively concluded.
There are barriers blocking off some streets, while others feature “no through” traffic signs. Cars can still operate close to them, but the drivers need to find a way around. The city has made sure to accommodate these drivers, but they have also made it a point of prioritizing joggers, bikers, etc.
Neighborhood Greenways
As for the Neighborhood Greenways, they are the evolution of some of these Slow Streets. If a Slow Street seems to be embraced by those who live there, the region’s government has the option of transitioning it permanently to a Neighborhood Greenway.
These streets allow vehicles, as we mentioned, but they must stick to speeds typically in the range of 15-20 miles per hour. That might seem unduly slow, but it’s close to what you’ll see from cars in a school zone, so it’s not as though it’s unheard of.
Some of the streets that are being turned into permanent Neighborhood Greenways are taking steps beyond the posting of new lowered speed limit signs. They are also installing regular speedbumps to discourage anyone who wants to increase their vehicle’s speed in one of these areas.
There’s also a heightened police presence to make sure that no one disobeys the speed limit laws. It’s causing a necessary adjustment with the area’s drivers, but most of them seem to be okay with it.
Could This Impact Other Areas?
Alameda still has plenty of thoroughfares that obviously prioritize vehicle traffic over cyclists and pedestrians. These are usually close to the highways and near areas with the most commerce. However, the impact of more bike lanes, Neighborhood Greenways, and Slow Streets is seen as positive, so it brings to mind the question of whether other cities or parts of California might follow this example.
That’s a difficult question to answer, since every area is going to have different priorities. However, California is often seen as a state that caters to health-minded individuals, and that group certainly could be said to include people who want to walk, jog, or ride their bikes.
In Alameda, these efforts can be seen on streets like Versailles Avenue, San Jose Avenue, and Pacific Avenue. The new initiatives are not seen as being very disruptive, with some residents feeling that they should have been made a long time ago.
Are there streets in other areas equivalent to the ones we just mentioned? Possibly, but the appetite for wholesale change in those other neighborhoods, townships, or cities might not be as great as Alameda’s proved to be.
Even if Alameda in California does not end up proving to be a shining example of safety and better health that influences nearby areas, many of the current residents see what is happening as being nothing but positive. This is evident if you visit.
The Slow Streets and Neighborhood Greenways are popular hangouts. Everyone you see there seems to be smiling. It’s proof positive that every once in a while, a relatively small city planning change can make a huge quality of life difference.