As the number of cyclists on the streets of Oakland has grown, cycling deaths remain rare.  Only one cyclist was killed in all of 2008.  Waves of concern recently radiated through the cycling community when two cyclists were killed in collisions in less than one month.

In 2006, a group of residents in the Oakland/Harrison Street neighborhood saw an opportunity in the proposed development of the new Whole Foods Store in their neighborhood. Through committed advocacy, they secured improved pedestrian access to the  neighborhood and new bicycle lanes. 

Rather than resting on their laurels, they decided to expand their success and create a citywide advocacy organization focused on bicycle and pedestrian issues.  That was the birth of Walk Oakland Bike Oakland (WOBO).  Kassie Rohrbach, a veteran organizer around issues of climate change and sustainable energy, became the group’s first Executive Director this January.