• 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.

Join us at WOBO's November 19th volunteer meeting for an "advocate training session." Ever wondered how to get your elected official's attention and raise awareness about the importance of bicycle and pedestrian improvements in Oakland? At our next meeting we'll have a representative from the Oakland Heritage Alliance (OHA) informing us on how to effectively lobby city hall. Among the topics Naomi Schiff will cover are how to give effective public testimony and how to persuade elected officials to champion a cause (through working behind the scenes). Participants will leave with ideas for effective advocacy. Snacks will be provided, and the meeting will be followed by a pub crawl. Not to be missed!

WHEN: Thursday, November 19th from 6:30-8pm
WHERE: B.A.W.T. at 2301 Broadway (enter on 23rd)

With just over $1,000 left to raise by December 31st to meet our first matching grant and secure the starting salary for our first staffer – WOBO needs YOU to help fold, stuff, seal, and stamp our year-end appeal letter on December 1st. Spend an evening in the company of fellow biking and walking advocates, enjoy dinner on us, and let your fingers fly while enjoying energizing music and great conversation. If all goes according to plan, we'll put approximately 1,000 letters in the mail by night's end.

We need to meet this match in order to achieve our ambitious goals for the coming year – so if you want bike lanes on Broadway, safer streets for pedestrians, and a more vibrant Oakland, please pitch in for the final push! RSVP to shannon@walkoaklandbikeoakland.org with food and music preferences, and let the wild rumpus begin!

DETAILS: Tuesday, December 1st from 6-9pm at WOBO HQ (Bay Area Wilderness Training @ 2301 Broadway) - enter on 23rd

A new report released November 9th by Transportation For America and the Surface Transportation Policy Partnership takes stock of how city streets built for speed, and not safety, can be deadly to pedestrians. "Dangerous By Design: Solving the Epidemic of Preventable Pedestrian Deaths (And Making Great Neighborhoods)" ranks the nation's 52 largest metro areas based on a calculated Pedestrian Danger Index (PDI), revealing how investment in pedestrian infrastructure could save thousands of lives and prevent even more collisions each year.

While the Bay Area is identified as the safest large metro area in California, close to 20% of all traffic deaths in Oakland are pedestrians, a figure that begs more than the mere 1.5% of annual federal transportation funding allocated to pedestrian and bicycle safety projects.

Walk Oakland Bike Oakland joined with the Alameda County Transportation Improvement Authority (ACTIA), United Seniors of Oakland and Alameda County, TransForm and Transportation for America in publicizing the report, which calls on local and national decision-makers to increase federal funding for pedestrian safety and pass a national Complete Streets policy. To download the report, visit www.t4america.org/resources/dangerousbydesign.

TAKE ACTION: Write a letter to the editor of the Oakland Tribune asking for greater investment in pedestrian safety by Oakland. Describe places where you walk that should be made safer – with additional crosswalks, countdown timers, or speed humps – and let Oakland's city council and federal representatives know you support more funding for safe streets! Send your letter to triblet@bayareanewsgroup.com and bcc: shannon@walkoaklandbikeoakland.org.

This year, Free Range Studios is giving away two Youtopia Grants, each worth $15,000 in design and strategic communications services. Since we've already started planning Oakland's 2010 ciclovía – a Sunday Streets-type affair we're calling Oaklavía – winning this grant would be a huge boost to the project.

You can vote for Oaklavía here until December 1st. If we're among the top 20 vote-getters, we'll have a shot at the $15,000 grant! We're not asking for money, just two minutes of your time (and a few mouse-clicks). If you want to help us rock the vote:

• Visit the voting page for Oaklavía
• Click "Sign up" (small blue text)
• Create your login
• If it doesn't redirect you to the Oaklavía voting page, get there by clicking here
• To vote, click the word "vote" in the box to the left of "Oaklavía" and choose how many of your three votes you want to give WOBO

We're excited to announce the newest WOBO discount partners:

• Bay Area Bikes
• The Bent Spoke
• Tip Top Bike Shop
• Ride SFO

These fine establishments (along with existing partners Manifesto Bikes, Pioneer Bike Shop, and Wheels of Justice) now offer all card-carrying WOBO members 10% off parts and accessories! Not a WOBO member yet? Join WOBO and help make Oakland a great city to bike and walk while reaping the rewards of membership perks like discounts all over town! See the full list of WOBO discount partners.

Eleven gals took part in the first-ever Women of WOBO ride on Sunday, November 1st, pedaling the shoreline from Jack London Square to the Fruitvale for the Dia de los Muertos Festival. In addition to the festival's incredible dancers, beautiful and moving ofrendas, and tasty treats, the ride itself was a fun opportunity to share some bike-time with other women who love walking and biking in Oakland. On the way home, we checked out the soon-to-be-striped new bike lanes on Lakeshore, and even drew a cheer from another WOBO member headed out on his own ride. Thanks to Alicia, Erin, Gloria, Jessica, Julie, Kina, Natasha, Naomi, Sarah, Shannon, and Wendy for making the first "WOW" ride a success!

The next Women of WOBO (WOW) ride is a Tea & Cookies Ride on Sunday, December 6th. Bring your favorite teabag, a cup, and some cookies to share as we create a mobile tea party! We'll provide hot water for steeping at Dimond Park – approximately halfway between Rockridge and Fruitvale. The ride will follow established bike routes through the foothills, winding along backstreets between North Oakland and Fruitvale. Any and all female-identified people are invited to participate.

Please RSVP to shannon@walkoaklandbikeoakland.org by Wednesday, December 2nd 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, December 6th from 10am-1pm. Starts at Rockridge BART station (by the bike racks), ends at Fruitvale BART station. Traveling via Piedmont Hills bike route. Approximately 9 miles. Route map.

For more information, visit our calendar page or email shannon@walkoaklandbikeoakland.org. And if you're itching to organize or lead a social ride for WOBO, contact alec@walkoaklandbikeoakland.org.

The planning process for the transformation of Oakland's Central Waterfront is well underway. Six community meetings have already taken place to hear resident's ideas for the future of the area. Access to the waterfront, improved transportation options (including improved bicycle and pedestrian connections) and businesses and residential development are among the priorities of Oakland residents.

An Existing Conditions Report, documenting existing land uses and infrastructure conditions is available on the project website, as well as Alternatives Report that contains information about three proposed development patterns highlighting the differences between them.

The public hearing process on the preferred development pattern begins on Dec. 9th when the City of Oakland's Parks and Recreation Commission will discuss the area's plans. The City's Landmarks Preservation Advisory Board will discuss this item on Dec. 14th and the item will also be on the agenda of the City's Planning Commission on Dec. 16th. Become involved in shaping the future of Oakland's central waterfront by attending the upcoming public meetings or sending your comments to: central_estuary_plan@oaklandnet.com.

ARRGH! This monster completely gobbled up my front wheel, blowing out the tube in the process! Sitting on MacArthur Blvd, between Piedmont Ave and Howe St, this pothole must be avoided on a daily basis by both cyclists and drivers. It's especially troublesome for cyclists zipping down MacArthur during the morning commute, as they head to the MacArthur BART station.

Needless to say, beware of this one and report potholes to the Oakland DPW by clicking here. The City doesn't know where every pothole is, so they appreciate the info. And we've seen a quick turnaround on the ones we've called in.

Do you have a Pothole of Shame of your own? We want to hear about it! Send your nominees – including location, picture and a brief summary – to dominic@walkoaklandbikeoakland.org.

Artists, Thinkers, Creators: we seek your human-powered machines, bicycle-based inventions, and interactive kinetic sculptures. In May of 2010, Rock Paper Scissors Collective is hosting Beyond Bicycles, a celebration of the art, science, and politics of harnessing human power. The submission deadline is March 15th.

Submit entries by email: gallery@rpscollective.com or by post: 2278 Telegraph Ave, Oakland, CA 94612, but definitely send them.

Do you have any pictures having to do with walking or biking in the O? We want to see them! In an effort to document Oakland's emerging walking/biking culture, WOBO has set up a Flickr pool for all to see. Click here to join and start sharing your photos today!

Thursday, Nov. 19th – Oakland Bicycle & Pedestrian Advisory Committee Meeting

Oakland Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee Meetings are held in City Hall, Hearing Room 4 from 5:30-7:00 p.m. Hearing Room 4 is on the second floor, on the north side of the building. For more information see the City of Oakland's Bicycling and Pedestrian Website.

Friday, Nov. 20th – San Francisco Bicycle Ballet (Dogpatch Saloon, SF)

The San Francisco Bicycle Ballet rides for you at the Dogpatch Saloon in the Potrero/Dogpatch district of San Francisco. It's described as similar to synchronized swimming or marching bands (but on bikes) and will be viewed from above. Event begins at 8pm. For more information, click here.

Saturday, Nov. 21st – San Francisco Bike Expo (Cow Palace, Daly City)

This yearly event features everything bike: manufacturers, clothing, gear, local shops, and culture. With the Dirt Jump, Fashion Show, Trackstand Competition, BMX stunts, Cyclocross racing, and more! Event runs 10am-6pm. For more info, click here

Tuesday, Dec. 1st – WOBO's Fold-N-Stuff Party! (Oakland)

Please help WOBO fold and stuff our end of year appeal. With your help, we'll get over 1,000 pieces of mail out the door. This appeal will help WOBO make our $25K in challenge match grants and ensure that we'll have the funds to support our soon-to-be-hired Executive Director. Free beer, wine and thai food! Click here for more info.

Friday, Dec. 4th – EBBC's Velo Wonderland: Bike & Art Party (Oakland)

Join EBBC for their holiday party, featuring green and bicycle-related art, tasty snacks, music and great beer from Oakland's own Linden Street Brewery. Admission is free! It all happens at Uptown Body & Fender (401 26th Street, Oakland) from 6-10pm. For more info, click here.

Sunday, December 6th – Women of WOBO Ride: Tea & Cookies Ride

Bring your favorite teabag, a cup, and some cookies to share as we create a mobile tea party! We'll provide hot water for steeping at Dimond Park. The ride leaves from the Rockridge BART station at 10am and will follow established bike routes through the foothills. Any and all female-identified people are invited to participate. Please RSVP to shannon@walkoaklandbikeoakland.org by Wednesday, December 2nd with your name, email, and phone number. Click for complete details.

Sunday, Dec. 6th – SFBC 14th Annual Winterfest Party (SomArts, SF)

Winterfest is a festive evening filled with the good cheer of cyclists, amazing local art and great deals on bike gear, local goodies and bike crafts. Expect New Belgium Beer, DJ's, valet bike parking and a photo booth, along with the great feeling of knowing you're supporting San Francisco's most effective bicycle advocacy organization. For complete event details, click here.

There are lots of oddball (often handbuilt) bikes out there, including the Buscycle and the Conference Bike. However, as odd as those two might seem, they're nothing compared with some of the bike-building insanity that goes on out in the world. Since you're unlikely to encounter pedal-powered marvels like the Couch Bike and Shopping Cart Bike in the wild, check out this collection of wacky bikes. I have friends that build crazy bike contraptions, and even I was amazed at some of the bikes on the site. My favorite: the Circle Bike (on page 2).

Thanks to a Streetsblog article from last week, we learned there's a new iPhone app for cyclists called CycleTracks, created by the San Francisco County Transportation Authority (TA). According to the TA's website: "CycleTracks uses the iPhone's GPS support to record your bicycle trips, display maps of your rides... By using CycleTracks, you'll be helping San Francisco's transportation planners better understand the needs of cyclists – and you'll get to see maps and statistics of your rides." Although they'll only be using the data from rides in San Francisco as a planning aid, there's nothing to indicate that this free app won't work everywhere. If you want to read about it or download it, give it a shot.