Last night, January 28, the biking and walking advocacy group Walk Oakland, Bike Oakland (WOBO) introduced its volunteer base to their new Executive Director Kassie Rohrbach and shared a glimpse of their ambitious 2010 plans. OL was at the meeting and shares this account with you.

Rohrbach joined the WOBO team not only as its first Executive Director, but its first salaried staff member.  In its 3 years of advocating for a more bikeable and walkable Oakland, the group has relied almost entirely on volunteers. But there is simply too much to do--they realized they need a point person dedicated to advancing the mission.  Just two-week into her new position, Rohrbach comes on board an organization with momentum and good recent press, but also with a full plate of campaigns and partnerships.

On the 2010 agenda is continued work on their anchor campaigns of improving the Harrison-Oakland Ave. area around the 27th St. Whole Foods and Bike Broadway, which has the goal of completing a continuous north-south 5-mile bike lanes from North Oakland to downtown via Broadway, Webster, and Franklin. 

(WOBO is also teaming up with Urban Paths to restore Oakland's 250+ historic pathways and stairs.  To get involved contact Paul Rosenbloom: prosenbloom@gmail.com)

New on the agenda is Oaklavia, Oakland's response to San Francisco's Sunday Streets. If you had a chance to visit one of last year's nine Sunday Streets you will know that these car-free zone street fairs are a lot of fun.  Oaklavia's slogan is "Come Play in the Street"--in addition to biking, walking, and roller skating through a long stretch of Oakland closed off to vehicles, various street activities are planned, ranging from yoga to bike tune-ups to urban agriculture. 

The project is being coordinating by Karen Hester, who encourages people to contact her to get involved in whatever way they can-- whether they are part of an organization or business that wants to partner with WOBO, have funding connections, or are part of a group that may want to do practical demonstrations showcasing the best of Oakland.  WOBO staff predict that Oaklavia will not only be fun and build community, it will push WOBO and a bike- & ped-friendly Oakland to the next level.

This first year there will be 2 Oaklavias: June 27th along Broadway & Telegraph from Grand Ave. to Jack London and October 10 in Fruitvale.  Keep an eye out for updates as we get closer.

To get involved:

Contact Karen Hester, karen@walkoaklandbikeoakland.org, 510-654-6346

Upcoming WOBO event:

An Evening with Willie Weir, author of Travels With Willie, a benefit for WOBO:

DETAILS: Friday, February 19th at 7pm at Oakland's Humanist Hall (390 27th Street, between Telegraph & Broadway). Tickets: $5 WOBO members, $10 non-members. Special $25 annual WOBO membership (including event ticket) will be available at the door. The book Travels with Willie will be available for purchase for $15 (cash only). All ticket revenue and a portion of book sales will benefit WOBO.