Updates & News
last update 4:00pm, September 17, 2006
ENFORCEMENT UPDATE: Lt Banks has forwarded his report on the area findings -which you can find in our section "Enforcement"
9-15-06 - ROAD CLOSURES:

1) Pinehurst: The contractor managing the project on Pinehurst reported that he is having problems with vandalism of the locks on the security gate as well as "reprogramming" of the sign that advises the public of the conditions.

Condition: there is major drilling operations in progress, involving deep placement of steel, a type of "moment frame" similar to what is used to shore up hillsides when building a house on a steep grade. The site is VERY dangerous, and liability insurance and other problems make public entry to the area forbidden and problematic for everyone.

a) He mentioned cyclists in particular have expressed angry outrage over the closure and ignored his comments regarding the dangers on the site. He is concerned about the comments and believes they are responsible for braking the locks

b) The sign has been reprogrammed to say various deranged things about Clinton, Houdini, and life in general, with an apparent republican bias of all things. The culprits are tech savvy and able to access the control box, break the password, and reprogram the sign at will, causing the contractor further problems.

He also reports that the site conditions are far worse than anticipated, and he is now in the process of resolving contract administration issues with the City, which by the nature of this process further delays the project and increases costs ultimately.

As it the termination of traffic from commuters over this hill has greatly improved the quality of life in the neighborhood, reducing speeding, and traffic, we secretly (...albeit posted to web) hope the road never re-opens, that a nature preserve and eco lodge can instead be developed there similar to Post Ranch Inn, and through traffic is closed forever. bh.9.15.06
2) Skyline Road Repair - Location 1/4 mile north of Shepard intersection

We understand the west lane of Skyline will finally be repaired, with work starting soon, and to be completed at an unknown time in the future. A sign has been installed today that notices the public of this closure.

There is a very nice professional sign announcing this work and the various agencies involved at the spot of the work, and it appears that the work has commenced from a preparatory POV.

This means among other things, that Skyline in this area will likely not slide down the hill when the rains eventually come, and that during the time period of the construction, through traffic will again be blocked. Traffic will either have to "find another way" to race and commute or the residents on Manzanita will realize a new understanding of what living on a "freeway in the trees" is like.

Again, it wold be wonderful for the quality of life up here if they would give up, close the road and thereby permanently stop the chronic condition of Skyline being used as an expressway. We believe that is unlikely of course that the repairs will fail, and are thankful the original plan for building a freeway with banked turns up here that was promoted in the 50's ( anyone know this history??) was never approved.
8.15.06: FROM: Dept. of Planning -City of Oakland:

This week, we've begun an inventory of signs along Skyline so we can
evaluate and implement the most effective corridor-wide signage program.
This may include additional speed limit, bike and pedestrian warning, and
bike route signs. The intersection of Skyline/Shepherd Canyon/Manzanita is
being evaluated for an all-way stop. The installation of stop signs is based
on traffic volume and accident history. Traffic counts and observations are
scheduled next week. We hope to have a recommendation based on our analysis
ready to share with the community by the end of August.

According to staff from the City's Design and Construction Division, the
landslide repair at 7700 Skyline is expected to be completed by mid-October.
Bids were received and contract documents are pending with the City's
contract administration division.
Traffic Report from Sky-shep: Commuters on Raw Beans, m/c back and a near miss crossing the street

No sightings of any enforcement activities -in fact, we have not seen any PD up here since the single day blitz about a week ago - Perhaps it is getting back that the "coast is clear"?
UPDATE: Per DM - it appears that enforcement has stopped in this area despite statements by Lt Banks that it would continue through Labor day - if anyone has ideas or sightings -please advise - as far as we know - it was a "one-day" event//bh 8-15

AM - there was a surprisingly aggressive array of high-speed commuters this AM from 8-9:30 which made jogging, walking, and cycling on Skyline very dangerous - many the yellow crossed - speeds over 40mph common, gunned engines and coffeed up-cocooned obliviousness to the 2-tons of flying steel that these parties were hurling down the road.

Later, we had a renewed series of m/c racers - mostly in 2's - some singles -


We nearly got run over today et 6:00pm by a m/c rocket, who charged the stop sign at Shepard illegally passing a PGE truck around 5:00. Obscenities were shouted at me [by the m/c], "because I jumped in fear" and got in his way. Funny approach to use vs " I am sorry I frightened you....
As we were on the dog walk - there was little we could do but jump or run - it was blind as he was passing the truck from behind illegally.
No one hurt at least - but why should he be hostile that "we got in the way by walking across the street?"This is in large part why the m/c get a bad wrap up here - they are hostile and anger-ridden in addition to be driving a reckless illegal speeds -

Overall - it seems that most m/c have cut back on the speed -many going at the speed limit- impressive.

No response for RFI on signage and engineering plans, or any known enforcement.

Some $ being pledged for the viewpark at Sky-shep for Ed Weiss - will post total as I have more $ pledged and support

7:00 posting 8-14/bh
Saturday ETA 10:30am
Memorial ride honoring a fellow cyclist how died recently occurred along Skyline - about 100+ primarily Harley's
- all driving at speed limit, (though it sounded like an invasion of tanks and chainsaws) -
all friendly and lots of waving -
rumors of OPD pacing this well -no confirms on that
If you want to write a letter to the district attorney's regarding the Ed Weiss case, Rick Schiller, Mr. Weiss's brother has submitted a draft for your review and convenience - it is posted on the MVA page - Click here: -- LINK to page
There's an OPD radar speed monitoring trailer now parked at the Moon
Gate. Wow!
/ dm 8-09-06
Friday 8-04-06: ET: 5:00pm, Accident between motorcycle and pick-up trick, 50' from where Mr. Weiss died.

Reports indicate that the motorcycle was hit head on by a pickup who crossed the double yellow on this blind corner to pass a slower truck
This happened 100' south of the Shepard intersection

What was ironic, was that this unlucky motorcyclist had just gotten a ticket for speeding(?) the officers deployed by Lt Banks to begin the enforcement program. The motorcycle was driving slowly away from the traffic stop, apparently only going 10-15mph (like a bicycle)
when he was struck head on my the the passing pickup - an investigation is underway to determine if the pickup driver should be charged in this case.

Had he [the m/c] been speeding, the motorcycle driver and his passenger on the m/c may have been serious injured killed

Ergo, it is fair to say that no one is prejudiced against m/c's here - this is about unsafe driving in a section of road that
has design defects, blind curves, a good reason for the double yellow, and has too many divergent users of all kinds - mixing dangerously.
posted 8-6-06/bh

The Funeral for Ed Weiss - August 6, 2006
Sunday 11am Colonial Chapel 2626 High St at Brookdale in Oakland, internment at Fairfax cemetery.


Friday August 4 - Pending charges in the case involving Mr. Weiss
There is an investigation underway by the OPD. Building a case and making sure it is complete and thorough takes time.
Although sense of urgency presses on us from such a tragedy, it is important to understand that these things take time to do the job correctly.
We understand applying "pressure" in the form of letters and emails from the public may weigh on the decisions of both the OPD and DA in making the indictment.

However, I do believe that this case has the full attention of the department and they have top professionals working diligently on this matter.
Ultimately the case, if any, will be actioned and tried on its merits and the evidence.

If you or anyone know were a witness to this or have any evidence, please come forward as soon as possible if you have not already, and discuss the situation with the investigating officers

Call the witness number, 238 3156 if you have information that may aid in the investigation -
Refer to the Ed Weiss Case

revised 8-05-06/bh
Friday August 4
New 25 mph signs were installed throughout the Skyline area and debris covering existing signs were removed.

We believe that many people are potentially misinformed about the speed limit, and we have a report that one driver stated (when stopped by a citizen) that he thought the speed limit was 45pmh.

this was facilitate through work orders issued by Leonardo Hernadez on August 1 - their response to this was exceptional
On Aug 1, 2006, at 1:46 PM, Armstrong, Leronne wrote:
Mr. Bennett,
I spoke with Lt. Banks Commander of the Traffic Division and confirmed that a unit of traffic officers will be assigned to the Skyline area. These officers will be deployed there for a 30 day period and make recommendations to the City Traffic Engineers on what will be the best ways to combat the speeding problems. Any suggestions should be forwarded to abanks@oaklandnet.com.
July 29: ET 5:30 - Ed Weiss was struck by a motorcycle; the results of his injuries resulted in his death early the following day