Oakland won a $14 million State grant to provide a once-in-a-generation investment in safety and community-driven aesthetic improvements on 14th Street From Brush Street to Lakeside Drive/Oak Street.
14th Street is a great local street and a key bike route connection to Downtown. It connects both East Lake and West Oakland to popular destinations Downtown such as City Hall, BART, and a growing number of restaurants, night clubs and clothing shops. The problem–no bike lanes. Because 14th Street is not a major arterial nor a major bus corridor, it is a great candidate for a redesign for better walking and bicycling. Thanks to our persistence in pushing for safety improvements, Oakland received a $10.5 million State Active Transportation grant in December 2016 to completely redesign the street with protected bike lanes and safe pedestrian crossings.
WOBO members have remained committed to this campaign over the past few years. We were out on the street talking with commuters and local businesses, organized morning energizer stations on Bike to Work Day, and helped develop the concept for 14th Street (shown above). Things finally started to happen in 2015, when Plan Downtown Oakland launched, which redesigned 14th Street with world-class bikeways. With the new OakDOT, new grant, and passage of the voter-approved $600 million from Measure KK in 2016, 14th Street has a bright future for local businesses, residents and commuters alike.
The project’s goals include:
- improve the connection to Downtown for people walking, biking, and taking transit
- install pedestrial-scale sidewalk lighting to improve nighttime visibility
- improve transit reliability for the 14, one of the busiest bus lines in the City
During public outreach meetings in 2019, the City heard from residents and made changes to the project, incorporating:
- an expanded sidewalk plan for the core commercial block from Webster to Harrison, with a raised bike lane and more pedestrian space
- the removal of a lane and installation of angled parking on 13th Street to add parking spaces and calm traffic
- more sidewalk lighting for visibility after dark
- more funding to the City’s Public Art Program, to install community-led public art on the corridor
- monthly parking spaces at a 50% discount to local business owners and employees
- parking validation to area merchants at a 50% discount
- more trees and landscaping, along with canopies, seating, and amenities on transit boarding islands
Project Updates
Update Summer 2026:
Construction has begun on this project, and it is expected to be complete by August 2026.
For more information see the City Of Oakland’s project page for 14th St.
- Please contact Charlie Ream at CReam@oaklandca.gov with any questions re: the 14th St. Safety Project or to set up a video or small in-person briefing on the project.
- Shop the businesses on 14th Street and make sure they know you walk and bike to shop.
- We want your pretty neighborhood photos! Take a flattering picture of your neighborhood’s street and send it to: info@wobo.org. We’ll use it to promote positive change.
- Patronize the business and get to know the manager/owner.
- Request a bike rack at your favorite business (or on-street bike corral.
- Remind business owners that the City of Oakland will install free bike racks on the sidewalk in front of their business. All they have to do ask.
- Anyone can request a free rack to be placed on City-owned property. Please use the Online Request Form OR contact the Bicycle & Pedestrian Facilities Coordinator (no need to do both): (510) 238-3983
- If the business already has a bike rack out front, thank them for that and let them know you appreciate it. Don’t be shy about bringing your bike helmet inside with you as a good prop!
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