…Jennie Ong, the executive director of the Oakland Chinatown Chamber of Commerce, which represents the interests of Chinatown businesses, said she is opposed to a proposal that would add bikeways and possibly eliminate one lane of traffic on 8th and 9th streets from Harrison to Broadway. Increased bicycle traffic would contribute to the confusion on these high-density streets, she said, where parking is a competitive sport and delivery trucks vie for curb space on a daily basis.

Ong said her reservations about adding bikeways to these streets stems from safety concerns, and the interests of Chinatown businesses, which could be negatively impacted if pedestrians feel unsafe or drivers cannot find a parking spot…

Local bicycle advocacy groups disagree with Ong’s assessment that bikeways would negatively impact the Chinatown area. Dave Campbell, program director for the East Bay Bicycle Coalition (EBBC), said bikeways are necessary for Chinatown to increase traffic safety, and could actually serve as a traffic-calming solution on 8th and 9th when drivers encounter the added visual cues signaling a bikeway.

“Having more bicyclists will make Chinatown a safer community,” Campbell said. “When streets get busy—and here they are very busy—that’s a good thing. We like to see this vibrancy in a community. Making it safe for bicycling will add to that vibrancy, and when you slow down traffic, you create a safe, shared space for bicyclists and pedestrians.”

read more: oaklandnorth, 03.11.11. via ebbc.

A cyclist at the intersection of 8th Street and Franklin hugs the curb as she passes a vehicle.

But see (this photo): This is a (white) “cyclist”. She knows she should cycle on the street.

What I’ve been seeing in Chinatown: Chinese men and women cycling dangerously on the crowded sidewalks, and sometimes on the street going the wrong way.

Because the streets are also dangerous (but seemingly more so: cars—much larger than pedestrians), and these (probably new or new-ish immigrant and non english-speaking) Chinese don’t know the rules of the road, especially not the gray area rules for cycling.

And because all the streets are annoying one-ways. !!!
There would still be enough travel lanes and double-park lane if you take one away lane and convert it to bike.

Another note on this photo: Those pedestrian bulb-outs!
I 3/4 hate them. They’re great for increasing pedestrian visibility and safety, but for cyclists: No. They force cyclists to squeeze in way too close to cars. The more effective bulb-outs that would benefit everyone are detached ones, with a bike lane going through it, so cyclists, pedestrians, and vehicles are safely separated. (I need to find a picture of this—common in Europe, though).

What if I can get my mom to root for Chinatown bike lanes / bikeways..
She has the same name as this director of chamber of commerce.
Jennie vs Jennie. haha 

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