2021 saw massive federal infrastructure bills passed along with new state laws that could help Oakland make its streets safer.
Author Archives: Jose Fermoso
Jose Fermoso covers road safety, transportation, and public health for The Oaklandside. His previous work covering tech and culture has appeared in publications including The Guardian, The New York Times, and One Zero. Jose was born and raised in Oakland and is the host and creator of the El Progreso podcast, a new show featuring in-depth narrative stories and interviews about and from the perspective of the Latinx community.
Posted inArts & Community
A winter transit tradition: AC Transit’s holiday bus runs for its 58th year
Since 1963 the Oakland-based transit agency has run the ‘Candy Cane Express’ and other holiday-themed buses to bring season’s greetings and free fares to riders.
Posted inRoad Safety
Heavy rain brings a flood-watch warning for Oakland
The National Weather Service issued the warning for much of the Bay Area, starting Monday at 4 p.m.
Posted inRoad Safety
Oakland has a shortage of school crossing guards
Oakland’s Department of Transportation has struggled this year to hire new guards, who play a key role in keeping elementary students safe around their schools.
Posted inHealth & Environment
Fixing Oakland’s roads: A conversation with transportation director Ryan Russo
OakDOT was created in 2016 with money and a mandate to make the city’s roadways safer. We sat down with the agency’s director to better understand its current priorities and challenges.
Posted inHealth & Environment
Cameras, cops, and red light-running: Can Oakland solve its collision problem?
We decided to take a look at the history of camera enforcement and other possible solutions.
Posted inHealth & Environment
A drunk driver crashed into a popular Oakland market. Now, it’s struggling to survive
Every year, cars destroy a handful of small businesses, upending shop owner’s lives and revealing street safety issues.
Posted inCity Hall
Alameda County Supervisor Wilma Chan killed by motorist while on morning walk
The former state assemblymember is being remembered as a tireless advocate for the county’s most vulnerable residents.
Posted inHealth & Environment
Oakland could soon reduce speed limits on dangerous streets. Will that make them safer?
A new state bill makes it easier for cities to lower speed limits. Some Oakland officials are optimistic it can reduce collisions, but others are skeptical.
Posted inHealth & Environment
Oakland’s roadways are among the deadliest in California. Help us investigate why
Over the next 8 months, we’ll be taking a deep dive into why our streets are so dangerous and what can be done about it.
Posted inArts & Community
Oakland will keep its protected bicycle lanes on Telegraph Avenue
But the years-long pilot project stoked conflicts between different communities and revealed problems with the city’s transportation planning process.
Posted inArts & Community
Walking with grief, love, and serenity on the East Bay’s secret stairs
During the pandemic, many Oaklanders have turned to Charles Fleming’s book about the old Key Route stairways and the adventures they offer in numbing times.
Posted inHealth & Environment
What do we know about Slow Streets and safety? Here’s what data and residents have to say
We’re taking a look at what’s working, what’s not, and how the city has received feedback.
Posted inCity Hall
Alameda County’s election was marred by systemic problems, say voting rights groups
Election monitors found that over 100 ballots were lost at an East Oakland voting center, and say language access laws weren’t followed at others.
Posted inCity Hall
What happens if Oakland voters don’t know their usual polling place is closed this year? These volunteers have a plan
A volunteer group is posting flyers at each of Oakland’s usual polling places to make sure voters know about this year’s 26 voting centers.
Posted inCity Hall
Voting in person for the 2020 election? Here’s what Oaklanders need to know
Worried about voter intimidation, lost mail, language barriers, COVID-19, or long lines? We looked into it for you, and spell out your rights.
Posted inCity Hall
How secure is voting-by-mail in Oakland?
After downtown mail boxes were removed last month, local postal workers and voters are staying vigilant. Here’s how the entire process works, and how to track your ballot as it travels through the mail.
Posted inBusiness
UPS deliveries in Oakland are collapsing under the pandemic
Customers and local employees are begging for help. The Oaklandside investigated.
