• WOBO is run entirely on volunteer power.
• We're efficient and effective and 100% of donations go into public outreach materials and programs to make Oakland more walkable and bikeable.
• Help us do more by making a donation or purchasing a WOBO annual membership (Individual - $35, Household - $50, Individual w/WOBO t-shirt - $50). To contribute or discover member benefits, visit our Donation Page.

We at Walk Oakland Bike Oakland are very excited to welcome in 2010! Judging by the momentum we gained in 2009, this year is going to be spectacular. Together in 2009, we:

• Won new bike lanes on the Oakland-Harrison corridor through community planning with the HarriOak neighbors!
• Co-sponsored an international exchange tour with German Marshall Fund scholars that gave ideas and inspiration to city staff and elected officials about transforming Oakland's streets.
• Worked with local environment and social justice partners in the Oakland Climate Action Coalition to win ambitious targets for Oakland's Energy and Climate Action Plan.
• Led a three-day bike count on Broadway with dozens of volunteers.
• Partnered with Oakland Urban Pathways Initiative to catalogue the hundreds of paths and stairways throughout the city.
• More than doubled the number of members and volunteers who are part of WOBO's community.
• Received two challenge grants that have enabled us to hire our very first Executive Director.

All in all, it was an amazing year. All of our successes were possible only because of the exceptionally dedicated and supportive community of members, supporters, and volunteers. Our New Year's resolution is to make an even bigger splash in 2010, with our first Oaklavía street celebrations, stronger and more effective advocacy, and an expanded community. Here's to a great new year!

Walk Oakland Bike Oakland is delighted to introduce our very first Executive Director, Kassie Rohrbach. Kassie was one of the co-founders of Energy Action Coalition, a youth-led coalition of environmental and social justice groups. She helped grow EAC into a robust and effective organization for change. Kassie brings 8 years of coalition-building, policy development, and organizational development to WOBO. We know that she's going to be a great leader--she already has ideas about how to expand and deepen WOBO's relationships with partner groups and with members, and she's eager to hear from you about how you want to help WOBO grow.

Thanks to all who helped support our efforts to bring us to this next big step. Please come to our January 28 meeting to welcome Kassie and share your ideas for making the 2010s WOBO's decade.

Make sure to mark your calendar for this month's WOBO Volunteer Meeting. Why? It's your chance to meet the newest member of the WOBO family – Kassie Rohrback, our first Executive Director! Kassie will be at the Volunteer Meeting to introduce herself, answer your questions, and – with the help of WOBO campaign leaders – give you an update on what campaigns we're actively running, where they stand, and how you can help out in 2010. Since this meeting is designed to be your chance to get acquainted with Kassie and WOBO's campaigns, there will be time (and refreshments) after the meeting, so you can get more information about our campaigns and sign up to volunteer.

DETAILS: Thursday, Jan. 28th from 6:30-8pm at Bay Area Wilderness Training (2301 Broadway – enter on 23rd Street).

Call him cheap, frugal, a tightwad or an initiator of kindness, Willie Weir knows how to get the most bang for his bucks when it comes to traveling the world – whether it's giving the world's cheapest engagement ring, protesting an insanely over-priced fish dinner, knocking on doors for free lodging or eating his way to free ice cream. We like to call him generous, as he's set up his February 19th appearance as a benefit for WOBO.

On Friday, February 19th, Willie will will bring to life tales from his latest book Travels with Willie that will have you chuckling and leave you wanting to chuck your day job and hit the road. Bicycling magazine says, "Travels with Willie is one of the rare bike books that gets it right."

Weir Weir is a columnist for Adventure Cyclist magazine and a cycling commentator for public radio station KUOW in Seattle. His bicycle travels have taken him around the globe--including such "off the tourist path" destinations as India, South Africa, Bosnia, Laos and Colombia. Each year he speaks to thousands of students and adults, inspiring new adventurers and advocates. For more information about Willie Weir, visit: http://www.willieweir.com/.

DETAILS: Friday, February 19th at 7pm at Oakland's Humanist Hall (390 27th Street, between Telegraph & Broadway). Tickets: $5 WOBO members, $10 non-members. Special $25 annual WOBO membership (including event ticket) will be available at the door. The book Travels with Willie will be available for purchase for $15 (cash only). All ticket revenue and a portion of book sales will benefit WOBO.

Bring a poem to share as we explore some of Oakland's lyrically inspiring locales. We'll ride through the city with a few rest stops for readings and relaxation. Full details and route map TBA soon on the WOBO calendar. Any and all female-identified people are invited to participate.

Please RSVP to shannon@walkoaklandbikeoakland.org by Wednesday, February 3rd with your name, email, and phone number in case there are any last-minute updates. All participants must sign a waiver and wear a helmet - no exceptions!

DETAILS: Sunday, February 7 from 10am-1pm. Ride starts and ends at Jack London Square.

An opportunity to get to know families who get around Oakland by pedal power. Bring the kids on the the trail-a-bike, the trailer, the Xtracycle, on their own bikes or however you happen to make it work. No kids? No problem! Come out and share the joy of a casual social ride.

DETAILS: This WOBO-led ride meets at Frog Park (Hardy St. & Claremont Ave) from 10-10:30am with expected departure about 10:45am. Destination is Lake Shore Park. Ride is about 3 miles - expect a leisurely pace and relaxed atmosphere. NOTE: All participants will need to wear a helmet and sign a waiver (or have a waiver signed by a parent/guardian on their behalf if under 18).

The holiday season may be past, but you might be able to bring some cheer (and increased productivity) to WOBO as well as getting yourself a sweet tax write-off. If you or your organization has any of the following to donate (especially if it's in good shape but going unused), we'd love to have it and will definitely put it to good use. Here's what's currently on the WOBO Wishlist:

• Cellphone data plan
• Inexpensive/donated workspace for our Exec. Dir. and 1-2 interns
• Computer, computer printer
• "Pop-up" event tent (like the ones you see at farmers' markets)
• Digital camera
• Bike blinky lights
• Auction items

If you have any of the above items, or have an item you'd like to donate in general, please contact kassie@walkoaklandbikeoakland.org

On December 1, nearly 30 WOBO volunteers joined forces for one of the toughest projects of the year – the assembly of our year-end fundraising letter, which went to nearly 1,000 supporters. Thanks to the energy, efficiency, and enthusiasm of the volunteers, not only did the letters get in the mail in record time, but each envelope was also infused with a bit of extra love that brought excellent results.

Our sincere gratitude to everyone who helped make it possible to meet our match requirement and secure a $15,000 challenge grant from the Alliance for Biking and Walking. Thank you! If you're interested in helping out with WOBO fundraising, contact gloria@walkoaklandbikeoakland.org to join the Development Team.

A big thanks to our Volunteer of the Month Sarah Peters, who took on the task of processing the mountain of new member registrations we saw in November and December while also creating much-needed documentation on membership processing (to make things easier for future volunteers). Thanks a ton, Sarah!

WOBO knows that many Oakland walkers and bikers also take public transportation for longer trips. This month we have a chance to make our city's bus service faster and more reliable. Bus Rapid Transit, with its dedicated lanes, state-of-the-art buses, and other key features, is pending approval in Oakland...but with budget woes plaguing AC Transit, nothing's for certain.

WOBO encourages our supporters to give input on the proposed Bus Rapid Transit route in Oakland and speak out in support of better bus service at one of the community meetings this month! Upcoming meeting dates are January 26th and 27th. For meeting times and locations, as well as more information on East Bay BRT, visit: http://transformca.org/brt/oakland. You can also review the AC Transit proposal: http://www.oaklandbrt.com/ and see a cool simulation of what the finished BRT project would look like: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wZIAmTwllD4.

The City of Oakland's Bicycle and Pedestrian Facilities Program has just released the sixth edition of their I [BIKE] OAKLAND newsletter. This newsletter provides an overview of the City's progress implementing Oakland's Bicycle Master Plan over the last six months. To download the newsletter, click here. The newsletter is currently available in English, and will be available in Spanish, Chinese, and Vietnamese at the beginning of February.

Shop/Show

Swarm Gallery presents SHOP/SHOW: a curated pop-up shop exhibition including small work installations, limited edition prints, art books, art t's by Oaklandish, jewelry and much more. Head down to the gallery and take a moment to enjoy some of the fabulous artwork, locally published zines and prints, and get to know some of the super-talented local artists that make Oakland a great place for art and creativity. Runs through Sunday, January 24th.

Oakland Community Meeting on East Bay BRT

Oakland needs your input on the proposed plan for Bus Rapid Transit (BRT). Come to one of six community meetings. Similar to light rail without tracks, BRT features bus-only lanes, level boarding and fare payment at stations to achieve faster and more reliable service. For more information, visit www.oaklandbrt.com or call 510-238-3792. For transit directions, call 5-1-1 or visit 511.org.

Oakland Community Meeting on East Bay BRT

Oakland needs your input on the proposed plan for Bus Rapid Transit (BRT). Come to one of six community meetings. Similar to light rail without tracks, BRT features bus-only lanes, level boarding and fare payment at stations to achieve faster and more reliable service. For more information, visit www.oaklandbrt.com or call 510-238-3792. For transit directions, call 5-1-1 or visit 511.org. .

Complete the Bay Bridge Bike/Ped Lane: Bay Area Toll Authority Meeting

On January 27, the Bay Area Toll Authority (BATA) will vote on a bridge toll increase that has the potential to substantially advance a 12-year campaign to complete the pathway from the East Bay to San Francisco. The pathway on the East Span is already under construction, but that will only take bikes/peds halfway across the Bay. EBBC is asking for WOBO members' support at this critical moment, to attend the meeting in support of the West Span Pathway and new legislation that would allow toll revenue to pay for this critical access. For the West Span Pathway to succeed, as many supporters as possible need to fill the room.

Broadway Valdez Specific Plan Public Meeting - Preferred Concept

Come advocate for good bicycle and pedestrian planning along Broadway! The Broadway/Valdez District Specific Plan represents an effort to guide City officials in developing strategies to provide destination retail and mixed use development along Broadway between 23rd Street and Interstate 580. This meeting will discuss the various project alternatives that the City is considering advocating for in their project plan.

Bay Area Derailleurs Mini Bike Cabaret

The Bay Area Derailleurs present MINI BIKE CABARET, a multi-media art and dance extravaganza featuring peers, friends, and supporters of the bicycle dance movement. The evening will feature dance performances by the Derailleurs, the Bombshells (punk rock burlesque), and the Cheese Puffs (lounge burlesque); live music, an art show, film screenings, and the release of the Derailleurs' bike-themed coloring book.

SF Bike Coalition's Love on Wheels

The San Francisco Bicycle Coalition plays cupid for another round of Love on Wheels, the dating game exclusively for bicyclists, just like the original 1970's game show. Real-life bicycling bachelorettes & bachelors quiz a panel of 3 bicyclists to select a date & roll to hip local spots for a romantic rendezvous, courtesy of our fabulous sponsors. Watch hot cyclists pair up, win raffle prizes, or be a contestant! $5 for SFBC Members, non-members pay $10 or join at the door & get in free! All ages! Free valet bike parking provided by the SFBC!

Oakland Bicycle/Pedestrian Advisory Committee

Oakland's Bicycle & Pedestrian Advisory Committee (BPAC) committee was chartered in 1995 to advise the City on the design of bicycle and pedestrian facilities and related issues. Meetings are held in City Hall the third Thursday of the month and begin at 5:30 p.m. Members of the public are welcome to attend all or part of any BPAC meeting. To receive meeting agendas by email, please contact bikeped@oaklandnet.com.

You know what happens when the newsletter skips a month? The fun links just pile up. So I've got a few for you this month, including both bike and pedestrian fun links! First off, after Cordarounds released the Urban Awareness Jacket, a follow-up to their Bike to Work Pants, a super-enthusiastic customer created this Tron-inspired video featuring the jacket and a remote-controlled full-size couch. Now that's traveling in comfort!

Now that it's the rainy season (with a vengance), how does one make themselves visible when walking in the rain? There's always the safety vest, but if you're looking for a more stylish solution that also keeps you from getting wet, check out this LED Umbrella. With it's central post being an end-to-end LED light, it will not only help light your way, but people will definitely see you coming (and wonder how many times you've seen Blade Runner).

As for bike innovations you likely haven't seen yet, how about the Copenhagen Wheel, developed at MIT. It's a revolutionary new bicycle wheel that not only boosts power, but can keep track of friends, fitness, smog and traffic and (apparently) can be swapped out with a traditional rear bike wheel. There's also this bike wheel whose hub is also a bike pump and a bikefiet which converts to a stroller and a bicycle. As far as "fun links" go, 2010 is looking to be a banner year.