| Visit the "Biking Resources" tab above to learn more about biking in Alameda County! |
Plans and Programs
- Alameda Countywide Active Transportation Plan: About 13 percent of all trips in the county are made by bike and on foot, and many more walking and biking trips are made to connect to transit. To maximize the safety and comfort for people biking and walking in Alameda County, Alameda CTC has developed an Alameda Countywide Active Transportation Plan (CATP), which will serve as an update to our 2012 Bicycle and Pedestrian Plans. The first CATP combines updates of the Countywide Bicycle Plan and Countywide Pedestrian Plan. The CATP serves two purposes: 1) At the countywide level, the CATP includes analysis of low stress bike networks, identifies a countywide high injury pedestrian and bicycle network, evaluates major barriers to the bicycle and pedestrian network, and establishes a framework for prioritizing projects of countywide significance to inform decision-making around active transportation funding at Alameda CTC. 2) At the local level, the CATP provides resources to member agencies to help advance projects that provide complete, safe, and connected networks for biking and walking, including better connections to the regional transit network.
- Alameda CTC’s Bicycle and Pedestrian Program: Learn more about our planning efforts, funding for bicycle and pedestrian improvements, the Countywide Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee and more.
- COVID-19 Rapid Response Bicycle and Pedestrian Grant Program: In November 2020, the Alameda CTC Commission approved 13 projects as part of the COVID-19 Rapid Response Bicycle and Pedestrian Grant Program, wherein approximately $1.125M in Measure B Bicycle and Pedestrian Countywide Discretionary funds were made available on a non-competitive basis to support local jurisdictions as they implement quick-build transportation access and safety measures. For more information on this grant program and the approved projects, visit the staff report here.
Alameda County’s temperate climate and growing number of bicycle facilities makes biking an ideal way to get around. Bicycling is low-cost and non-polluting. More than that, it’s a healthy, fun way to start and end your day. When time is of the essence, bicycling to your destination helps you achieve your daily dose of heart-healthy exercise and reduces your stress.
Whether you're a regular bicyclist, just starting to think about biking, a parent who wants to bike with your kids to school, a college student or a senior, here are some fun and practical resources you can put to use.
- Find a route. Map a bike route that suits your needs and find other bicycling resources for the region.
- Improve your bicycling skills and register for a free bicycle safety course. Bike East Bay has certified trainers and offers courses for all ages and abilities all around the county.
- Get useful tips on how to get started if you’re new (or returning) to bike commuting.
- Bike with your child: Alameda CTC administers the Alameda County Safe Routes to Schools (SR2S) program to encourage students and their families to bike and walk to school, as well as bicycling skills classes geared toward kids and families:
- Find out if your school is part of the SR2S program and how you can sign up if it isn’t.
- You and your child can learn how to bike safely at a Family Cycling class.
- Find tips in this how-to manual for biking with kids of all ages.
- The BikeMobile is available to provide free bike repairs and safety information at school and community events. See the BikeMobile calendar and sign up here to have it visit your event.
- Find a Local Cycling Club or find a bike buddy to help you find a route and feel more confident on the road.
- Women and girls: Find out about recreational cycling clinics and events at Velo Girls’
- Bay Area Bike Challenge
- Team up and ride with friends and co-workers during Bike Month with the Love to Ride Bay Area Bike Challenge. See how many miles you can log throughout the month and compete with other teams around the Bay Area.
- Learn About Bike Month and Bike to Wherever/School/Work Day, organized by Bike East Bay.
Bicycle Organizations in Alameda County
Find out more about how you can get involved in bicycling and bike policy and advocacy in your community through these local organizations:- Bike East Bay works for safe, convenient and enjoyable bicycling for all in the East Bay.
- Albany Strollers and Rollers focuses on making it easier and safer to bike, walk, skate, scoot, roll, ride and just generally get around Albany.
- Bike Walk Alameda supports active and healthy citizens by promoting everyday walking and biking in and around Alameda.
- Pleasanton Bicycle Advocates seeks to improve the safety and efficiency of bicycling as an everyday means of transportation and recreation in and around Pleasanton.
- Walk Oakland Bike Oakland (WOBO) is a volunteer-driven organization whose mission is to improve neighborhood quality of life by making walking and biking in Oakland safe, easy, accessible and fun.
Local Agency Bicycle Resources
Find out what’s happening in your local community and get involved by using these resource lists:- Local agency bicycle and pedestrian staff contacts respond to community bicycle and pedestrian issues and concerns, and are involved in planning bicycle and pedestrian projects.
- Local Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committees (BPACs) are venues for community members to provide input on bicycle and pedestrian matters in their jurisdiction.
- Local bicycle master plans describe the planned bicycle network for a jurisdiction and steps that will be taken to implement an overall vision for improving bicycling.
Just a little time walking each day can make a huge difference. Pledge to walk more by joining the Step into Life Challenge! and tell us your inspiring and fun stories about your walking trips. Step into Life is a countywide walking program designed to inspire everyone living or working in Alameda County to enjoy the journey by walking. Step into Life focuses not just on exercise, but on encouraging people to walk for many of the trips they make each day.
Here are some simple ways you can add steps into your life:
- Visit with family and friends while walking
- Enjoy the fresh air and stride during lunch or breaks
- Get exercise with your kids by walking them to and from school - learn more at Alameda County Safe Routes to Schools
- Walk to local errands instead of driving
- Stride to the bus or BART
- Stroll with your dog every day
- Take the stairs instead of the elevator
- Motivate yourself by using a pedometer
