Oakland leaders vote to add protected bike lanes to Grand Avenue

OAKLAND, Calif. (KGO) -- Oakland took another step to become more bike-friendly. The city council voted to build dedicated bike lanes on Grand Avenue between Elwood Avenue and Jean Street, but there is opposition.

The city of Oakland says Grand Avenue, near Lake Merritt, is one of the most dangerous roads for cyclists in the city.

Just ask Erick Garcia who rode his bike to the Grand Lake Theater. He told ABC7 News, "Cars [are] moving in front, you've got to move around. You never know if someone is going to come hit you from the side."

Currently, Grand Avenue has two lanes in each direction with diagonal parking on each side. The city plan would add bike lines on both sides from Elwood Avenue to Jean Street. But it would reduce Grand Avenue to just one lane for cars in each direction, with a turning lane in the middle.

"To me, they (the city council) always struck me as anti-business," said Grand Lakes Theater owner Allen Michaan.

Michaan is so upset about this issue he spelled out his message on the Grand Lake marque. It reads: "Stop the insane scheme to reduce busy Grand Ave to only one lane! Attend the city council Tuesday 7PM."

Michaan says drivers waiting for cars to pull out of parking spaces will cause long delays.

"People will come there, encounter this traffic gridlock that is certain to occur at busy times, and they won't come back," Michaan said.

However, Mayor Libby Schaaf believes the bike lanes will actually make the Grand Lakes District more attractive.

"Improving our bike and walkability is an important part of increasing economic development, as well as creating a great quality of life," Schaaf said.

The public works committee, consisting of four council members, passed the proposal unanimously and on Tuesday night the full council approved the plan.