Out for a bike ride around Lake Merritt on a beautiful day in Oakland today, I *very* slowly approached a group of three elderly women walking toward me on the shared mixed-use path section, so they could safely pass while I waited for space.

(Yes, there are separated bike lanes, but they just abruptly end and route you back onto the shared path: https://www.oaklandca.gov/Government/Oakland-Improvement-Projects/Lakeshore-Avenue-Separated-Bike-Lanes-Project)

One of the women complained to me "why do we have all these bike lanes if you ride here anyway?"

So... I circled back and politely explained to her that the bike lane ended back behind us, and that I encourage her to vote for more bike lanes so I can stay out of her way.

Her friend was visibly amused, and another passerby stopped to affirm I was in the right, and literally fist-bumped me, so I'm delighted to have done my small part for cycling advocacy today 

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Without a *connected* network of *protected* bike lanes, most people simply won't ride bikes! You wouldn't drive a car without a connected network of streets either!

Always remember #CarDependency has us fighting each other over table scraps. It's a simple (and *solved*) geometry problem.

#CarFree #Urbanism #PublicTransit #WalkableCities #Cycling #BikeTooter

RE: https://infosec.exchange/@dangoodin/116166536974617236

Not only are cars literally killing us and destroying our world, they're also an absolute #Privacy nightmare!

#CarFree #PublicTransit #Urbanism #WalkableCities

"Unknowingly or not, Sesame Street’s creators aligned themselves with the ideas of Jane Jacobs, whose 1961 book The Death and Life of Great American Cities had become the bible for urbanists. Jacobs championed mixed-use, pedestrian-friendly neighborhoods over the bulldozing approach of planners like Robert Moses. She identified four conditions essential to vibrant city blocks—and Sesame Street embodies them all."

Via @brian_gettler https://mas.to/@brian_gettler/116116886146383292
#urbanPlanning #walkableCities

Hello, all! I’m stoked to be here and out of algo-misery to rediscover the commons with y’all. That said, I’m still getting my bearings on how to explore this place. Like is the internet really encouraging me to ask strangers for directions in the year of our lord 2026?? Well, here I am asking! Which corners of the federation are you enjoying these days? Bonus points if they involve #dogs #goodbooks #bloomscrolling #walkablecities

With care,
Liz (& Jayber!)
#dogsofmastodon #introduction

Virtual Event - #MaineBikePed Monthly Meetups

January 19 @ 4:00 pm – 5:00 pm

"Join us for Monthly Maine Bike Ped Meetups! Across Maine, local bike/ped committees, planning commissions, non-profits, and volunteers are working hard to improve safe, enjoyable, and practical active and #AlternateTransportation options. But we aren’t always talking to one another! In these virtual monthly meetings, we hope we can learn from each other’s successes and challenges, get advice, and share resources in a casual setting – a forum for those already active in the bike/ped world, as well as for those who are curious about the current work being done or who want to start their own local conversations. Meetings recur every third Monday of the month at 4 PM via Zoom (FMI at link below). Meetings will be ~45 minutes and will consist of introductions, share outs, and time for questions! I’ll be there to facilitate and help connect folks with resources."

https://www.bikemaine.org/event/maine-bike-ped-monthly-meetups/2026-01-19/

#SolarPunkSunday #Maine #BikeTooter #BicycleSafety #BicycleCoalitionOfMaine #SolarPunkSunday #BikeLanes #BicycleSafety #PedestrianSafety #WalkerSafety #WalkableCities #CriticalMass #BCM #Trails #BikePaths

#VirtualEvent - 2026 #CommunitySpokes Training (Online)

January 12 @ 5:30 pm – 7:30 pm
Cost: Free

"The Community Spokes Program is the #BicycleCoalitionOfMaine’s statewide network of bicycle and pedestrian advocates at the local level. We empower residents to become champions—or 'Community Spokes' — for better biking and walking in their cities and towns. Join us for a 2 hour training session to learn how to become a bicycle/pedestrian advocate in your community."

FMI and to register:
https://www.bikemaine.org/event/2026-community-spokes-training-online/

#SolarPunkSunday #BikeLanes #BicycleSafety #WalkerSafety #WalkableCities #CriticalMass #BCM #BikeTooter