Speak up in support of Complete Streets on Richmond Street
El Cerrito’s Richmond Street Complete Streets Improvement Project will improve pedestrian and bicycle safety and create a slower, safer, more welcoming Richmond Street from Elm Street to Fairmount Avenue.
City staff and project consultants are currently designing the project, which includes numerous traffic calming measures (crosswalks, bulbouts, speed bumps, chicanes, street trees, and more), as well as new bike lanes north of Moeser Lane. A group of neighbors has objected to removing about half of the street parking north of Moeser to allow for bike lanes.
We need to show up at public comment during El Cerrito city council meetings (first and third Tuesdays, 6 p.m.) to let the council and staff know that a range of neighbors and community members support creating a slower, safer Richmond Street for all users.
Sign up here to speak at an upcoming city council meeting!
To speak at a meeting, show up in city council chambers (10890 San Pablo Ave. @ Manila Ave.) a few minutes before 6 p.m. and sign up for public comment as soon as you arrive at the city clerk's desk (straight ahead once you enter the council chamber). The public comment is the first item on the council agenda and lasts for 30 minutes; you'll have 2 or 3 minutes to speak, depending on how many people want to speak that night.
Preparing some talking points ahead of time that you can speak from helps immensely. Some people even write verbatim what they want to say and simply read it. To learn more and for talking points, read our response to neighborhood concerns about how losing parking could impact vulnerable users.
Tell the council your name and address — and remind them that you live in the neighborhood and that you're fine with removing some parking to get a Complete Street that is not a speedway. Let them know that we want a city safe for young and old using all travel modes, not just cars!
Thank you for taking the time to do this. If you do not see a date on the signup, it's because three people have already signed up for that meeting. We're currently aiming for at least three people per meeting, but feel free to show up at any meeting (first and third Tuesdays, 6 p.m.) that works for you to speak during public comment in support of a truly Complete Street on Richmond Street!