In a city that prides itself on progressiveness, independence, and sustainability, Berkeley’s lack of bicycle safety on the streets prevents teens — the future of the city — from getting to school in a way that reflects the city’s values. This isn’t just an inconvenience, it’s a failure to empower the next generation and a missed opportunity to take on the climate crisis. Berkeley must prioritize safer, better- connected bike routes to give students the freedom to travel independently and safely.
“Not needing your par- ents to drive you constantly anywhere and just being able to go wherever you want, be it yourself or with friends, gives a lot of independence,” Julio Gonzalez, a Berkeley High School junior, said. Gonzalez frequently bikes around the city and advocates for safer, more sustainable transportation options. “Cars are dangerous and make streets unsafe in Berkeley and nationwide. Having safe, well-maintained, and protected bike lanes and pedestrian sidewalks drastically affects people’s ability, especially students to get around by themselves.”
“I feel like (biking) gives me more freedom because my parents don’t really have the responsibility of taking me to school, they just know I can do it myself,” Niko Izquierdo, a BHS freshman living in the Berkeley Hills, said, “It also builds trust because they can count on me to get wherever I need without them bothering me about timing.” Izquierdo also highlighted his appreciation for the many bike lanes in Berkeley but thinks there are too few in the hills, making biking harder and more dangerous for those living outside the flats.
However, not all students living in the hills view biking as the best way to get around. “Usually my mom or dad drives me to school,” Lucy Graham, a BHS freshman who also lives in the hills, said, “I find biking to be a very enjoyable activity, but for me, it is more of a form of exercise, than a form of transportation.” Without safe bike lanes, which reduce the visible examples of everyday biking, it’s easy to overlook its potential as a sustainable and efficient mode of transport. Graham also adds that geo- graphically, where she lives would be difficult to bike to and from due to the hilly areas and out of convenience, it makes more sense to be driven.
While some argue that there are safe routes, many protected bike lanes and bike boulevards fail to link up to form a fully connected network, leaving gaps that prevent cyclists from safely reaching destinations across the city. While Berkeley already has plans to create a well-connected low-stress network for biking, it doesn’t have the support or funding necessary. For example, a bike lane on Hopkins Street was planned but faced opposition due to concerns about neighbor- hood changes.
Not only would the plan to install bike routes improve the safety for students and give them independence, but would also address the prime greenhouse gas emissions source in Berkeley, which are cars. “If Berkeley calls itself a green city, and wants to take steps to being more climate neutral, they definitely need to keep the bike lanes implemented around the city,” Graham said.
The path to a safer, greener city is clear, but it’s up to the community to take the next step, such as supporting Measure FF, on the ballot this November. This measure will not only provide funding to pave Berkeley streets, but will also ensure that the safe bicycle infrastructure that teens need to get around Berkeley will be built. By supporting well-connected bike routes, we can empower students with the freedom to travel safely on their own, reduce the city’s carbon footprint, and truly live up to Berkeley’s reputation as a progressive and environmentally conscious place. “Protected bike lanes, smooth sidewalks, less car-centric infrastructure and instead, healthier and humane pro-pedestrian infrastructure can make a huge difference in people’s lives and wellbeing and can create a safer and more walkable Berkeley,” Gonzalez concluded.