Disclaimer: this podcast and all articles on Darrell Owens’ substack represent his personal opinion and not that of his employer or any body he serves on or volunteers with.
Tonight is likely the final vote on whether Hopkins St. in Berkeley will get a protected bike lane. One longtime reader of my Substack, John Coveney, a cyclist opposed to the proposed cycletracks, took issue with the generalities in my recent article on Hopkins bike lanes and reacted with a Substack of his own.
Instead of sniping at each other, we met at a cafe on Hopkins that same day and talked for over an hour. The conversation, like the Hopkins debate itself, got abstracted beyond the specifics of the proposal and became about cycling, traffic deaths and driving more broadly.
Pleased that the two sides could have civil conversation, we decided to have essentially the same discussion again as a podcast. Chances are you're probably waiting in line or on your way to give comment on the Hopkins issue at Berkeley City Council Chambers. If so, this may make for some relaxing listening while you wait.
This was a refreshingly friendly discussion between fellow and friendly residents on a very intense issue. We both regretted this was not more commonplace in the years prior.
Listen above. Video transcripts are available.
