Alameda mayor: City's work to make roads safer for all users pays off

"This new infrastructure provides safe travel routes for hundreds of Alameda schoolchildren. This is important because 40% of Alameda students walk or ride their bikes to school every day, which supports good health and the city's climate action goals by reducing automobile traffic and greenhouse gases."

"These projects, as well as improvements to the Cross Alameda Trail, are among the reasons that the League of American Bicyclists recently named Alameda a gold-level Bicycle Friendly Community, a distinction that just 32 cities hold across the country. Credit for this honor goes to our hardworking city staff, the City Council for approving bike-friendly policies and projects and our residents who made their voices heard."

"Walking is critically important for older adults to stay physically active, maintain social relationships and effectively age in place within their communities. But road traffic poses a major obstacle to walking safely in U.S. neighborhoods."

Alameda has undertaken significant transportation safety improvements, including the Central Avenue Safety Improvements Project featuring the city's first roundabouts and a protected two-way cycle track on Grand Street. These infrastructure enhancements serve hundreds of schoolchildren, with 40% of Alameda students walking or biking daily. The improvements support public health and climate goals by reducing automobile traffic and emissions. Additional projects include enhancements to the Cross Alameda Trail and the first Neighborhood Greenway on Pacific Avenue, featuring traffic circles and speed humps. These efforts earned Alameda recognition as a gold-level Bicycle Friendly Community, one of only 32 cities nationwide. Safe streets benefit not only children but also older adults, who require accessible pedestrian infrastructure to maintain physical activity and age in place within their communities.

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