Fourth of July parade in Alameda, a bikable city

 

City of Alameda Notables

The Alameda 4th of July parade is a source and expression of civic pride. At 3.2 miles, we say the east side to west side route is the longest in the US, and we pack the sidewalks to watch. Mayor Ezzy Ashcraft led the 2026 procession on her bicycle, followed by two city council members in traditional internal combustion machines. That was only fitting. Under her leadership, bicycle traffic on the island has shown a marked uptick.

Come June, some changes she'd promoted arrived in our Central Alameda neighborhood. Before, the northern edge was a chain link fence bordering a weedy strip dense with blackberry vines. Beyond the scrub was Jean Sweeney Open Space Park, stretching from Sherman to Webster. Neighbors gave neighbors fist bumps when little asphalt lanes opened connecting Wood & 8th streets to the paths spanning the park. Those paths became more popular due to easier access, and islanders smile on each other as we enjoy them on bicycles and scooters, jogging, using walkers, and pushing strollers. And thanks to other bike paths nearing completion on both sides of the Fruitvale bridge, cyclists can peddle from the erstwhile Naval Air Station to Fruitvale BART without sharing the road. A development much appreciated on my own bike/BART commute. And that aggravating wait for the 4-phase traffic signal to flash bicycle green at Park & Clement? Well, there are accommodations we all need to make to live together amiably. That's the Alameda way.

Alameda ways were prominent in our Independence Day celebration. In the small town tradition, we took the opportunity to make an affectionate display of ourselves to each other. There was the Quilt Guild, firefighters, the Community Sailing Club, and the Friends of the Free Library. And the Theater Cineplex, Alameda Market Place, a hair salon, and many other businesses. And scores of other cyclists besides the mayor, including a group riding old-fashioned bikes with tall front wheels. Although we were spared the roaring militarism that afflicted other parades (spared the brutal eastern heat wave too), Coast Guarders marching in formation received the loudest applause when the parade started at Lincoln and Park.

But to me, the contingent that expressed our sense of place best was the Kindness Coalition. Alamedans do pride ourselves on putting energy into being nice. The group's spokeswoman Deirdre Freeman explained their goal is to help our troubled country without getting too political. The coalition's solution is to light up people's lives with small acts of generosity such as giving away free bake goods and picking up trash. It was started by coterie of 3 in 2024, and by 7/25 membership had expanded to over a 100. Search for Kindness Coalition on Facebook.

Of course Americans do have a tradition of getting political. Mayor Ashcraft's progressive political base was conspicuous at the parade, exercising our rights while we can. Bay Resistance focuses on trying to prevent immigrants from being snatched up by ICE and placed in brutal private detention camps. AllRiseAlameda focuses on supporting Democrats in the November midterm elections. Indivisible-Alameda does that too, plus it sponsors events such as Art For Democracy on 7/25 at 1435 Webster.

Alameda will also elect a Mayor for a new term in November. We currently share a distinction with an east coast town called New York City: both have Arab-American mayors, who both successfully implemented progressive agendas. But Ashcraft is termed-out, and Tracy Jensen, Tony Daysog and Malia Vella are contending to be her successor. Whoever wins will be stepping into big shoes.