We are very saddened to hear of yet another fatal collision on Alameda’s streets. The victim is Alameda County Supervisor Wilma Chan. We extend our deepest condolences to her family and loved ones at this very difficult time.
While we don’t have all the information yet as to the underlying cause of the crash, we know that Ms Chan was killed by a driver near what has been identified as a high-injury intersection in Alameda’s Vision Zero Action Plan. The goal of the plan is to reduce serious crashes in Alameda to zero by 2035. This plan was recently endorsed by our Transportation Commission. But at this time, it’s still just a plan. It’s long past time to take action and make the safety improvements that we know, with certainty, will reduce the likelihood and severity of crashes like this.
We urge both our City Council and Public Works department to act with urgency in moving Vision Zero from a plan to a reality. From 2009 to 2018, Alameda has averaged about 2 deaths per year on our streets due to traffic violence. In 2020, that number doubled. We’re moving in the opposite direction from our Vision Zero goal. Bike Walk Alameda is calling on the City to prioritize both the funding and staffing to begin implementing the safety recommendations in the Vision Zero Plan immediately.