Skip to Content
Streetsblog California home
Streetsblog California home
Log In

Note: GJEL Accident Attorneys regularly sponsors coverage on Streetsblog San Francisco and Streetsblog California. Unless noted in the story, GJEL Accident Attorneys is not consulted for the content or editorial direction of the sponsored content.

Late last week the city of Alameda did a quick reconfiguration of Park Street, converting a stretch of its former six-lane configuration (two lanes in each direction for car traffic, plus two additional lanes for parking) into a street designed to prioritize more than cars.

It now has only one lane in each direction for motor-vehicles, plus parking, plus a lane for outdoor dining. As seen in the lead image, the new treatment runs from Encinal to Santa Clara, with more planned between Santa Clara and Lincoln.

From Alameda's web page about the "Commercial Streets Program," a response to the need for social distancing in the time of COVID:

This program streamlines the permit approval process for expanding dining and retail into new parklets (using parking spaces) and the sidewalks. The program will also repurpose the roadway along core parts of Park and Webster Streets to greatly increase the area available for outdoor dining and retail. City staff worked closely with the Downtown Area Business Association (DABA) and the West Alameda Business Association (WABA) to develop this new program, which will support the health of our businesses and the community.

In other words, Alameda has built parking protected restaurant dining lanes.

Unfortunately, the rising COVID case load in Alameda County and the subsequent backpedaling on allowing outdoor dining has put a damper on the plans--for now. But advocates for safe and livable streets see the new street configuration as a positive development regardless.

"My new mantra. Keep the lanes for bikes and walking. Keep the lanes for bikes and walking. Keep the lanes for bikes and walking," wrote Lucy Gigli of Bike Walk Alameda, in a post on social media about the new configuration.

Brian McGuire of the city of Alameda clarified in a social media post that this is "not a bike lane," but rather "extra space for outdoor dining/retail/social distancing." However, he admits that it "Looks very bike lane-ish though since the tables and chairs and parklets aren't there yet."

https://twitter.com/brianrmcguire/status/1281660393987829762

"Both the business district and the city are closely monitoring this project, with the idea that some form of it might continue after things are 'back to normal,' if it’s a success," wrote Rochelle Wheeler, Senior Transportation Coordinator for the city of Alameda, in an email to Streetsblog. As it turns out, the city is presenting plans for bike lanes on Park later this week. "Both Park Street options include adding bicycling facilities to the street, and one includes a floating bus stop."

As mentioned, a similar dining-lane project is planned for Webster, from Lincoln to Taylor. And the Park Street project might be extended to San Jose Avenue.

Streetsblog took a tour of the area this morning by bike, and it's certainly easier and safer to ride on the stretch with this new treatment. There's still too many construction signs in the "dining lane" to try biking in it. But it's easy to imagine that this new basic configuration is here to stay. And as McGuire wrote in his tweet, it's a testament to how fast cities can bring changes to our streets.

A few more photos below:

Alameda workers re-striping Park Street last week. Photo: City of Alameda
Alameda workers re-striping Park Street last week (it's unfortunate that the one worker is wearing his mask improperly in a photo promoted by the city). Photo: City of Alameda
false
Converting these dining areas to protected bike lanes will take another step or two. Photo: Streetsblog/Rudick
Converting these dining areas to protected bike lanes won't take much. Photo: Streetsblog/Rudick
false
The intersection of Park and Central. Photo: Streetsblog/Rudick
The intersection of Park and Central. Photo: Streetsblog/Rudick
false

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More from Streetsblog California

Metro Ridership Snapshot Suggests Added Service, Bus Lanes, and Walk/Bike Projects Increase Riders

Overall Metro ridership grew 7.5 percent year-over-year, but some rail and bus lines grew 10-20+ percent. SBLA explores factors that influenced outsized system-leading ridership increases.

November 8, 2024

Safe-Streets Politicians Gain in the Bay Area

Against the national news of suck, here's a bit more good news around the Bay Area

November 8, 2024

Friday Video: Would Our Cities Be Better Off Without Public Hearings?

Is the way America does public hearings making our cities more democratic, or obstructing the kinds of human-centered projects we need most?

November 8, 2024

Friday’s Headlines

It's climate change; Walk in L.A.; Silicon Valley ridership has recovered; LCFS debate still focusing on gas prices; More

November 8, 2024

Eyes on the Street: 57/60 Freeway Confluence Construction in Progress

New off-ramps have begun to sprout out of the dirt, and widening surface streets are going through the growing pains of construction closures

November 7, 2024
See all posts