May 15, 2012
"While the city's recent cycling boom and expansion of bike infrastructure were widely celebrated, some leaders said SF could do much more to catch up with cities like New York, Minneapolis, and Davis and make cycling on its streets safe and accessible for riders of all abilities."
-- On Bike to Work Day, City Leaders Call on SF to Step Up Bikeway Expansion, SF Streetsblog, May 10, 2012.
Biker Bulletin News
- Thanks for Making Bike to Work Day Great
- Keep Momentum Rolling for Fell and Oak Bikeways This Friday
- San Francisco's Best Workplaces for People Who Bike
- Next Fun Event: 20th Annual Golden Wheel Awards
- BART Bike Plan Update -- Your Turn to Comment
- Upcoming Family Biking Classes
- Help Make Four Months of Mission Sunday Streets a Success
- SF Bicycle Coalition Members Invite Their Friends to Follow Their Lead
- Unique Art Bikes This Week at the Fine Arts Fair
- Welcome Roll San Francisco: Our Newest Discount Partner
- Video: 2012 Bike to Work Day
- Upcoming Events
We're hiring for a Senior Graphic Designer and Event Planner:
Find out more at sfbike.org/jobs
Thanks for Making Bike to Work Day Great
The Bay Area's Bike to Work Day last Thursday, May 10, saw huge numbers of people -- nurses, lawyers, teachers and tech employees -- demonstrating the need for San Francisco to speed up the pace of change for bicycling improvements. Joining commuters who already make every day a "bike-to-work" day were first-time commuters, casual weekend riders and an unprecedented number of city officials and business leaders.
Among the many decision-makers participating: Mayor Ed Lee, Supervisors Eric Mar, Mark Farrell, David Chiu, Carmen Chu, Christina Olague, Jane Kim, Scott Wiener, David Campos, Malia Cohen and John Avalos, as well as SFMTA Director Ed Reiskin, SFMTA Board members Tom Nolan and Cheryl Brinkman, Rec and Park General Manager Phil Ginsburg, DPW Director Mohammed Nuru, Mayor's Office of Disability Director Carla Johnson, and many San Francisco business leaders all demonstrated their political support for bicycling by pedaling in on Bike to Work Day!
Thank you to the SF Bicycle Coalition's 12,000 members for spreading the Bike to Work Day word, hanging posters, encouraging your friends and of course, pedaling on Bike to Work Day, making this year's Bike to Work Day the very best yet. Check sfbike.org/btwd for photos of the day or share your photos by posting them to our wall on Facebook or to our Flickr group. And, be sure to check out Orange Photography's Photobooth pictures form our awesome Bike From Work Party!
More than 300 SF Bicycle Coalition member-volunteers helped make Bike to Work Day possible by cheering-on commuters at 27 Energizer Stations throughout San Francisco, valet-parking bicycles, helping with behind-the-scenes logistics, volunteering at the Bike from Work Party, and stuffing 6,000 Bike to Work totes. Thanks so much to our amazing team of 300+ volunteers for making Bike to Work Day great! A special thanks to Energizer Station Captains for taking the lead on Bike to Work Day and ensuring it was so easy to volunteer. A special shout-out to Bike to Work Day Event Logistics Planner Graham Schildmeyer, Interns Sam Gross and Marcus Farge, and Alexis Chavez. Thank you! We could not have done it without you.
Bike Counts: Every Bike to Work Day, the SFMTA conducts a manual bicycle count on Market Street and Van Ness Avenue. This year, as in past years, the counts were impressive. In a one-hour stretch (8-9am), bikes accounted for 73% of inbound traffic at Market and Van Ness. Over 1,000 people on bikes were counted -- that's more than 17 each minute! Compared to last month's counts, Bike to Work Day counts showed an increase of 58% more people commuting by bike on Market Street. These counts continue to prove that Bike to Work Day invites more people to try bicycling in San Francisco!
A hearty welcome to more than 700 people who showed that they want San Francisco neighborhoods connected with 100 miles of separated bikeway when they became SF Bicycle Coalition Members on Bike to Work Day. Didn't get a chance to join on Bike to Work Day? Use our quick and secure online membership form at sfbike.org/join_renew.
Do you have a great Bike to Work Day story? The SF Bicycle Coalition wants to know! Did you start commuting by bike on Bike to Work Day? Were you inspired to make every day a bike-to-work day, or to do your super commute by bike more often? Did someone you know start commuting by bike for the first time on Bike To Work Day? Share your story at sfbike.org/my_story.
A big thanks to our Bike to Work Day Sponsors for providing valuable and fun bike-y items at this event:
C9, Shefman Law, Timbuk2, ICF International, CPMC/Sutter Health, Rainbow Grocery, Rapha Cycling Club and Dolan Law Firm. Thanks to Recology and Blue Shield of CA for providing the awesome 2012 Bike to Work Day t-shirts and Levis Bike Shop and Whole Foods for making the Bike from Work Party healthy and fun!
A round of applause goes to Specialized/Globe and Mikes Bikes, Hint Water, Pop Chips, KIND Snacks, AlerEco Chocolates, Veritable Vegetable and the Fruit Guys for fueling us up throughout the day. Thanks to all our sponsors this year who contributed to the success of Bike to Work Day.
Congratulations Lindsay Sorenberger for winning the Masi Strada donated by Huckleberry Bikes for the SF Bicycle Coalition's raffle.
Get an official Bike to Work Day t-shirt: Commemorate 2012's biggest day in bicycling with a cool collectable t-shirt. All proceeds go to support the bicycle advocacy work of the SF Bicycle Coalition.
Keep Momentum Rolling for Fell and Oak Bikeways This Friday
The San Francisco Bicycle Coalition has been working tirelessly to build support for separated bikeways and pedestrian improvements on Oak and Fell streets between Scott and Baker Streets. We have drummed up strong support from Supervisor Olague, businesses along the corridor, and from hundreds of our members. This Friday, May 18 we need strong supporters to speak up for these critical safety improvements at an SFMTA Public Hearing:
SFMTA Public Hearing on Oak and Fell Bicycle and Pedestrian Safety Improvements
City Hall Room 416
Friday May 18, 10am
The SFMTA has been hard at work adding 23 miles of new bikeways in the past year and a half and raced to finish key bicycle safety projects on JFK Drive, Cesar Chavez and Bayshore Boulevard before Bike to Work Day. These improvements have clearly driven the 71% increase in the number of people biking in San Francisco yet, remaining gaps in getting across town on a bike are deterring many from riding. These three blocks of Fell and Oak Street represent a major barrier for many people to bike to work, school, or out to Golden Gate Park safely on a bicycle.
Join the SF Bicycle Coalition, Supervisor Olague, and your neighbors on Friday, May 18 at City Hall to show your support for pedestrian and safety improvements on these three critical blocks today. Email Neal if you can make the hearing, or go to sfbike.org/fell today to add your support online and read more background information.
San Francisco's Best Workplaces for People Who Bike
The San Francisco Bicycle Coalition gave awards to six of San Francisco's most bicycle-friendly businesses as part of Bike to Work Day this year.
The awards were presented by San Francisco Bicycle Coalition Executive Director, Leah Shahum, along with Mayor Edwin Lee who said "San Francisco companies large and small are making it easy for their employees to bike to work, and in doing so, attracting high-quality employees. An easy bike commute provides San Francisco a competitive edge over businesses outside of the city, and welcomes more creative companies to San Francisco."
The 2012 winners (in alphabetical order) are:
Atlassian, Inc.: Outstanding bike commuter education and encouragement programs
Airbnb: Free in-house bike tune-ups for employees
Levi's: Outstanding commitment to the San Francisco bicycling community
Rackspace: Outstanding in-house bike repair station
Veritable Vegetable: Outstanding warehouse or garage bicycle parking
Zynga: Outstanding in-office bicycle parking
And a few firms merited honorable mention including:
Advent Software Inc.; David Baker + Partners; Voce Communications and Yammer.
Get a peek at how these businesses make biking to work a breeze with our Bicycle Friendly Business photos on Flickr.
We were blown away by the great response for these awards and we would like to make them an annual tradition. Want to get in on the act? Nominate a bicycle-friendly business, it only takes two minutes to fill out the form.
Next Fun Event: 20th Annual Golden Wheel Awards
This year's Golden Wheel Awards are just around the corner! Hurry up and get your tickets for our classiest event of the year on June 5 in the Green Room at the War Memorial Building. This celebration is guaranteed to be a fun time, where you will rub elbows with local decision-makers and fellow SF Bicycle Coalition members, while sipping wine and beer and nibbling on tasty hors d'ourves.
As this year's keynote, we are welcoming Gil Penalosa, the founding-father of Ciclovia's in Bogota Columbia. Our Sunday Streets have been inspired by Ciclovia, where the City of Bogota, Colombia opens up over 70 miles of roadways for over 2 million people to bike, walk, talk, exercise or picnic every Sunday and holiday. Mr. Penalosa has gone on to found 8-80 Cities, a non-profit organization that helps other cities create vibrant urban spaces and healthy communities, and he is sure to inspire you in his Golden Wheel keynote address.
Tickets for the 20th Annual Golden Wheel Awards are only $75. This is a major mid-year fundraiser for our organizational work -- and a fun event for our members. We look forward to seeing you there.
BART Bike Plan Update -- Your Turn to Comment
About 4% of BART trips currently involve a bike, whether parked at the station or brought along on the train, which is pretty good, but BART (and the SF Bicycle Coalition) would like to see that share grow significantly. BART has drafted an update to their 10-year-old bicycle plan that defines strategies they'll pursue to encourage and support increased use of bicycles. Top-level issues covered in the plan are: Cyclist Circulation (improve station circulation for passengers with bicycles), Plentiful Parking (create world-class bicycle parking facilities), Beyond BART Boundaries (help assure great bicycle access beyond BART's boundaries), Bikes on BART (bicycle accommodations aboard trains), and Persuasive Programs (complement bicycle-supportive policies and facilities with support programs).
BART wants your input -- see our Bikes on BART page to take a look at the draft BART Bike Plan and send in your comments by May 27!
Upcoming Family Biking Classes
We've been busy scheduling more Family Biking Classes across the city and we invite you to attend, or if you already consider yourself a family biking pro, then invite your neighbors and friends to attend! All of these classes are a great way to introduce people to bicycling as a family, and to help even the most-savvy two-wheeled families!
Family Biking Series Parts 1 & 2: Biking Pregnant and Biking With Your Baby and Toddler. These classes do not require a bicycle, and children of all ages are welcome.
Sat. May 19th | Natural Resources, 1367 Valencia Street (at 25th St)
Sun. May 27th | African American Art & Culture Complex, 762 Fulton Street (at Webster)
Sat. July 28th | African American Art & Culture Complex, 762 Fulton Street (at Webster)
And, for those of you with school-age children, we'll also be hosting Bike to School Practice Training: On-Road with Your Children on June 2nd in the Panhandle. If your child is already riding on his or her own and you're ready to bike commute as a family, this is the class for you.
These classes do fill-up quickly, so please RSVP for the class of your choice at sfbike.org/family_class
Help Make Four Months of Mission Sunday Streets a Success
Thanks to the 100+ volunteers who helped kick-off four months of Mission Sunday Streets May 6 on first Sundays through August. Volunteers who work three shifts over the four Sunday Streets Mission events will be treated with a sweet limited-edition Mission Sunday Streets-themed tote, and get priority assignments, in addition to all the regular perks of volunteering with Sunday Streets (free Sunday Streets t-shirt and lunch). Plus, you will help ensure this expansion of Sunday Streets is a huge success when you volunteer. Sign-up for three shifts now for the June 3, July 1, and August 5 events to get all these great perks!
We are proud that the Sunday Streets Volunteer Program is managed by the San Francisco Bicycle Coalition. Sunday Streets is sponsored by the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency and Livable City, the nonprofit fiscal sponsor of Sunday Streets responsible for the day-to-day management of the program. Sign up at sundaystreetssf.com/volunteer.
Sunday Streets Volunteer Program is hiring: The SF Bicycle Coalition is actively seeking talented and motivated Volunteer Program Interns. See sfbike.org/jobs for more info.
Get the Next Generation Rolling, or Be a Bicycle Ambassador: Share your bike love at Sunday Streets: Spend some time at one of the hottest spots at Sunday Streets -- the SF Bicycle Coalition tent -- and talk to happy participants about why you're a member. Bicycle Ambassador shifts at Sunday Streets are 10:30am-1:45pm or 1:15-4:30pm, so you can volunteer and still have time to play in the street! Email Tessa to sign up as a Bicycle Ambassador. Want to help little ones learn to ride at Freedom from Training Wheels at Sunday Streets? It's fun, easy and rewarding! Email Grace to volunteer or find out more about volunteering for Freedom from Training Wheels.
SF Bicycle Coalition Members Invite Their Friends
Over the past few weeks, nearly two hundred SF Bicycle Coalition members recruited their friends through our Get-a-Member campaign. Members competed to win great prizes including a Salsa Casseroll bicycle and a commuter kit with bike lock, light set, pump and WTB saddle. A huge thank you to all who participated, and a warm welcome to our newest SF Bicycle Coalition members!
Congratulations to David Kroodsma who will be riding away on a new Salsa Casseroll bike after recruiting the most members. Cheers to lucky raffle winners, including Bekki Bolthouse, Max Davis, Rachel Rosenberg, Jenny Shu and Brian Sullivan!
A huge thank you to prize sponsors Roaring Mouse Cycles, Chinook Book and Freedom by WTB. The San Francisco Bicycle Coalition is honored by the enthusiasm of our members to recruit their friends. Together we are making 2012 a great year for bicycling.
Unique Art Bikes This Week at the Fine Arts Fair
This year, the San Francisco Bicycle Coalition is the lucky beneficiary of this the annual Fine Arts Fair at Fort Mason Center. Seven PUBLIC bikes have been turned into seven works of art from artists like Moe Thomas, Gino Miles, Ken Kalman and Cyrus Tilton. We are seeking volunteer helpers to monitor the art bikes auction on Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday this week. If you commit to an eight hour shift, you will receive a VIP pass to the fair plus have the chance to win a $200 voucher for a new PUBLIC bike. Email Jodie to volunteer for the event.
Welcome Roll San Francisco: Our Newest Discount Partner
We're excited to announce the newest SF Bicycle Coalition discount partner, Roll San Francisco! Roll SF now offers all card-carrying SF Bicycle Coalition members 10% off regularly priced parts and accessories. Stop by and check out what kind of deals your member discount can get you. Roll San Francisco is located at 275 Rhode Island St, in Potrero Hill.
Not a member yet? Join the SF Bicycle Coalition and our 12,000 members who are working for biking improvements all across San Francisco and reap the rewards of great member perks like discounts at 60+ local and online businesses. See the full list of all the SF Bicycle Coalition's discount partners.
Video: 2012 Bike to Work Day
This year's Bike to Work Day was more robust than ever -- with record participation regionally, Energizer Stations scattered throughout the SF Bay Area, and a big press conference at San Francisco's City Hall. Here's a great recap of the full day's events, including lots of footage from Market Street, where bikes accounted for 73% of the morning rush hour traffic. This video recaps the San Francisco Bay Area's biggest bike day of the year -- maybe you will find yourself in these shots from all over the region!
Upcoming Events
Check out our online calendar of events. To add your bike event to our calendar, simply email the details to us.
** Wednesday, May 16th **
2012 San Francisco Fine Art Fair "ArtBike" Opening Night
7-9:30pm, Fort Mason's Festival Pavilion
"ArtBike" has pulled together artists, galleries, Public Bike, the San Francisco Bicycle Coalition, and the San Francisco Fine Art Fair for this innovative project of creating 7 sculptural bicycles which will be auctioned during the fair, with proceeds to benefit the educational programs of the SF Bicycle Coalition. The bikes will be unveiled on opening night by members of Verasphere's drag queens led by David Faulk and Michael Johnstone. The exhibition and auction will run throughout the fair and end on Sunday, May 20, at 3pm. For more info, and to see artists bikes go to www.sffineartfair.com. Proceeds from the sale of the art bikes benefit the San Francisco Bicycle Coalition.
** Thursday, May 17th **
SF Bicycle Coalition Phone Bank
5pm-8pm | SF Bicycle Coalition HQ, 833 Market St, 10th Floor
Accept the challenge to chat up your fellow SF Bicycle Coalition members! Join the volunteers who keep the SF Bicycle Coalition membership strong. No cold-calling, just calls to friendly lapsed members offering an easy way to renew. Plan to stay for the thank-you dinner afterward and get to know your fellow volunteers. You must be a current or former member to volunteer. Contact Juli.
2012 San Francisco Fine Art Fair including "ArtBike"
5-9pm, Fort Mason's Festival Pavilion
"ArtBike" has pulled together artists, galleries, Public Bike, the San Francisco Bicycle Coalition, and the San Francisco Fine Art Fair for this innovative project of creating 7 sculptural bicycles which will be auctioned during the fair, with proceeds to benefit the educational programs of the SF Bicycle Coalition. The exhibition and auction will run throughout the fair and end on Sunday, May 20, at 3pm. For more info, and to see artists bikes go to www.sffineartfair.com. Individual tickets are $25 for one day; $40 for all four days (May 17-20). Proceeds from the sale of the ArtBike benefit the San Francisco Bicycle Coalition.
** Friday, May 18th **
Oak and Fell Public Hearing *
10am | City Hall, Room 416
The Oak and Fell Pedestrian and Bicycle Safety Project goes to Public Hearing and you can help support the separated bikeways, sidewalk bulbouts and crosswalk improvements. Visit sfbike.org/fell to learn more about the project details and send in a support letter. If you can speak up in person at this hearing please contact Neal. This hearing is an opportunity to express support for this project and suggest modifications. No decision will be made, but all feedback will be carried to full MTA Board for a decision later this year.
** Saturday, May 19th **
SF Bicycle Coalition Valet Bike Parking: Be The Bridge *
9am-11:30am | Crissy Field across from Sports Basement
Be a part of history by being part of the Bridge: A mass gathering to create the shape of the Golden Gate Bridge on Crissy Field—a historic moment that will be captured through aerial photography and documented in a postcard! Wear (International) orange or red clothing and meet on the grassy airfield nearest the lagoon (across from Sports Basement) beginning at 9 AM. You must arrive by 10AM to get your position in the photo. Complimentary Valet Bicycle Parking provided by the SF Bicycle Coalition.
SF Bicycle Coalition Valet Bicycle Parking: Asian Heritage Street Celebration *
11am-6pm | Larkin between Grove and Ellis
Come and play in the street at the 8th Annual Asian Heritage Street Celebration with food, music, dancing and art. Complimentary valet bicycle parking provided by the San Francisco Bicycle Coalition.
Biking Pregnant: SF Bicycle Coalition Family Biking Series Part 1
12:30-1:30pm| Natural Resources, 1367 Valencia Street (at 25th St)
You love to bike, and now you're pregnant. Do you need to stop biking? How long can you bike while pregnant? Is your bike pregnancy and baby-ready? Register for this (free) class to learn the medically reviewed facts about biking pregnant. Meet other pregnant women who bike. This class is great for anyone who is currently pregnant, or
thinking about getting pregnant, as well as their partners and supporters. RSVP at sfbike.org/family_ class
Biking With Your Baby and Toddler SF Bicycle Coalition Family Biking Series Part 2
2:00-3:00 | Natural Resources, 1367 Valencia Street (at 25th St.)
You love to bike, and now you're a parent. When can you begin biking with your baby or toddler? Is it safe? What kind of seat should you get? Is your bike baby- or toddler-ready? Register for this (free) class to learn the medically reviewed facts about biking with a baby and/or toddler, as well as tips and tricks. Meet other parents who
bike with their small children. This class is great for anyone who has a baby or toddler, is expecting, or thinking about having a family, as
well as their partners and supporters. RSVP at sfbike.org/family_ class
** Sunday, May 20th **
2012 San Francisco Fine Art Fair "Art Bike" closing auction
11am-3pm, Fort Mason's Festival Pavilion
"Art Bike" has pulled together artists, galleries, Public Bike, the San Francisco Bicycle Coalition, and the San Francisco Fine Art Fair for this innovative project of creating 7 sculptural bicycles which will be auctioned during the fair, with proceeds to benefit the educational programs of the SF Bicycle Coalition. The exhibition and auction will end on Sunday, May 20, at 3pm. For more info, and to see artists bikes go to www.sffineartfair.com. Individual tickets are $25 for one day; $40 for all four days (May 17-20). Proceeds from the sale of the Art Bike benefit the San Francisco Bicycle Coalition.
Shaping SF Bicycle Tour: Dissent *
12-4pm | CounterPULSE, 1310 Mission (at 9th Street)
Join Shaping San Francisco co-director Chris Carlsson for this 4-hour historical tour of San Francisco by bicycle. Bring a snack and water; sliding scale $15-50, benefiting Shaping San Francisco. More info: 415.608.9035.
(Events not sponsored by the SF Bicycle Coalition are marked with an *)
Join the San Francisco Bicycle Coalition and make San Francisco great for bicycling
Become a member and join a diverse group of 12,000 people who are committed to making San Francisco an easier and safer place to ride a bicycle.
When you add your voice you'll keep bike improvements moving forward in San Francisco!
San Francisco Bicycle Coalition
833 Market Street, 10th floor
San Francisco, CA 94103
Contact SF Bicycle Coalition staff
