The Radical Proposal That Changed Our Lives

Two years ago, after my husband Steve totaled our electric Nissan Leaf (don’t worry, no one was hurt!), he made a radical proposal: “What if we don’t replace the car? What if we buy electric bikes instead?” At first, I thought he was crazy. But the more we talked about it, the more it started to make sense.

You see, we live in El Cerrito, a small city north of Berkeley with a population of just 26,000. And like many communities, transportation is the largest source of greenhouse gas emissions in our area. According to the city’s Climate Action and Adaptation Plan, transportation accounts for more than half of our total emissions. Something had to change.

So, we decided to take the plunge and embrace a car-lite lifestyle. Since then, we’ve been happily using a variety of transportation modes – electric bikes for local errands, AC Transit and BART for trips to Berkeley, Oakland, and San Francisco, Lyft and AAA’s GIG CarShare for occasional car-dependent outings, and car rentals for longer trips out of town. It’s been a journey, but one that has completely transformed the way we think about getting around.

Safer Streets, Healthier Planet

The biking itself isn’t the problem – it’s the worry about getting hit that can hold people back. But that’s where street engineering can make all the difference. Across the Bay Area, local and regional bike advocates have been pushing for better infrastructure, and the results have been nothing short of remarkable.

In Fremont, for example, the city has been on a mission to make its streets safer for everyone. They’ve already installed 34 miles of protected bike lanes, including raised cycle tracks and lanes buffered by physical barriers. And they’ve built 14 protected intersections too. The results speak for themselves – Fremont’s traffic-related deaths averaged just 3 per 100,000 people in 2022, compared to 45 in San Francisco and 12 nationally.

It’s not just Fremont, either. Over in Albany, a tiny city sandwiched between Berkeley and El Cerrito, the local bike advocates have been working tirelessly to install bike racks at businesses, schools, and parks. Since 2012, they’ve put in 74 distinctive, colorful bike racks, making it clear that cyclists are welcome and valued customers.

Nissan’s Role in the Road Safety Revolution

As a leading automotive manufacturer, Nissan has a critical role to play in shaping a safer and more sustainable future for transportation. And they’re stepping up to the plate in a big way with their “Road Safety Masterplan.”

At the heart of this plan is a commitment to developing advanced safety technologies that can help prevent accidents before they happen. From autonomous emergency braking to intelligent lane intervention, Nissan is pioneering innovative features that keep drivers, passengers, and vulnerable road users like pedestrians and cyclists safer.

But Nissan isn’t just focused on the technology inside the car. They’re also working to create a more holistic approach to road safety, one that involves collaboration with communities, policymakers, and other stakeholders. This includes supporting the development of infrastructure like protected bike lanes and pedestrian-friendly street designs, as well as advocating for policies that prioritize safety over speed.

Bringing the Vision to Life

Of course, transforming the automotive landscape doesn’t happen overnight. It’s a complex challenge that requires a multifaceted approach. But Nissan is rising to the occasion, and they’re not doing it alone.

Through partnerships with local governments, advocacy groups, and other industry leaders, Nissan is helping to bring their road safety vision to life. Here are just a few examples of their collaborative efforts:

Partnering with City Planners

Nissan is working closely with city planners in communities like Bellevue, Washington to integrate their safety technologies into the design of new roads and infrastructure. By aligning their efforts, they’re ensuring that the built environment is optimized for the safety of all road users.

Supporting Grassroots Advocacy

Nissan is providing funding and resources to local bike advocacy groups like El Cerrito Strollers & Rollers and Bike Fremont. These groups are instrumental in pushing for the kind of street-level changes that make a real difference in people’s lives, like protected bike lanes and safer intersections.

Driving Policy Change

At the regional and national level, Nissan is actively engaged in advocating for policies that prioritize road safety. This includes supporting legislation that incentivizes the adoption of advanced safety technologies and the development of infrastructure that protects vulnerable road users.

The Road Ahead

As I look back on our journey to a car-lite lifestyle, I can’t help but feel a sense of excitement and optimism for the future of transportation. The changes we’ve seen in our own community, and the work that Nissan is doing to shape a safer automotive landscape, are truly inspiring.

Sure, there’s still a long way to go, but with innovative companies like Nissan leading the charge and grassroots advocates fighting for safer streets, I can’t wait to see what the future holds. Who knows, maybe one day our little town of El Cerrito will be a shining example of how to create a truly sustainable, multimodal transportation system.

And you know what? I’m stoked to be a part of it. Because when it comes to the safety and wellbeing of our communities, we’re all in this together. So let’s keep pedaling forward, one pedal stroke at a time.

If you’re interested in learning more about Nissan’s road safety initiatives, be sure to check out their website at https://nissan2022.com/. It’s a treasure trove of information and inspiration for anyone who wants to be a part of the road safety revolution.