Robert Prinz
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prinzrob.bsky.social
Robert Prinz
@prinzrob.bsky.social
1.7K followers 320 following 8.8K posts
Advocacy Director at BikeEastBay. See me for bicycle culture & transportation infrastructure news on the sunny side of the Bay. My posts are my own.
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prinzrob.bsky.social
The difference in pavement quality for the bike lanes vs car travel lanes on Lakeshore Ave in Oakland is a pretty clear visual representation of how much less damage bikes do to our roadways.
November 11, 2025 at 5:17 PM
prinzrob.bsky.social
As a rule of thumb, established bike brands are usually better about the proprietary stuff, compared to ebike-only brands, or non-bike companies trying to “innovate” in the ebike sector.
Photo of a person sitting on a Rivian ebike with many custom parts
November 11, 2025 at 4:19 PM
prinzrob.bsky.social
Thanks to everyone who came out for today’s @bikeeastbay.bsky.social ride across the Richmond-San Rafael Bridge. We have NOT given up the fight for 24/7 trail access. Visit BikeEastBay.org/RSR to learn more & stay involved.
Photo of a large group of people biking in the street wearing colorful clothes and helmets. A silhouette of Mt Tamalpais appears along the skyline. A photo of a large group of bicycle riders heading uphill on the Richmond-San Rafael Bridge trail.
November 9, 2025 at 9:45 PM
prinzrob.bsky.social
So many @bikeeastbay.bsky.social events today through Monday!

Sat Nov 8 ebike test track @ Oakland Coliseum:
bikeeastbay.org/event/e-bike...

Sun Nov 9 Richmond Bridge trail ride:
bikeeastbay.org/event/richmo...

Mon Nov 10 Pittsburg bike trails ribbon cutting ride:
bikeeastbay.org/event/pittsb...
Two people standing next to an ebike and putting on their bike helmets “6 YEARS STRONG, BRIDGE ON! CELEBRATE THE JOURNEY I FIGHT FOR ACCESS SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 2025 STARTS & ENDS @ RICHMOND BART MEET 10:00 AM I ROLL 10:30AM OPTIONAL HAPPY HOUR @ ARMISTICE BREWING ACCESS FOR ALL! CELEBRATING 6 YEARS OF THE TRAIL PROTESTING CLOSURES” “Pittsburg BART Bike Trails Grand Opening MONDAY, NOVEMBER 10 Ride with Bike East Bay to the event!”
November 8, 2025 at 3:52 PM
prinzrob.bsky.social
Another new quick-build mini post-separated bikeway in Oakland spotted tonight, this time on northbound Market St north of 18th St.
November 7, 2025 at 3:08 AM
prinzrob.bsky.social
New quick-build upgrades from painted buffer to post-separated bikeways on Mandela/3rd St south of W Oakland BART are underway now as well (thx @bryanculbertson.com for the video!)
November 6, 2025 at 8:53 PM
prinzrob.bsky.social
Still dumpsters in the lane as of just now, but no parked cars! The design plan shows a few more posts still to be added toward the Telegraph end of the block.
November 4, 2025 at 9:55 PM
prinzrob.bsky.social
Quick build separated bikeway upgrade installation underway now, 17th Street In Downtown Oakland from San Pablo Ave to Telegraph.
November 4, 2025 at 5:36 PM
prinzrob.bsky.social
Darker evenings PLUS some real rain in the forecast this week. Here’s a CA law bike lights/reflectors graphic from @bikeeastbay.bsky.social.

What are your favorite night riding or wet weather biking tips?
“The state of California requires the following on every bike after dark: red rear reflector Visible 500’ behind White headlamp visible 300’ front and sides Peda reflectors white or yellow can be worn on shoe or ankle Side reflectors white or yellow on the spokes, tires or elsewhere Recommended: Red rear light(s). Exceed the minimum on the front/rear/sides Bike East Bay
November 4, 2025 at 3:44 PM
prinzrob.bsky.social
The 15 mph allowances are a pretty recent development in CA. Here's the guidance, only requiring that the speed be set using "engineering judgement" & an ordinance declaring the specific locations & speed limits.
dot.ca.gov/-/media/dot-...
"2.12 Speed Limits for Functionally Classified Local Street or Road CVC Section 40802 (b)(1) states that a city or county may set a speed limit, without the need of an E&TS for a local street or road defined as: • A road with the functional classification designated as "local" on the "California Road System" (CRS) maps that are approved by the Federal Highway Administration and maintained by the Department of Transportation, or • A road that primarily provides access to abutting residential property and meets the following three conditions: • Roadway width of not more than 40 feet. • Not more than one-half of a mile of uninterrupted length. Interruptions shall include official traffic control signals as defined in Section 445. • Not more than one traffic lane in each direction. This allows city and counties the opportunity to establish a reasonable speed limit on functionally classified "local" roadways without the need for extensive resources while providing law enforcement the California Manual for Setting Speed Limits 22 Chapter 2 Regulatory and Advisory Speed Limits March 2025 means to monitor and cite drivers exceeding the speed limits. A city or county would identify those "local" streets or roads that meet these conditions, evaluate the facility and then, using sound engineering judgement, may declare a speed limit of 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45 or 50 that is more than is reasonable and safe upon the portion of roadway. The city or county would issue an ordinance declaring the speed limits and the physical limits of the speed zone. As this is exempt from the "speed trap" law, the established speed limit is for perpetuity, until the governing city or county declares otherwise. No additional studies must maintain enforceability as long as the street or roadway remains classified as "local" on the CRS maps, or the 3 conditions remain in effect."
November 4, 2025 at 12:46 AM
prinzrob.bsky.social
Second week of the Richmond-San Rafael Bridge trail closure. Heck of a job, @mtcbata.bsky.social!
Google Maps traffic map showing heavy car congestion leading to the westbound entrance of the Richmond San Rafael bridge
November 3, 2025 at 3:53 PM
prinzrob.bsky.social
Thanks @cityofoakland.bsky.social DOT for following up on my request for bike racks outside Happy Hound dog boarding in W Oakland!

Anyone can submit an Oakland bike rack request, just fill out the form linked here:
👇👇👇

www.oaklandca.gov/Public-Safet...
Photo of 2 sidewalk bike racks by Happy Hound in W Oakland
November 3, 2025 at 12:41 AM
prinzrob.bsky.social
Here's the project landing page:
www.oaklandca.gov/Government/O...

And the survey results are included in the BPAC meeting minutes here:
www.oaklandca.gov/files/assets...
November 2, 2025 at 7:16 PM
prinzrob.bsky.social
Here’s a video of the SJ example from 2022. It curb-separates the outside lanes to create a space that bikes can use for through movements, shared only with residents & delivery or emergency vehicles going to/from driveways. OakDOT could have also included speed humps & protected intersections.
November 2, 2025 at 6:48 PM
prinzrob.bsky.social
This Dec 2023 masters degree report studied bikeway blockages in Oakland, and observed that physically separated bikeways saw <1/2 as many blockages as painted bikeways.
www.sjsu.edu/urbanplannin...
"Recommendation #1: Build more Class IV Protected Bike Lanes. Both cities saw a far lower number of obstructions in protected bike lanes as opposed to painted or buffered bike lanes (Class II). The number of Class Il obstructions was over two times greater in Oakland (2.07) and San José (2.14) than obstructions in Class IV bikeways. Planner interviews concurred with the findings of this study - they do find that building protected bikeways works to reduce obstructions, however this is more of a side benefit. Creating safer bikeway networks is the" "primary goal of both study cities. That said, planners at both cities sited protected bike lanes as one of the best tools at their disposal to reduce obstructions, noting that protected bike lanes are the most visible, clear option to designate space exclusively for cyclists. The first chapter of this report effectively details the existing literature showing that actual and perceived safety of cyclists is higher in protected bike lanes. The findings of this report show that obstructions in these lanes are less common. This only adds to the actual safety of riding in a protected lane."
November 2, 2025 at 3:19 PM
prinzrob.bsky.social
It's impossible to know whether this would have made a difference, but I've been in contact w Union City staff for over a year regarding their Decoto Rd paving project which failed to implement physically protected bike lanes as recommended in their 2021 bike plan.
photo of Union City Blvd with a painted curbside bicycle lane and no physical separation
November 2, 2025 at 1:02 AM
prinzrob.bsky.social
From the first morning of the trail closure. Mission accomplished, everyone!
Google Maps traffic view screenshot showing large delays on the approach to the Richmond-San Rafael Bridge
October 31, 2025 at 7:21 PM
prinzrob.bsky.social
The Alameda County program is also eligible to any Ava Community Energy customers, which includes residents further east in Tracy, Lathrop, and Stockton too!
avaenergy.org/community/wh...
October 31, 2025 at 5:21 AM
prinzrob.bsky.social
On Mon, Nov 10, I'm leading a @bikeeastbay.bsky.social ride to Pittsburg's new bike/walk trail grand opening celebration. The project connects the Delta De Anza Trail to the Railroad Ave eBART station! Details & an RSVP form are at the link below. See you there:
bikeeastbay.org/event/pittsb...
city of Pittsburg CA logo - background map showing the project area
October 30, 2025 at 10:19 PM
prinzrob.bsky.social
And there's some actual concrete work via new traffic circles on 96th Ave and on 38th Ave, as well as a median crosswalk refuge on Lakeshore.
October 30, 2025 at 6:12 PM
prinzrob.bsky.social
Also mini post-separated bikeway segments on San Pablo Ave, Peralta St, and Market St at turn/merge conflict points.
October 30, 2025 at 6:12 PM
prinzrob.bsky.social
Also painted bike lane gap closures on Adeline St, Oakland Ave, and MLK Jr Way.
October 30, 2025 at 6:12 PM
prinzrob.bsky.social
A few highlights include bikeway separation on MacArthur near Mills, 3rd St in W Oakland, and 17th St near City Hall.
October 30, 2025 at 6:12 PM
prinzrob.bsky.social
New BayWheels bike share stations in Emeryville (Vallejo & 66th St, one block from the greenway) and Oakland (Brooklyn Ave & Lakeshore, across from the upcoming Lakeshore cycletrack).
October 30, 2025 at 12:51 AM
prinzrob.bsky.social
Last night Berkeley City Council approved the staff recommendation for a wide parking-protected bikeway & bus boarding islands on Telegraph Ave, Woolsey to Dwight! The plan includes bus lanes around Ashby to address the primary transit delays.
October 29, 2025 at 3:54 PM