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WOBO works to improve neighborhood quality of life in Oakland by making walking and bicycling safe, accessible, easy and fun.

  Word on the Street title
Friday, July 24th
Vol Mtg Tuesday/Write Your Congresswoman

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  • We're looking to expand the issues that we're working on and get more folks involved.
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Donate to WOBO

  • 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.

In This Issue:

WOBO Volunteer Meetings - Tues, July 28th and Thurs, August 27th

Summer is ON. Join us Tuesday for the next WOBO Volunteer Meeting, featuring a project to update the City's inventory of over 250 paths and stairways. This presentation is a prelude to a month-long volunteer-led data-gathering project that will take place across the City during August. The collective inventory will assist the City in developing a sound, prioritized approach for fixing/maintaining these pedestrian resources. Come learn more about the project, how it works and how to get involved. (This project is a collaborative effort of Oakland Urban Paths, WOBO and the City of Oakland.)

JULY MEETING DETAILS: Tues, July 28th from 6:30-8:30pm at BAWT - 2301 Broadway.

And make sure you save the date for the August Volunteer Meeting, because it's really a short meeting followed by an evening of beverages and socializing in Oakland. We've wanted to get together with WOBO members and cycling/walking supporters for some time, and now we've set the date - Thursday, August 27th. The plan is to hit a couple of local watering holes that are in easy biking/walking distance from each other. Stay tuned for details!

Write Congresswoman Barbara Lee about the Transportation Bill

With the August recess, Representative Barbara Lee (California District 9) will be back in NorCal, making it a perfect time to reach out to her. We suggest you contact her by email (or however else you like) and encourage her to support safer streets and improved bike/ped access and infrastructure. We've set up this handy contact page, including a pre-designed letter you can edit and then submit via her website. If you want to call her offices or send a letter via the US Mail, you'll find a link to her other contact info on our page as well. However you do it, let Representative Lee know how you feel!

Nickel & Dime Us in August! (Whole Foods Teams Up with WOBO)

Whole Foods-Oakland has chosen WOBO as the beneficiary of their Nickels for Non-Profits program for the entire month of August! Whenever you shop at the Oakland Whole Foods during August, make sure to BYOB (bring your own bags). For each bag you bring and use, Whole Foods will give you the option of a nickel refund or a donation. Choose "donation" when the cashier asks and you'll be contributing money to WOBO!

We'll also be in person at the Oakland store on Sunday, August 9th, from11am-3pm, talking with shoppers about bike & ped stuff. Drop on by with your own bag and give us a little love (and your nickels). Whole Foods is located at the intersection of Vernon St, Bay Place and Harrison (map).

SCRAPER BIIIIIIIIIIKESSSSS!!!

Big Ups to Oakland's own Scraper Bikes who grace the cover of the July/August issue of Momentum Magazine! As if that wasn't enough, they also showed up on-screen at the Oakland and San Francisco editions of the Bicycle Film Festival thanks to the documentary short The Scraper Bike King about Scraper Bike movement leader Bay-be Champ.

Tomorrow (Saturday, July 25th) is your chance to ride with the legendary SCRAPER BIKES at the 2nd Annual Bike 4 Life - a bike ride for peace. The ride begins at 2pm from Lakeside Park (468 Perkins Street). The party kicks off at 3pm at DeFremery Park (aka Lil' Bobby Hutton Park - 1651 Adeline Street), featuring food, prizes, a skateboard exhibition, turf dancing, and performances by the Trunk Boiz, Queen Deelah and special guests!

WOBO Now on Twitter

Want to keep current with WOBO campaigns and special events as well as other bike/ped happenings in Oakland? Follow us on Twitter! You may already know that we've got a blog and a Facebook group, but now you can also connect with us on Twitter and check out our photos on Flickr.

The best part about our new Twitter account is that it's tied directly to our blog. Any new post to the blog automatically creates a tweet containing the post's title (and a handy link). This way you don't have to be hip to RSS to make sure you've got the 411 - just follow us on Twitter!

Volunteers Needed (Tabling): Lakefest, Art & Soul, Art Murmur

Do you love biking and walking? Do you sometimes find yourself talking to complete strangers about WOBO and the amazing work we're doing? If this sounds like you, come do outreach with us at one (or more) of the following events:

  • Lakefest Oakland: Aug. 1st & 2nd - WOBO will be on-site from noon-2pm both days. Contact Shannon
  • Oakland Art Murmur: Friday, August 7th - WOBO will host a table from 6-10pm. Contact Shannon
  • Art & Soul: Aug. 15th & 16th - Your chance to meet people and listen to great music in beautiful downtown Oakland. Volunteer for a few hours and stay the rest of the day for free! Volunteers needed for one-day shifts Saturday and Sunday: 11:45am-3pm or 3-6:15pm. Contact Sarah

Pothole of Shame - Special Guest Star: Not-A-Pothole

Although "pothole" may be in the title of this section, it's really about road hazards that the City should be made aware of. Also, "Road Hazard of Shame" doesn't have the same ring to it.

This week, we feature a section of roller-pavement at the NE corner of Broadway and MacArthur. Despite a patch job that was done on MacArthur a while back, this dicey corner deserves some more attention! Ask the City's Public Works Department to smooth out the ride there (or at any other dodgy location) by using their online form.

I Bike Oakland Newsletter

Want the inside scoop on what the City of Oakland's Bike & Pedestrian Facilities Program has been up to over the last six months? Check out the latest edition of the I Bike Oakland newsletter. There's lots of great stuff in it, including a shout-out for new bike rack requests. If you've got one, let 'em know about it here.

Car Lanes Removed, Yet No "Carmageddon" in NYC

Here's a great article on Streetsblog which goes to show that removing car lanes and closing streets (or sections of them) to motor traffic not only benefits cyclists and pedestrians, but also motor traffic. If a city like New York can do it, it makes the case that other cities can do it too.

Other Upcoming Events:

2nd Annual Bike 4 Life - Sat., July 25th

Healin' From Killin', a Bike Ride For Peace - from Lake Merritt to DeFremery Park (aka Lil' Bobby Hutton Park). Led by SCRAPER BIKES!

Details: 2pm - Ride from Lakeside Park (468 Perkins St), 3pm - Party at DeFremery Park (1651 Adeline St.) with food, prizes, a skateboard exhibition, turf dancing and live music.

The Crucible: Bike Fix-A-Thon - Sun., July 26th from noon-5pm

The Crucible offers Bike Fix-A-Thon events the last Sunday of every month. These bike repair and maintenance workshops are free to any West Oakland resident under 18. Join them for repairs and instruction on fixing flats, brakes, chains and shifters, as well as free studio tours! Details: The Crucible - Back Door (8th at Union) from 12-5pm.

WOBO Volunteer Meeting - Tues., July 28th WOBO Event

This month's meeting will feature a presentation on a project to update the City's inventory of over 250 paths and stairways. The presentation is a prelude to the month-long volunteer-led data-gathering project that will take place across the City during August. The collective inventory will assist the City in developing a sound, prioritized approach for fixing/maintaining these pedestrian resources. Come and learn more about the project, how it works and how you can get involved. Snacks will be provided. Details: Tues, July 28th from 6:30-8:30pm at Bay Area Wilderness Training (2301 Broadway, Suite B - enter on 23rd Street)

East Bay Evolution Bike Tours - Sat. & Sun., Aug. 29th & 30th

This two-wheeled food tour, guided by Karen Hester, begins and ends at the Eat Real Festival at Jack London Square, and will take you along Oakland's waterfront to meet local culinary artisans, learn their specialties and taste their creations. Members of the East Bay Bike Coalition or WOBO receive a $10 discount. Bike rentals are available from Bay Area Bikes (if interested, call or write Karen for details). To sign up, click here. Details: Tours available Saturday and Sunday, 12-4:30pm leaving from Jack London Square.

WOBO at Art Murmur - Fri., August 7th WOBO Event

Join us at Oakland's Art Murmur on August 7th. Look for the WOBO banner at our table near 23rd & Telegraph and come talk with us about walking, biking, art or what have you. Want free WOBO-designed stickers? We've got 'em, just ask!

Oakland's 2nd Kidical Mass - Sat., August 22nd WOBO Event

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. We'll hopefully spend a few minutes talking about the future of Oakland Kidical Mass, so please be ready to share ideas for future rides.

Details: 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.

For more bike/ped events in the Bay Area, check out the Streetsblog, San Francisco Bicycle Coalition and East Bay Bicycle Coalition calendars.

Fun Links: Form, Function and Fashion

It's a grab bag of links this week, with a little bit of everything. With the rise of bike culture over the last decade or so, bike fashion is coming into its own. I know it's far from home, but since the Brits gave us the Tweed Ride, I think it's okay to send you across the Pond with this link to London Cycle Chic. However, if you're looking for rideable fashions close to home, there's our very own B. Spoke Tailor who has already been turning heads.

As for innovative ideas, here's a new concept for bike racks, and a some iPhone apps to turn your iPhone into a bike computer, brake light and more.

Want to Get More Involved with WOBO?

WOBO is always looking for more folks to get involved with our all-volunteer crew!  Here's how you can help:  

  • Join the WOBO Group on Facebook and let us know what you think, do or feel when it comes to walking and biking in Oakland. Your pet peeves, favorite walks and rides, areas that need improvement – we want to hear from you!
  • Can you volunteer in any of the following areas? We especially need help with our campaign to create a bike corridor on Broadway:

Like what you see? We'd like to grow the WOBO membership – forward this message to a friend!

 Walk Oakland Bike Oakland  |  (510) 269-4034  |  PO Box 10945 |  Oakland, CA 94610