Members of Traffic Violence Rapid Response argue infrastructure improvements will save more lives than money spent on policing.

Author Archives: Jose Fermoso
Jose Fermoso covers road safety, transportation, and public health for The Oaklandside. His previous work covering tech and culture has appeared in publications including The Guardian, The New York Times, and One Zero. Jose was born and raised in Oakland and is the host and creator of the El Progreso podcast, a new show featuring in-depth narrative stories and interviews about and from the perspective of the Latinx community.
As Oakland braces for winter storms, ransomware attack has partially downed 311 system
The city’s call center for non-emergency services, OAK311, is experiencing an outage.
Bay Area cyclists organize solidarity ride following violent car attacks
More than 800 bike riders rallied in Oakland to demand safer streets and respect from drivers.
East Bay bicyclists frightened by string of recent car attacks Â
Cars are being used as “literal weapons,” bike advocates say. According to witnesses, cars chased, rammed, and doored bicyclists in separate incidents this weekend.
Slow Streets are returning to Oakland through neighborhood bike routes and paving projects
The city wants to slow down cars and bring bicyclists and pedestrians back on the streets.
Oakland will let shops fortify themselves against car crashes and smash robberiesÂ
The city plans to let stores set up ‘Jersey barriers’ to blockade themselves from the street.
Oakland installs parking meters at Lake Merritt amid gentrification concerns
Questions of accessibility and gentrification surround the new project
Family of man killed in Oakland police ‘ghost chase’ files lawsuitÂ
Lolomanaia Soakai was struck by a man fleeing OPD officers who were allegedly conducting an unpermitted high-speed chase.
Oakland residents and city workers are hard at work patching potholes and other storm damage
Local transportation advocates say reporting potholes to the city is a good way to ensure they’re fixed. But staffing and resource limits do delay needed work.
The 35 people who lost their lives to traffic violence in Oakland last year
We spoke to their loved ones and examined public records to understand what happened to them.
Expect two more weeks of heavy rain in Oakland, say atmospheric scientists
Climate and weather experts explain the “bomb cyclone’s” behavior, its link to global warming, and how all this rain relates to the ongoing drought.
Stay off Oakland’s roads during the ‘bomb cyclone’ if you canÂ
Authorities and driving experts say storm conditions will be dangerous. The city and county are working on keeping roads open.
Was 2022 the year Oakland got serious about making its roads safer?
The Oaklandside’s Jose Fermoso talks about the big stories in road safety and transportation in 2022.
Masks are required again in Oakland city buildings
Masking is an effective way to prevent the spread of COVID and other respiratory viruses.
Bay Bridge bike path on track for 2030
A dedicated bike and pedestrian trail connecting Oakland and San Francisco has been in the works for over a decade.
Christmas carol protesters call on Mayor Schaaf to reinstate mask mandate at city buildings
Oakland’s masking requirement in libraries and other city buildings ended Nov. 28, but health officials say COVID and other dangerous respiratory illnesses are spiking again.
How the Oakland Roots and Soul are watching the World Cup
We spoke with a Roots player and two of the soccer teams’ leaders about their thoughts on the games in Qatar.
Street safety advocates want narrower roads. The fire department is opposed
Slowing traffic and more bike lanes is running up against another safety goal: fighting fires.
Bike advocate Dave Campbell announces he’s leaving the East Bay after 24 years
Campbell showed bicyclists how to organize to make streets safer for everyone. And he made advocacy fun.
Oakland plans to reduce speed limits in these business districts
The city is reducing speeds on major streets to increase safety and prevent deadly car collisions.