Support Complete Streets and Bike Lanes on Richmond Street in El Cerrito

​SHOW YOUR SUPPORT FOR RICHMOND STREET COMPLETE STREETS BY JULY 15!

​On Tuesday, July 15, the El Cerrito City Council will have a study session to learn more about the Richmond Street Complete Streets Improvement Project and existing city policies that promote safer streets. The project would include the conversion of some parking on Richmond Street (north of Moeser) into bike lanes, and opponents have organized to oppose the bike lanes and the entire project.

​Note that the council will not be voting on the projec at this meeting — that could happen later this summer. However, the council could direct the staff to reconsider the design that currently includes bike lanes north of Moeser. We need to show the council and community that there is a groundswell of support for the project and the conversion of some parking for bike lanes on the public right of way.

​Yes, I want to support Complete Streets on Richmond Street! Here’s how:

• ​Send an email soon to the city council (but no later than 2 p.m. on July 15) at cityclerk@ci.el-cerrito.ca.us. Even If you’ve written to the council previously or spoken at a meeting before, please write again NOW!

• ​Attend the city council meeting on July 15, 6 p.m. Check in with ECRA Walk & Roll outside before the meeting starting at 5:30 p.m. and get a bright “YES FOR SAFER, BEAUTIFUL, COMPLETE STREETS” sticker and sign to wear/display proudly. (Opponents of safer streets have been wearing huge, ugly NO stickers.)

• ​Speak during the public comment period. Tell the city council why you support safer, Complete Streets in El Cerrito! Share your story of walking and biking in El Cerrito and why it’s time to make streets like Richmond Street safer, more pleasant, and climate-friendly for all users. We will have comment cards available outside for you to fill out and give to the city clerk before the meeting. If you live on or close by Richmond Street, say that loudly and clearly at the beginning of your comments. Gather your thoughts beforehand and be prepared to speak for up to 3 minutes (the allowed time for comments will likely be 1, 2, or 3 minutes based on how many people sign up). Richmond Street residents (and those living nearby) and young people, including local children 8 years and older, who would like safer streets to ride and walk on to school are especially encouraged to make their voices heard during public comment. If you’ve spoken at a previous meeting, don’t hesitate to speak again! Opponents will be out in force to speak and we need your voice now more than ever. More info about speaking during public comment is here.

• ​If you are planning to speak, please ALSO send an email with your comments to cityclerk@ci.el-cerrito.ca.us.

• ​Submit comments on the Richmond Street Complete Streets design by July 9. The full project design plan is available on the project website and at city hall (Public Works first-floor front counter). Write to pworks@ci.el-cerrito.ca.us or mail your comments to Public Works Engineering, City of El Cerrito, 10890 San Pablo Avenue, El Cerrito, CA 94530. Final approval of the project design by the city engineer is expected in late July.

• ​Talk to your neighbors about why you support better bike and pedestrian infrastructure ALL around town (last time we checked, Ohlone Greenway does not go everywhere!) Ask your neighbors to send emails supporting the project to cityclerk@ci.el-cerrito.ca.us.

• ​If you cannot attend, watch the city council meeting on Zoom.

​Learn more about the Richmond Street Complete Streets Improvement Project and ECRA Walk & Roll’s efforts to provide evidence-based information and combat misinformation here. El Cerrito has posted tons of detailed information about the Richmond Street Complete Streets Improvement Project on the project website. Learn more on the Richmond Street page of our website and see our fact sheet.

​Suggested talking points (telling your own story is best!):

1. ​I want to live in a city where there is a citywide network of safe streets and bike lanes. We all love the Ohlone Greenway, but it does not go everywhere in town.

2. ​Richmond Street is currently a speedway where thousands of cars routinely exceed the speed limit on a daily basis. The redesigned Complete Street will be beautiful, with hundreds of new trees and state-of-the-art traffic calming measures. The whole city will benefit, but Richmond Street homeowners and residents will benefit most from living on a slower, calmer, prettier street.

3. ​Half of El Cerrito’s greenhouse gases come from transportation, according to the 2024 Climate Action and Adaptation Plan. If we are serious about solving the climate crisis, we must be forward-thinking about getting people out of their cars by providing safe and pleasant opportunities to bike throughout the town.

4. ​The Richmond Street Complete Streets Improvement Project is in full alignment with current city policies, including the Active Transportation Plan, Complete Streets Policy, and Climate Action and Adaptation Plan.

5. ​It’s impossible bike north-south around the PGE substation and a private condominium building to reach destinations such as the high school and middle school, pool, community center, and Cerrito Vista Park without taking Richmond Street. A bike lane on this stretch north of Moeser is critical for young people on their way to and from school, seniors on e-bikes, families on cargo bikes, and those traveling to and from the seven preschools and daycare centers that are on or within two blocks of Richmond Street north of Moeser.

6. ​If we let opponents have their way it sets a dangerous precedent that our city values overly abundant parking — 4.5 on-and off-street spots per household in El Cerrito! — over safer streets and an interconnected network of bike infrastructure.