• 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.

WHEN: Tuesday, Sept. 22nd from 6:30-8:00pm
WHERE: B.A.W.T., 2301 Broadway (enter on 23rd)

Since attendees of past Volunteer Meetings have asked for more speakers on local bike/ped issues, expect to see more "special guests" at WOBO's monthly meetings. We're kicking things off with speaker Joel Peter, the Measure DD Coordinator, who will get us up to date on the Measure DD projects. We'll also talk about the status of WOBO campaigns in progress and leave time for announcements from attendees (just let us know before the meeting that you've got an event or info to share). As always, there will be snacks and lots of bike parking. See you Tuesday!

Thanks to generous grants from the Alliance for Biking and Walking and Trek Bicycles, WOBO is hiring its first Executive Director. We posted the job description just yesterday, and you can check it out right here. If you're interested, know someone who might be, or want to help us get the word out via the Internet, we'd appreciate any and all help spreading the news.

There's another way you can help: The two grants we received (totaling $25,000) are matching grants. To get all $25,000, we have to raise the same amount in matching donations by December 31st. Since the purpose of both the grant money and matching donations is to provide the salary of our Executive Director, for every one dollar you donate, you bring us two dollars closer to hiring a bike/ped guru who will add momentum to WOBO's campaigns. Every little bit helps, so please consider donating to WOBO.

WHEN: Monday, September 28th from 5:30-7:30pm
WHERE: Oakland City Hall, 1 Frank Ogawa Plaza - Hearing Rm 4
WHAT: "The Story of How Copenhagen Became a Cycling City" presented by Niels Jensen, plus a roundtable Q&A session with four German Marshall Cycling Delegates

In the 1970s, Copenhagen was an automobile-centric city, even though it had a substantial cycling population. Huge public demonstrations in the early 1980s resulted in significant changes in the city's transportation infrastructure. Since that time, Copenhagen has become of one the world's preeminent cycling cities. How did this transformation happen? What changes in policy and design made Copenhagen such a pro-cycling city? What benefits have the city and its people seen as a result?

WOBO is a local host to delegates from the German Marshall Fund's Transatlantic Cities Network. They'll be sharing their experiences and expert opinions on how and why Oakland can become a world-class cycling city.

A big shout out to Michael Stangl who is this month's rockstar volunteer for putting together last weekend's first-ever Bike Love Festival. The day-long event was attended by approximately 150 people and included 40 bike shops and private citizens selling bikes and bike parts, a raffle, an alleycat race and a post-swap BBQ. Overall, the event raised almost $1,000 for WOBO's campaigns! Thanks to everyone who came out on Saturday, and a special thanks to Michael and all the wonderful volunteers who helped make the event happen!

Lindsay Wasserberger, of Oakland North, provided some great coverage of the event. Check out her article and slideshow.

We have so many great volunteers doing tremendous work for us, and since they're doing it for love (of biking and walking in Oakland) and not money, we think they deserve some press. Starting this month, our e-newsletter will contain a regular feature highlighting our outstanding volunteers, and naming one special achiever as WOBO Volunteer of the Month.

This month we'd like to express our appreciation to Avery Patton, Amy Chen and Chris Fan who donated their time to do the not-so-exciting data entry piece of the Bike Broadway campaign's bike-counting field work. Extra-special recognition goes to Michael Stangl, our first-ever Volunteer of the Month, for setting up the Bike Love Festival, raising money for WOBO and giving Oaklanders a new outlet for the sharing of and basking in the love of all things bicycle.

Think you've got what it takes to be superstar volunteer? Come to Tuesday night's volunteer meeting and join the team!

Cycles of Change is an amazing local organization, and now there are two more reasons to celebrate (with) them: an Oakland Cycles of Change location and a 3rd Anniversary Party for the Alameda shop!

Enjoy a free benefit party for Cycles of Change APC at their Alameda shop (650 W. Ranger Ave) on September 27th from 1-4pm. Enjoy complimentary food and drink from Julie's Coffee and Tea, Rotten City Pizza, and Scream Sorbet, and live music courtesy of Rock the Bike's pedal-powered stage. Get more details here.

As for Oakland's new Cycles of Change shop, it's called "The Bikery" and you'll find it at 2289 International Blvd (at 23rd Ave). They're open Tuesday & Thursday from 2-6pm and the second and fourth Saturdays of the month from 11-5. Stop by for used bike sales, repairs and (sometimes) cupcakes! To contact them, email thebikery@cyclesofchange.org or call (510) 536-6732.

From now through the end of October, WOBO and Oakland Urban Paths will continue to send volunteers out on mini-expeditions in Oakland, in order to assess the physical condition of the city's hundreds of stairs and pathways. The gathered data will be the basis of a five-year prioritization plan for fixing these incredible assets.

The survey has already turned up a number of gems, including City Monument stamps, hidden canyon trails, gorgeous views, curious neighbors, and an updated 1959 inventory of City-owned right-of-ways which could serve as additional pedestrian connections.

Join us on this adventure! Visit the Oakland Urban Pathways website or follow us on Facebook.

As a kid, field trips were hit-or-miss - some cool, some cruel. But a trip down to San Jose to join the merriment of the San Jose Bike Party, that's a sure-fire win.

After coordinating with the SJBP, we've decided to head down to San Jose for next month's Bike Party on October 16th, with as many WOBO fans and bike fanatics as we can! The SJBP folks will make sure we're in the loop about the ride route (so we can get there and back smoothly via Caltrain), so all you need to do is decide on a costume (we'll make sure you know what the theme is), bring train fare, your bike and a good attitude, and join us for the ride! If you're interested in being part of October's SJ Bike Party, email Alec(at)walkoaklandbikeoakland.org for more info.

On October 7th, schools around the world will celebrate International Walk to School Day. Whether your school is celebrating it or not, the day provides a great opportunity to "find another way to school". Whether walking, biking, or carpooling, the trip gives you the chance to have a conversation with kids about transportation options, safety, the environment... or maybe you'll just enjoy the extra bonding time. As far as we're concerned, it's all good.

For more information on Walk to School Day, contact Nora Cody - Director of Alameda County's Safe Routes to Schools program - at SR2S@transformca.org or call (510) 740-3150.

It's been a crazy month at WOBO HQ, and although we've been out and about on foot and bike, we didn't have time to take photos of a mean, nasty, ugly pothole. So now it's up to you!

If you have a gnarly pothole you'd like to see repaired, send us a photo along with its location (bonus points if you report the bike-eater to the city and send us both before and after pictures). If we declare your pothole "King Hazard", not only will it become our next Pothole of Shame, but you'll get a free WOBO t-shirt. Send your monsters to Alec(at)walkoaklandbikeoakland.org.

10,000 Steps Exhibit: A Profile of 4 Squares

Please join us in celebrating the completion of 10,000 Steps' first phase of green art stewardship with downtown Oakland's historic parks and surrounding communities! This multimedia exhibit, at Pro Arts at the Oakland Art Gallery (in Frank Ogawa Plaza, across from City Hall) includes a wide range of exciting events, including guided walking tours and in-gallery interactive community-led demonstrations. The exhibit runs from 09/08/09 to 10/09/09.

PARK(ing) Day 2009

PARK(ing) Day is an annual, one-day, global event where artists, activists, and citizens collaborate to temporarily transform metered parking spots into "PARK(ing)" spaces: temporary public parks. Anyone can participate in PARK(ing) Day, though it is strictly a non-commercial project, intended to promote creativity, civic engagement, critical thinking, unscripted social interactions, generosity and play.

Bike Alameda's Kidical Mass

Kidical Mass is a legal, safe, free and FUN bike ride for kids, and their families. All types of bikes, trailers, trail-a-bikes, Xtracycles, tandems, folders, skuuts, trikes, and whatever rolls are welcome! For family fun on vehicles that don't hurt the future! 9:00 Check in, 9:30 bike safety demonstrations, 10:00 Ride starts, 11:00 Steel drum band concert, face painting and balloons provided by Alameda Towne Centre.

5th Annual Tour D'Oakland

Veloraptors, Inc. Presents the 5th Annual Tour D'Oakland. Choose a 35 or 20 miles ride to benefit Bay Area Outreach Program (BORP). BORP is a non-profit organization that provides recreation and activities for adults and children with physical disabilities such as cerebral palsy, blindness, quadriplegia, etc. $25.00 charitable donation requested from each rider. To register, contact Ron Scrivani at scrivanir@aol.com.

Oakland Kidical Mass

WOBO invites you to participate in a social ride for anyone interested in a kid-friendly, mellow bike ride. Expect a leisurely pace and relaxed atmosphere. Where you'll get to know others who move their families around Oakland by bike. Children under 18 should be accompanied by an adult to participate. See the WOBO Calendar for more information. Questions contact Mark@walkoaklandbikeoakland.org.

Tour de Fat 2009

Kick off this ballyhoo of bikes and beer with a fun and mellow bike cruise through Golden Gate Park with your most fabulous bike costume. Then enjoy the all-day solar-powered jamboree with live music, tasty eats, free bike valet, and, of course, delicious New Belgium beer! Join us for this fun-filled day in the park sponsored by our friends at the New Belgium Brewing company. New Belgium generously donates all the proceeds of this fun day to the SFBC and the Bay Area Ridge Trail Council. Visit sfbike.org/fat for more info.

Cycles of Change APC Bike Shop 3rd Anniversary Party

Yelp is hosting a free benefit party with food, drinks, and entertainment for the entire family on Sunday, September 27th to support the Cycles of Change APC Bike Shop. The benefit party will be fun for all ages with food, beverages, and entertainment generously donated by a number of sponsors.

Free Urban Bicycle Safety Classes

The East Bay Bicycle Coalition is again offering free bicycle safety classes this Fall. Each class consists of a 3.5 hour Traffic Safety 101 Classroom workshop (formerly Day One Street Skills) and a 6.5 hour Traffic Safety 101 Road Class (formerly known as Day Two Road I class) of on-bike instruction. We encourage you to take both Day One and Day Two and to entice you to do so, we'll give you a free front/back bike light upon completing the class. If, however, your time is limited, sign up for a Day One class. You can always take a Day Two class later. Register online at: www.ebbc.org/safety.

8th Annual Walk Against Domestic Violence

Walkers meet at the Lake Merritt Boat House in Oakland for a Walk Against Domestic and Teen Dating Violence. This is a collaborative effort by Communities-N-Concert, and Progressive Transitions, with support from the Alameda County Domestic Violence Coalition. Registration deadline is September 19th.

This month, it's one-stop shopping for bike fun. Ladies and gentlemen, I present to you Bike Portland.org. What's that you say? One link? And a link that doesn't look like much fun at that? Don't be too hasty.

Without Bike Portland, I wouldn't have heard about the Flaming Lips (rock band) looking for naked riders for an upcoming video shoot, a bike that was built to be a bar on wheels - complete with two taps and a sound system, a restaurant that now lets bikes in on the "drive thru" action, and bike racks that double as public art.

Bookmark the site. You'll thank me later.