East Bay Bicycle Coalition Meeting

From: Robert Raburn [mailto:robertraburn [at] ebbc.org]

Subject: Important Discussion of BRT Tues

Next East Bay Bicycle Coalition Meeting begins on Tuesday, October 17 at 7:30pm at
Mosswood Park Community Center, 3612 Webster at West Grand, only a block from
Telegraph Ave near MacArthur BART.

At 8:30pm our special guest speaker will be Jim Cunradi, AC Transit Planner, who
will offer a glimpse into the future configuration of Telegraph Avenue where Bus
Rapid Transit (BRT) is being planned to co-exist with space for bicyclists. We have
also invited AC Transit directors to attend. Come welcome Mr. Cunradi, meet your
elected transit directors, and learn how you can promote the innovative BRT project
along with the long overdue extension of the Telegraph Bikeway.
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BACKGROUND
Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) is proposed to link the East Bay's most heavily used bus
corridor. The project is designed to serve Berkeley, Oakland, and San Leandro by
operating from downtown Berkeley to Bayfair BART and Mall along Telegraph Avenue,
International Boulevard and East 14th Street.

What is BRT?
BRT is a new and cost-effective way of providing high-quality transit service with
buses. The buses operate primarily in bus-only transit lanes with light rail-like
service characteristics and station spacing. Traffic signals are modified giving
buses priority, helping them move more quickly and reliably. BRT stations are
similar to light rail stations, each with a boarding platform, shelter,
proof-of-payment ticket validation, ticket vending machines, security features, and
real-time vehicle arrival information. BRT is much less expensive than light rail to
construct and operate and retains the flexibility to operate in conventional traffic
lanes.

BRT and the Community
* Improved Travel Times - Current bus trips from Downtown Oakland to UCB that take
25 to 30 minutes will average 15 to 20 minutes.
* Improved Transit Reliability - The ability to operate in bus-only lanes reduces
the unpredictability of typical city traffic.
* Increased Transit Usage - Projections show weekday ridership would increase 35%.
* Improved Quality of Life - Automobile dependence leads to residential and
commercial corridors typically forsaken by passing motorists. Improved transit
service makes the community more attractive to new development and brings about more
opportunities to meet the community's current housing and retail needs.

Bicyclists and BRT
* BRT buses running in bus-only lanes in the center of the roadway reduce the
bus-bike conflicts inherent on traditional bus routes.
* BRT does not create hazardous rail track crossings that cause solo diversion crashes.
* BRT's increased service frequency and faster travel may attract additional
bike-on-bus passengers for medium-distance trips. Bicyclists traditionally eschew
waiting for buses for shorter trips in favor of pedaling. Most current bike-on-bus
trips involve transbay travel; longer express bus trips; access to destinations that
involve steep climbs; or emergency travel necessitated by inclement weather, bike
breakdowns, or situations like getting caught out after dark without lights.
* With BRT stations spaced farther apart, the bicycle becomes relatively better
suited than walking for some passengers to access transit.
* How the BRT buses and elevated platforms at stations will accommodate loading
bicycles on-board buses or bus racks remains uncertain.
* Not all bicyclists will need to travel with their bike on-board a bus rack. Making
a secure bicycle storage option available at all BRT stations, such as the BikeLink
eLockers, would help appeal to existing bicyclists and help lure motorists from cars
to convenient bike-bus trips.
* Bicyclists benefit from increased room on popular arterials where parking is
removed (yippee, no door zone!) and faster implementation of the stalled Telegraph
Avenue bike lanes with Federal monies.
* Improved signal interconnection, reduced speeding, better lighting, more shopping
opportunities and increased foot traffic will enhance traffic safety, personal
security and the make opportunities to create bicycle-friendly communities on BRT
corridors.


Bicyclists are encouraged to consider and make preliminary suggestions. Once the
draft plan for the BRT is released, a formal "45-day Public Comment Period" will
begin.

To be notified about public meetings, call Joel Ramos of the Transportation and Land
Use Coalition at 510-740-3109 (joel [at] transcoalition.org).


-Robert Raburn, Executive Director
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East Bay Bicycle Coalition http://www.ebbc.org
PO Box 1736 tel:(510)530-3444
Oakland, CA 94604 fax:(510)336-1604
info msg:(510)433-RIDE (7433)
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"To promote bicycling as an everyday means
of transportation and recreation"