Oakland DOT is completing a protected bike lane on 7th/8th Street, featuring well-designed infrastructure. However, there is a concerning slip lane for right-turning motorists onto 5th that endangers cyclists. Advocates criticized the lane's design and the priority given to vehicle convenience over cyclist safety. The slip lane caters to heavy truck traffic, complicating safety measures. Budget constraints were cited for not closing the slip lane when the Bicyclist & Pedestrian Advisory Commission suggested improvements. Overall, the design raises significant safety concerns for users of the bike lane.
I was so looking forward to using this new bike lane to ride with my friends who only ride on protected areas, but after riding there yesterday, I would only take experienced riders through that slip turn.
The dangerous slip lane running through the protected bike lane on 8th & 5th is further evidence that OakDOT prioritizes the convenience of drivers over the safety of cyclists.
E7th/E8th is also a designated through-route for large trucks heading to Embarcadero West and the 880.
With the acute angle of this right-turn and the need to facilitate this heavy truck movement, this location would have required intensive civil design and construction beyond the scope of this paving coordination project.
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