November 3, 2003
A person "on a bicycle can go three or four times
faster than the pedestrian, but uses five times
less energy in the process. "
--Ivan Illich, from his book "Energy and Equity"
1) HELP GET A PRO-BIKE MAYOR ELECTED - VOTE TOMORROW!
SFBC-endorsed candidate Matt Gonzalez has gained a lot of momentum this past week, and now is the crunch time to solidify that support into great election returns! There are still a lot of undecided voters in the Mayor's race, and that makes last minute visibility extremely important. We're planning a special SFBC get out the vote event tomorrow at the corner of Market and Van Ness. We need people in the morning and evening to hold up signs and pass out flyers. Available shifts are:
7:30am-8:30am
8:30am- 10am
5pm- 6:30pm
6:30pm- 8pm
Sign up for a shift right now by e-mailing Josh Hart at joshua@sfbike.org. Also, give yourself a well-deserved slap on the back for a job well done at Matt's victory party at 111 Minna, starting at 5pm Tuesday night. Election results will begin rolling in at 8pm, and you are encouraged to get out the vote until then.
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2) TELL A FRIEND TO VOTE YES ON PROP K!
There are a lot of propositions on Tuesday's ballot, including a vital one -- Prop. K -- for anyone who cares about transit and biking in San Francisco. Please take the time to tell at least one friend why it's important to vote YES on Prop. K!
If Prop. K doesn't pass, the City won't have the money to implement the new bike lanes in the Bike Plan Update. This renewal and reprogramming of the existing tax will provide an unprecedented $100 million for bicycle safety, as well as funding for a variety of transit projects that will keep San Francisco moving with less dependence on the car. It provides "local matching funds" that are required to leverage a projected 9 billion additional federal dollars! Most other Bay Area counties have a similar sales tax. None is as transit-, bike-, and pedestrian-oriented as Prop K. Please do this: download a window sign and learn more at http://www.livablecity.org. And please tell your friends that Prop. K is important for bikes!
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3) FISHERMAN'S WHARF BIKE LANES - CRITICAL HEARINGS THIS WEEK
It's time we have a continuous bikeway along our waterfront! The Port of SF and the Bay Conservation and Development Commission (BCDC) are holding meetings to review traffic changes as part of the Fisherman's Wharf Area Plan. Jefferson Street has been a primary focus of the plan so far, and we have made it clear that there needs to be significant improvement for cyclists as part of the plan.
The SFBC-endorsed alternative features (from north to south) a dedicated transit lane for the F-line, westbound bike lane, eastbound travel lane, eastbound bike lane, and parking. This would be the most high profile contra-flow bike lane in the city. Come out and speak in favor of a bike lane proposal that will dramatically improve bicycling conditions along the northern waterfront of San Francisco. It is very important that we get a large turnout at the meetings because of the importance of a continuous bikeway along SF's waterfront.
Two identical hearings will be held this week - come to either or both as your schedule allows: Thursday, November 6th from 6-8pm and Friday, November 7th from 9-11am at Pier 1 (just north of the Ferry Building on Embarcadero @ Market). Contact Josh Hart at joshua@sfbike.org for more information.
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4) MARKET STREET BIKE LANES - WILL THEY FINALLY APPEAR?
You may know that a historic study of potentially vast "transit, bicycle, and pedestrian" improvements is currently underway, with a draft plan to be revealed this week.
How does this draft plan balance competing needs in limited right-of-way? Do bicycle riders finally get a bike lane on Market Street, or is bicycle safety compromised for car access? Will buses finally get the exclusive right-of-way they deserve? Are car traffic restrictions completely excluded as an option, or if they're included, is the traffic impact worth the gain? Find out at an important public hearing:
--> Public Workshop on Market Street Transportation Improvements
--> Thursday, November 6, 2003
--> Ongoing 5pm and 8pm (stop by any time)
--> At the Nordstrom's board room, 865 Market Street @ Fifth Street.
The public is invited to stop by this ongoing, interactive workshop at any time. Brief presentations will be made at 5:30pm, 6:30pm and 7:30pm. Refreshments will be served. To find out more on the Market Street planning efforts, see http://www.sfcta.org/marketstreet.htm or email marketstreet@sfcta.org or call 415-522-4813.
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5) MEET YOUR FELLOW SFBC MEMBERS AT PARTY WEDNESDAY
Yes, one of the best way to meet other bikers is during one of the SFBC's legendary volunteer night parties, where you can help our cause succeed while chatting up that hottie with the great legs who's stuffing envelopes next to you. Our Wednesday night volunteer tradition continues this week, with tasty snacks and a "dinner election", where the cuisine with the most votes (chinese, indian, vietnamese or pizza) gets ordered for dinner that night. Make the mid-week hump easier to get through by spending a few relaxing hours helping the SFBC thrive -- we'll have a ton of volunteer projects each Wednesday through the end of the year, and we can use your help! If you have questions, just give Michael a call at 431-2453x21, or just drop by any Wednesday between 5-9pm at SFBC HQ, 1095 Market St (@ 7th), Suite 215.
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6) WINTERFEST CRAFT TABLE SEEKS YOUR CRAFTINESS!
Back by popular demand, the Winterfest Craft Table is seeking all types of arts and crafts for the popular annual SFBC holiday party and silent auction coming up in December. These include, but are not limited to, crafts made for bicyclists, by bicyclists, or crafts made of bicycle parts! Contact Nancy Botkin at nancy@nancybotkin.com if you'd like to make a donation of if you need inspiration or ideas!
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7) ANOTHER BIG ELECTION: SFBC BOARD OF DIRECTORS
The Mayor's election isn't the only game in town. Our very own SFBC is gearing up to elect its Board of Directors. Members will vote in early December, so stay tuned. Now is the time for interested Board applicants to step up. If you're interested in running, please contact Leah Shahum at 431-BIKE, x-22 orleah@sfbike.org to find out details. Statements from all applicants are due next Friday, November 14th, so please contact us this week if you're interested in running.
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