Thanks for reporting this. Last year I actually put in a crosswalk request with the city for Genoa crossing 55th, which was initially rejected. I then noted that using the city's own "crosswalk matrix" decision guide one was indeed mandated for that intersection, after which public works capitulated and said they would put in a work order. That was March 2012.

I have tried following up it recently by leaving voicemail messages for public works and the transportation services division but have not heard back at all. A crosswalk is the bare minimum that could be done here to make crossing the street easier, so it is frustrating that even this is difficult to accomplish. If you are interested in helping bug them until they actually complete the work, the phone number to call is 510-238-3466, and the service request number is 400878.

I personally think a stop sign isn't the way to go, by the way, as we already have way too many stop signs and red lights on bike routes, which has the unintended effect of training bicyclists to start ignoring them. Anything that can done to slow traffic to legal speeds, however, would be appreciated and would make it easier for pedestrians to assert their right of way when crossing 55th at Genoa.

Hi Robert,
thanks for commenting on this. Do you know other people on the street or neighborhood who are concerned as well? While I am concerned about the speeds on 55th and the intersection of Genoa, I actually think simply adding a cross walk without any other signage or traffic calming device will not be effective. I have tried to cross streets with only a crosswalk and it takes a concerned motorist to stop and a very long time to be able to cross the street. If motorists are not instructed to stop they do not. I agree that stop signs are commonly ignored by some bicyclists, but I think that the benefits outweigh that, but of course I am open to other thoughts of what could work in that intersection. I did call regarding your previous request and I was told it was closed. Have you called lately?

I agree that a crosswalk is not enough, but it is a start and something that can be accomplished in the short term for very little expense. Larger scale traffic calming will require a community input process, traffic studies, and more funding to complete.

My crosswalk request was indeed listed as "closed", but I was told that was because it was approved and forwarded on to the Transportation Services Division to create a work order for the paint job. However, nothing has happened for over a year so they either lied to me or just forgot about it. I'll give them another call about it myself, and hopefully get through to a person this time.

Regarding the overuse of stop signs in Oakland, my position is that they should be used for right of way assignment, and not for traffic calming. There are a lot of other tools the city can use for more effective traffic calming which will work for the full block, not just the intersections. By relying on stop signs motorists will just gun it from one to the next, which doesn't provide a complete street and safe environment overall.

Or a regular police presence generating revenue for the city from traffic stops. I imagine that some of the people breaking these laws have broken other laws; you never know who you might catch.

I am not necessarily for or against any particular tactic, but I would rather put the time and money into something that will be effective so that what money is spent is worth it. A police presence could work, but it sounds as though Oakland is already short on police and most resources will probably go towards more violent crimes... nonetheless I am please to have a dialogue and would be interested to see what type of ideas could come out of looking at how to manage traffic flow as a whole on 55th street.

I made some more calls and sent some more emails last week and lo-and-behold, the crosswalk I requested at Genoa and 55th was finally painted today! Only 1 year and 2 months from when I requested it as well (sarcasm).

I know that this is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to truly making the street safe and calming traffic speeds, but at least it's a start! Try crossing the street at that location this week and let me know if it is any easier for you or if you see any reductions in vehicle speeds. In the meantime, the Oakland Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee meets every third Thursday (May 16) from 5:30-7:30pm at Oakland City Hall (Sgt Daniel Sakai Hearing Room, 2nd floor) to talk about upcoming plans and projects. The meetings are casual and open to the public, and are a good way for you to interact with city staff first hand, ask questions, and find out how to help initiate a large scale calming project.

I live at 55th and Genoa. I think the best solution is the flashing lights in the street indicating people are about to cross.

55th Street is used by fire trucks, ambulances and police cars. I think the city is unable to add certain types of traffic control solutions because 55th Street is an emergency corridor. I don't know what is restricted specifically but I think speed bumps and traffic circles are not allowed. As for stop signs, I don't know.

While I do agree that some drivers, esp. loud motorcyclists, speed down the street, I am just extra careful crossing it, which I do often. If it takes me a few minutes to wait, esp. during rush hour, I'll wait. Most of the time, I cross the street when it's not a busy time of the day. So sometimes, I don't need to wait.

Sometimes I also get annoyed when drivers tailgate me when I slow down to turn into my driveway, esp. since I signal well in advance. But I remind myself, I'm in control. They will slow down or go around me. If they rear end me, it's their fault.