Oakland, CA –On April 10th, the City of Oakland launched Oakland Slow Streets, implementing “soft closures” to restrict neighborhood streets to local vehicle traffic including residents, emergency vehicles, and service and delivery vehicles. Our goal is to make neighborhood streets safer to walk and bicycle, creating wider spaces than our current sidewalks allow. On these streets residents can make essential outdoor trips using the roadway while reducing foot traffic at parks and on outdoor trails, which have experienced extremely high usage since the Alameda County Shelter-in-Place order began.
The program declares all existing and proposed Neighborhood Bike Routes as Closed to Through Traffic. These 74 miles account for nearly 10% of all Oakland streets. On April 11 the City piloted “soft closures” on 4.5 miles of that network, using signage, traffic cones and barriers on four street segments.
The City has identified 11 additional miles of Slow Streets from which we aim to select 4-5 miles for the second phase of streets to receive “soft closures” beginning this Friday, April 17th, and seeks community input about this proposal. Please look at the attached map and provide your feedback on this form (https://forms.gle/tF2NiWubc9HiwQEv9) or by contacting OAK311.
This program is also intended to discourage drivers from using Slow Streets unless necessary to reach a final destination. The City urges all people driving to drive slowly and safely, and reminds drivers to expect to see people walking and biking along ALL streets. Our hospitals are facing unprecedented challenges and don't need any additional patients. This effort does not impact emergency vehicle access.
All Oakland Slow Streets are also displayed on the map on the following page. This map has been updated since our initial launch to remove transit routes, address conflicts with healthcare and emergency service facilities, and remove streets that don’t have any alternative routes. The City is encouraging drivers to avoid these streets unless using them to reach a final destination.
As a clear reminder, Oakland Slow Streets is intended to promote physical distancing of at least 6 feet by creating new low-traffic, low speed streets to allow residents to safely pass one another. Social gatherings on these streets are prohibited. The Alameda County Public Health Department recommends that residents wear cloth face masks while in public. The City of Oakland will continue to monitor CDC guidance on outdoor recreation, transportation, and physical distancing, and will adjust this program as needed.
For additional program information and a larger copy of the map below, please visit: https://www.staging.oaklandca.gov/projects/oakland-slow-streets