June 22 we found out the city would waive all but $35 for private installation of racks.  As well, the parking dept. folks agreed at last to leave in two parking meters per block while bike parking impacts are evaluated!  Might not sound like much, but this is big progress I’m happy to report.  Imagine no meters, no nuttin’ to lock your bike up to….
my email from last Friday:

Councilmember Brunner,

On behalf of WalkOakland BikeOakland I would like to
thank you for your office’s support of our efforts to
preserve bicycle parking in Oakalnd’s most vibrant
neighborhoods as the multistation parking kiosks are
installed.

Finance & Management’s commitment to leave two meters
per block as short-term bicycle parking, combined with
Council’s action to waive the encroachment fee for
private installation of bike racks, will help maintain
bicycle access to shops & activity centers.

Hopefully we can work together to help secure the
additional $150,000 needed to replace all of the
bicycle parking in time.

With our appreciation,
Doug Johnson

WalkOaklandBikeOakland.org

5000 parking meters are coming out this summer in Oakland, but the plans to make sure bike parking is in place isn’t coming together.  Please contact your city council office, the mayor, and anyone else you can with the message below……… Thanks!!!!

>>>>>>>>>>>>

The $4.8 million contract for the installation and
financing of the pay and display parking kiosks is on
the council agenda (consent) this Tuesday, June 5th.
Roughly 500 city blocks worth of meters are
coming out and it’s understood there is not sufficent bike parking in place.  The necessary racks (average 2/block) will cost $200,000. Basic racks are $200 installed.

Now is the time to commit to a short and long-term solution to what may become a bicycle parking nightmare in the city’s most active districts.  We appreciate your concern regarding this issue as evidenced by comments at Bike to Work Day and from your council office.

Current Status:  The Pedestrian/Bicycle program staff
has negotiated with the Finance and Management staff
to have three car park information sign poles on each
block installed so that they will offer serviceable
bicycle parking. Note that poles are substandard for
bike parking because they offer poor bike security
(bikes lifted over top) and are unstable (bikes will
fall over onto sidewalks if bumped).

Further, the Pedestrian/Bicycle Program staff has
secured a $70,000 grant to install ~250 bicycle racks throughout the city (over 20% of the grant will
actually pay for staffing, not racks!).  The parking meters will be removed before staff can get the bike rack contract through the bidding process and begin installation.

Walk Oakland Bike Oakland and the East Bay Bicycle
Coalition suggest the following measures to address
the situation:

First, Parking information poles should be outfitted
with a sticker identifying them as appropriate for
bicycle parking.  Poles must be in when the meters
are removed, and placed consistent with city
standards.
http://www.oaklandpw.com/AssetFactory.aspx?did=2158

Second, eliminate the $1000 encroachment fee to privately install a rack on public property.  It severly inhibits the placement of racks by businesses and other groups.

Third, commit $150,000 from either the increased
parking revenue or the city budget (program is currently entirely grant funded) to cover the funding
gap identified above.  This represents only 3% of the
$4.8 million lease!

Thank you for your attention to this matter.  We are eager to work with city staff from all departments to get a specific plan adopted to resolve this issue.

Thank you,

Walk Oakland Bike Oakland
Mission: To improve neighborhood quality of life in Oakland by making walking and bicycling safe,