A significant milestone towards improving road safety was marked today in Oakland as city officials and residents gathered for the groundbreaking of the Maia Correia Bikeway, a project aimed at enhancing safety for cyclists and pedestrians.
The event took place at Lakeshore Avenue and E. 18th Street, a site of profound tragedy where four-year-old Maia Correia lost her life two years ago in a bicycle accident involving her father.
City officials, including Mayor Barbara Lee, councilmembers Charlene Wang and Carroll Fife, and OakDOT Director Josh Rowan, expressed their collective desire to prevent future tragedies as they gathered to affirm their commitment to road safety.
“This project is coming to life as a result of concerns about our public safety, and of course, traffic safety is public safety,” Mayor Lee stated to a somber audience, many of whom were visibly emotional. She continued, “Too many of our residents are killed or injured while biking or walking on our streets. That’s unacceptable in a city that cares about all of its people.”
The new protected bike lane is expected to take at least a year to complete. It will include a separated two-way bikeway extending from El Embarcadero Avenue to E. 18th Street. Additionally, pedestrian bulbouts and refuge islands will be added, and the entire street will be repaved.
The tragic death of Maia Correia occurred on August 6, 2023, when she and her father were struck by a driver opening a car door without looking while they were biking near Hanover Avenue and Lakeshore Avenue.
In the wake of this heartbreaking event, community members rallied for a safer transportation infrastructure that would prevent similar incidents. Initial delays occurred due to funding issues, but the city eventually earmarked resources to facilitate the development of the new safety measures.
During the groundbreaking ceremony, the officials reflected on the change that has arisen from a community’s grief and determination to create safer streets. “Based on Oakland’s weather, we can be a true bike city,” Wang remarked, underscoring the need for meaningful infrastructure rather than just paint on the roads. “What we saw with Maia’s story is that paint alone is not protection. If we want to have a safer city, we need protected bike lanes.”
Rowan expressed gratitude to former councilmember Rebecca Kaplan for her strategic financial planning that made the project feasible. “Six months ago, we were worried this project wouldn’t make it,” he said, highlighting the urgency and importance of the initiative.
District 3 Councilmember Carroll Fife, who has spearheaded various community-led infrastructure programs, shared her feelings about the ripple effect of crises on safety measures. After the death of a Castlemont teacher due to reckless driving, quick responses, such as the installation of speed bumps, signified a shift towards more proactive safety measures. Fife articulated her hope that solutions should not only stem from crises, saying:
“I don’t want to have to wait for a crisis to have solutions.”
Debra Israel, speaking for Alameda County Supervisor Nikki Fortunato Bas, conveyed the emotional journey that Maia’s family endured following her death. Israel shared how the family’s determination to ensure safer roads became a crucial part of their grief.
“Losing Maia Correia was a heartbreaking tragedy. Like so many of you, her death hit me in my gut as a mother and as someone who bikes down Lakeshore,” Israel read from a prepared statement. The profound grief of the family resonated with many in attendance, emphasizing their commitment to championing safe biking conditions in Maia’s memory.
Maia’s family—her father, mother, and older brother—were present at the ceremony, participating in a symbolic act with golden shovels to mark the official launch of the project. An emotional moment came as a city worker unveiled a sign at the intersection that will designate the bike lane as the Maia Correia Bikeway.
Maia’s aunt, Sheila McCracken, alongside her grandparents, shared the overwhelming sorrow they experienced following the collision. “It’s a painful reminder of who our family has lost,” McCracken expressed, recounting the devastating phone call that forever altered their lives.
Richard McCracken, Maia’s grandfather, reflected on the support and understanding he found in sharing this sorrow with others who have endured similar tragedies. “I never wanted to pay the price to be here today,” he shared, noting the bond established through shared experiences of loss.
The ceremony culminated with heartfelt words from Maia’s grandmother, Hydeh Ghaffari, who delivered a touching tribute to her granddaughter, highlighting the joys that Maia brought into their lives. Ghaffari painted a picture of a vibrant child who loved storytelling, chocolate, and biking.
“Maia’s favorite colors are purple and pink, in that order. She loves wearing skirts with glitter on them. She loves putting glitter in her hair, her face, and on the furniture around the house,” she tearfully recalled.
As Ghaffari finished her tribute, she expressed gratitude for the support from local safe streets advocates, emphasizing their role in transforming grief into meaningful action.
“She was a kind and sweet soul, and her kindness would save lives,” she concluded, leaving a profound sense of hope and purpose among those present at the groundbreaking.
The Maia Correia Bikeway project stands as a testament to community resilience and the enduring impact of a family’s love, aiming to ensure that no other family experiences the loss of a child due to unsafe road conditions.
image source from：oaklandside
