Group names Alameda one of the country's most bicycle-friendly cities

"That takes grit and determination - an effort that Alameda officials didn't shy away from, which has now paid off as the little island city that could was recently named a gold-level "Bicycle Friendly Community" by the nationwide League of American Bicyclists. Alameda earned the prestigious award, a distinction held by only 32 cities across the country, by moving up the League's ladder."

"The city was first awarded bronze status in 2016 and then reached silver status in 2021. The pivotal steps Alameda took to get to the gold include approving the city's "Active Transportation Plan," a comprehensive roadmap for future safety and mobility; green lighting the bicycle-friendly east-west "Cross Alameda Trail" to near-completion; and launching the Oakland-Alameda Water Shuttle service, named "Woodstock" after one of the three original mid-1800s communities that make up the Island."

""More than 40% of Alameda students walk and bike to school, and we are committed to making sure they get there safely," says Alameda Mayor Marilyn Ezzy Ashcraft, who also says the city is committed to achieve this by expanding "Neighborhood Greenways" such as the Cross Alameda Trail so that anyone coming to the Island can travel safely. While achieving gold status may be admirable, there's always room for improvement. In its "Feedback To Improve" report card to the city, the League of American Bicyclists had several recommendations, including narrowing the gender gap between male (3.8%) and female (1.1%) bike commuters; lowering speed limits on all residential"

Alameda's flat terrain, lack of freeways and mild climate favor bicycling but required deliberate actions to gain formal recognition. The city progressed from bronze in 2016 to silver in 2021 and achieved gold-level Bicycle Friendly Community status from the League of American Bicyclists, a distinction held by only 32 cities nationwide. Key initiatives included approving an Active Transportation Plan, advancing the Cross Alameda Trail, and launching the Oakland-Alameda Water Shuttle "Woodstock" with free bike-friendly transport to Jack London Square. More than 40% of students walk or bike to school, and the city plans to expand Neighborhood Greenways. The League recommended narrowing the gender gap in commuting and lowering residential speed limits.

Read at The Mercury News