Residents of the ethnically diverse port city of Oakland enjoy sunny days, clean air (thanks to Pacific breezes), locally-produced food, and public transportation ridership of over 20 percent. Since Mayor Ron Dellums took office in January of 2007, the city has also adopted a "Zero Waste by 2020" plan, launched an "Oil Independence Oakland by 2020" task force, and banned plastic bags and styrofoam takeout containers. Oakland has one of the highest solid waste diversion rates in the country and an energy matrix that’s more than ten percent renewable. The city has partnered with the University of California Berkeley to study how to source 30 percent of its food locally, and it's part of an alliance with San Francisco, Berkeley, and other Bay Area communities to jointly get half of their energy from renewable sources by 2017. Two areas that still need work? Congestion and housing affordability. Finally, much like Detroit, Memphis or Baltimore, once Oakland gets its crime rate under control, it could be as desirable a place to live as its cross-bay neighbor, San Francisco.
(Photo by Ingrid Taylar)
Ken O. says:
3/5/09
City of Oakland’s Bicycle Master Plan (2007) “Action 1A.4: Route Signage: Develop an informative and visible signage system for the bikeway network, building on existing bikeway signage, that includes directional and distance information to major destinations.”
The City of Oakland Bicycle & Pedestrian Facilities Program invites the public to learn about and comment on a new bicycle wayfinding signage system for use along Oakland’s bicycle network. See the signs for yourself on Market Street between 3rd Street and the Berkeley border. Get involved by participating in these events:
· Thursday, March 19, 7:00-8:00pm: community meeting, Oakland City Hall, Hearing Room 4.
· Tuesday, April 21, 8:00-9:00pm: presentation at the East Bay Bicycle Coalition monthly meeting, Rockridge Library (5366 College Ave).
· Saturday, April 25, 10:00am-12:00pm: bicycle ride hosted by Walk Oakland Bike Oakland. Meet at Market Street and 3rd Street (near West Oakland BART).
· Sunday, May 31: deadline for public comments. Send your input to bikeped@oaklandnet.com or the address below.
More information: www.oaklandpw.com/Page122.aspx#signs .