Are El Cerrito's Streets Bike-Friendly?

Just how dangerous is it for pedestrians and bicyclists to negotiate traffic on El Cerrito's streets?

Crews began digging up trees along the median of Moeser Lane last week as part of a project designed to make the streets safer for pedestrians and bicyclists.

The early phase of construction for the Moeser Lane and Ashbury Avenue Pedestrian and Bicycle Corridor Improvement can be seen near San Pablo Avenue and it will continue to Pomona Avenue. The plants that are being dug up were identified by the City's arborist as candidates for removal.

"To make room for the new bike lanes and to keep parking on both sides of the street, the median island needed to be narrowed," according to project manager Gerardo Avila.

The City of El Cerrito sent out a letter to residents that detailed the construction planned for Moeser Lane and Ashbury Avenue, which is expected to continue through August. Officials expect to have the construction complete before students return to school for the fall semester.

Avila said the City heard some concerns from residents regarding noise and dust during the construction, but there were no serious objections to the plans.

The plans also call for the construction of dedicated and mixed-use bike lanes on Ashbury Avenue and the reconstruction of the median near El Cerrito High School.

"As far as pedestrians, we're making safety improvements by gap filling where there are no sidewalks now," Avila said.

Avila said he received some interesting reports from work crews as they cleared out the plants in the median on Moeser Lane.

"As they were removing the trees, crews found old cans, trash, debris and they said it all must have been there for a very long time," Avila said with a lighthearted tone.

Do you feel safe riding your bike in El Cerrito? Let us know what you think of the City's project?