Victory at Berkeley City Council

Unanimous support for resolution calling on Toll Authority to fund Bay Bridge path Jan. 27

Jan. 19: The Berkeley City Council voted unanimously last night for a resolution calling on the Bay Area Toll Authority to use congestion pricing to fund the West Span bicycle-pedestrian-maintenance path. The Bay Area Toll Authority votes on a new toll package on January 27, 10 AM, at the MetroCenter Auditorium, 101-Eighth St., Oakland, across from Lake Merritt BART.

Despite rare inclement weather including rainstorms, high winds, thunder, lightning and hail, which might deter some bicyclists, dozens of supporters attended the meeting holding signs and banners. After the victory they chanted, "All the way across the Bay!"

The path will open the floodgates to a healthy, carbon-free commute, at the same time as it protects worker and driver safety, and saves money on bridge maintenance. An average cyclist can comfortably cross the Bay Bridge in 20 minutes. Providing a motorist refuge and reducing lane closures for maintenance will save lives and many millions of dollars over the lifespan of the bridge.

This campaign is supported by the entire Bay Area Bicycle Coalition, with member groups representing tens of thousands of Bay Area bicyclists.

COME TO THE HEARING JANUARY 27: THE BIG VOTE!

This is a purely political issue. Don't let bicycling and walking get shunted out again!

Learn more and send a letter! An info and action page on this issue is:

http://ebbc.org/baybridge/

For more information contact the East Bay Bicycle Coalition at (510) 533-7433.