Bicycle Boulevards in Berkeley 

If you bike, walk, drive or take transit around Berkeley, you have probably noticed the bicycle boulevard signs and pavement markings. Identifying the streets with these signs and legends is just the first phase of creating a network of bicycle boulevards. The City is now engaged in the second phase of implementation - improving the safety and convenience of the bicycle boulevards, including the crossings at busy streets.

Check out the short video explaining Berkeley's boulevard system. Street Films: Berkeley’s Bicycle Boulevards

Current Projects

 The City is working on the following projects to improve bicycle boulevards:

• Hillegass/Ashby Intersection: This intersection is difficult to cross for people biking or walking. The City is working with Caltrans, which must approve any changes to Ashby (a state highway), to improve this crossing.

• Ninth Street connection to Emeryville.

What is a Bicycle Boulevard?  

A bicycle boulevard is a low-speed, low-volume street which has been optimized for bicycle traffic. Bicycle boulevards discourage cut-through motor-vehicle traffic but allow local motor-vehicle traffic. They are designed to give priority to people biking as through-going traffic.

The Bicycle Boulevard Network   Seven boulevards make up the  bicycle boulevard network. Each is named after the street that it entirely, or in large part, travels along. Click here for an interactive google map showing the bicycle blvd network and major destinations. Click here to download a pdf description of each route with a list of destinations.   Photos of Bicycle Boulevard Treatments     The adopted Bicycle Boulevard Design Tools and Guidelines Report describes the tools that could be used on the bicycle boulevards to slow traffic and to create safer crossings at major streets. Many of these tools, such as traffic circles and specialized traffic signals, are already being used on streets throughout Berkeley.     Published Documents Bicycle Boulevard Design Tools and Guidelines Report  (April 2000)

Signage System  The system includes seven sign types and one pavement legend, each serving a specific purpose. See descriptions and photos of them here.     Planning & Implementation History    Describes how the bicycle boulevards were developed, what has been done on them to date, and how the City has funded their implementation.     Report Problems on Bicycle Boulevards    Have you noticed a bicycle boulevard sign that is missing or has been tagged? Is there debris or a new pothole on a boulevard? Please let us know!

Comments on Bicycle Boulevards 

Contact the Office of Transportation at (510) 981-7010, TDD: (510) 981-6903 or by email.