Residents of Oakland interested in enhancing the city’s walkability and cycling infrastructure have an exciting opportunity to make a significant impact.
The Oakland Bicyclist & Pedestrian Advisory Commission (BPAC) is currently seeking applicants for three open seats.
These terms begin on January 1, 2026, and applications are due by September 11.
Jason Patton, an engineer with the Oakland Department of Transportation and the primary liaison to the commission, highlighted the importance of the departing commissioners.
Patricia Schrader, Grey Gardner, and Dianne Yee have laid a robust foundation during their tenure and their departure marks the end of an era for the commission.
Patton noted, “Patricia has deep connections to Deep East Oakland neighborhood groups that have been valuable; Grey has been a strong advocate for quick-build projects and improving projects in shorter timelines; and Dianne has been a transit professional at Bay Area agencies with a lot of history in Oakland.”
The BPAC consists of nine members appointed by the City Council for staggered three-year terms.
Each year, three seats are opened for applications, and the commission subsequently recommends candidates to the mayor, who forwards a slate to the City Council for approval in November or December.
This is a call-out for all Oakland residents, particularly those with a passion for walking, bicycling, and creating safe streets.
Patton emphasized the commission’s desire for diverse perspectives.
The recruitment committee is keen to include individuals who represent underserved areas or communities in Oakland, such as residents from Deep East Oakland or those living with disabilities.
“They [the commission] are interested in various points of view because it provides rich input to the commission,” Patton remarked.
The BPAC has a history of featuring commissioners who are long-time advocates for cycling and pedestrian safety.
Notable members have included Dave Campbell from Bike East Bay and Chris Hwang, president of Walk Oakland Bike Oakland.
The commission was originally established in 2014, replacing the earlier Bicycle & Pedestrian Advisory Committee founded 20 years prior.
Both groups emerged under Metropolitan Transportation Commission requirements, ensuring that citizen-led organizations are included in decision-making processes related to road development and policy to secure vital state and regional funding.
Throughout its evolution, city staff and BPAC commissioners have worked diligently to formalize the commission’s activities.
This includes public information dissemination and assigning the commission chair the responsibility of delivering an annual report to the City Council.
Gardner, one of the departing commissioners, pointed out that the BPAC also has been pivotal in advocating for improved transparency in city data concerning traffic speeds.
Before joining the BPAC, Gardner had an extensive background in cycling and was a member of Transport Oakland.
His journey into advocacy began by attending commission meetings, where he gained insights into the city’s transit challenges.
This experience inspired him to actively participate and contribute to the betterment of Oakland’s transportation landscape.
“I just started going regularly to the meetings, listening and learning, and when an opening came up, it was a progression,” Gardner explained.
His commitment stems from a desire to prevent Oakland from lagging behind cities worldwide that have advanced pedestrian and cyclist infrastructure.
This resolve includes engagement with external agencies like Caltrans and the Metropolitan Transportation Commission, positively impacting Oakland’s streets.
Despite the BPAC’s advisory role, Gardner illustrated their unrestrained approach: “The BPAC’s mandate is to advise the City Council, but we’ve never felt limited about making our opinion known to other entities.”
Monthly BPAC meetings take place every third Thursday at City Hall from 6 to 8:30 p.m., a shift designed to foster greater transparency and accessibility.
These sessions have evolved into essential forums where community members can express their concerns and get detailed answers from city staff on road projects.
Patton affirmed the commission’s growing accountability, stating, “We’ve increasingly been a body that holds the city more accountable, the City Council more accountable, making demands for safety and traffic calming.”
A notable example of the BPAC’s influence emerged during discussions surrounding a significant $6 million project on Telegraph Avenue in the Koreatown Northgate neighborhood.
The proposal for protected bike lanes, which had faced delays due to business concerns over parking loss, eventually gained momentum through the public discourse fostered during commission meetings.
The advocates for pedestrian and cycling safety worked tirelessly to make their case, ultimately leading to the city leadership’s decision to proceed.
“It was a really important discussion,” Patton recalled.
The outcome not only reflected the community’s collective voice but also illustrated the value of an engaged commission in shaping urban infrastructure.
As the application deadline approaches, Oaklanders passionate about walking and bicycling have a vital chance to contribute meaningfully to their city’s transportation future.
image source from：oaklandside
