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SFBC Biker Bulletin

March 2, 2010

"That's part of the ambiance - it doesn't have to be Yosemite. This changed our life. It's incredible."
-- Bill Eadie, S.F. plazas, 'parklets' spout, squeeze out cars, SF Chronicle, Feb. 25, 2010

Table of Contents

  1. Mayor Announces 12 New Street Plazas and Parklets
  2. SF Bicycle Coalition Members Fight for Muni
  3. Another Improvement to Your Wiggle
  4. New Member Meet + Greet
  5. Sunday Streets Wants You
  6. Commit to Making Your City the Best It Can Be
  7. Two Weekends of Family Biking
  8. A.C.T. Bike to the Theater Night
  9. Video: Seattle Mayor Sets Example by Biking to Work
  10. Upcoming Events

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Mayor Announces 12 New Street Plazas and Parklets

Last week Mayor Newsom celebrated the official opening of the "Showplace Triangle" street plaza (at 8th and 16th streets) and announced that the City's Pavement to Parks program will be completing 12 more trial street plazas and "parklets" by the end of 2010. These projects take street space, including car parking spots, and transform them to create gathering spots for the community. The first such plaza opened in May 2009 at 17th Street and Castro streets and has become a popular gathering place for the community. The new parklets build on the idea of PARK(ing) Day, the one-day event that re-purposes street parking spots into extra room for cafe tables and chairs, bike parking, and mini-gardens, giving pedestrians and bicyclists more room. Stay tuned for information about the first parklet opening at Cafe Mojo on Divisadero between Hayes and Grove streets in the next few weeks. The Pavement to Parks program is a wonderful incubator initiative for trialing innovative street reprogramming on a shoe string budget.

The SF Bike Coalition's Great Streets Project works closely with the Pavement to Parks program to scout good locations and connect community groups and businesses with the program. We are organizing volunteers and other resources to help construct and analyze the projects. Get involved in this exciting new effort! If you have carpentry skills and are available March 10, 11 or 12, please contact info@sfgreatstreets.org to help be part of the building crew. If you're more adept with pen and paper and like people watching, contact info@sfgreatstreets.org to be part of the team analyzing the impact of the trial projects. This data is used in deciding whether these trial projects stay, are tweaked or are removed.

SF Bicycle Coalition Members Fight for Muni

In a split vote on Friday, the MTA Board voted 4-3 to cut Muni service by a whopping 10 percent, the largest cuts in their 97-year history -- but thankfully raising fares for the Senior, Disabled, and Youth passes was avoided. With hundreds of transit riders filling City Hall, Board Chairman Tom Nolan announced that the fare increases were off the table in his opening comments to the relief of many. Unfortunately, the Board voted for the 10 percent service cuts, as well as requiring a 'premium pass' to ride Express Buses and Cable Cars, as well as BART. The SF Bicycle Coalition, working with the Transit Not Traffic Coalition, were able to persuade four of the commissioners to speak out in support of extending parking meter hours with Chairman Tom Nolan saying: "We are clearly moving in the direction of extending parking meter hours to Sunday and will look at that more next week." The SF Bicycle Coalition will continue to push the parking meter extension issue as well as other revenue sources for Muni. In the wake of these service cuts, a member-based organization of transit riders is being launched -- join the mailing list to be one of the first to hear about this exciting new project at muniriders.org.

Another Improvement to Your Wiggle

Last week we told you that we were on the scene with the Department of Public Works (DPW) showing them hazardous conditions and dangerously rough pavement along the popular Wiggle route. This week, we're thrilled to tell you that the DPW has repaved over parts of the treacherous areas. The southbound lane requires a bit of inter-departmental coordination and will be fixed soon. Thanks to the DPW for their quick response and thanks to all our members who alerted us to the unsafe conditions. See the before and after photos here, and go take a ride of this new, super smooth pavement.

The SF Bicycle Coalition's Good Roads volunteers are increasingly winning better pavement on long stretches of the bike network ensuring longer-lasting smooth roads and increasing the safety for people walking and biking. You can help smooth the way by joining the friendly Good Roads crew this Saturday, Mar. 6 when they descend on the Tenderloin to mark potholes and hazards and report them to '311'. Remember, you can report potholes and small hazards any day of the week to 311 (by phone or online). If you know of larger hazards on the bike network that are in need of fixing, email Neal.

New Member Meet + Greet

If you've been an SF Bicycle Coalition member for less than a year, you're invited to join us to learn about our advocacy, education and community programs that will make San Francisco a model cycling city, and how you can get involved to keep our work moving forward. This is a great opportunity to learn more about your friendly SF bike advocacy organization and meet other new members. Bring your bike up with you! RSVP to tessa@sfbike.org or (415) 431-2453(BIKE) x301.
Details: Tue., Mar. 9 from 6:30-7:15pm at SF Bicycle Coalition HQ, 995 Market St, Ste 1550

Sunday Streets Wants You

The San Francisco Bicycle Coalition is proud to coordinate the volunteer corps that make car-free Sunday Streets events possible. For each of the nine Sunday Streets events, starting on Sunday, March 14, more than 150 volunteers make each event possible. All volunteers get a Sunday Streets t-shirt, a lunch, and the great feeling that you helped make Sunday Streets possible. Do you want to be a part of the Sunday Streets team that helps make it happen? Sign up to volunteer now at sundaystreetssf.com/volunteer!

Want to make an even bigger impact on Sunday Streets? We are now hiring three Volunteer Organizing Interns for Sunday Streets. Do you have the experience and passion for Sunday Streets to lead hundreds of volunteers over nine events across the city? Information and instructions for applying at sfbike.org/jobs.

Commit to Making Your City the Best It Can Be

Are you trained in SF Bicycle Coalition Outreach and want to volunteer for these events? Email tessa@sfbike.org to help out! Not Outreach Trained? RSVP to Tessa to attend the upcoming training on Tue., Mar. 9 from 7:30-8:30pm at SF Bicycle Coalition HQ, 995 Market St Ste 1550.

SF Bicycle Coalition Outreach at PG+E Wellness Fair: Thu., Mar. 4 | 9am-2pm | PG+E, 77 Beale St. The SF Bicycle Coalition will be doing outreach to PG+E employees about bike advocacy and the benefits of being a SF Bicycle Coalition member.

SF Bicycle Coalition Outreach at Sunday Streets: Sun., Mar. 14, Sun., Apr. 11, Sun., Apr. 18. Sunday Streets is back, providing car-free recreational space for everyone -- get in on the fun! The SF Bicycle Coalition will be out in the streets doing outreach and celebrating the car-free space. Volunteers get a special edition Sunday Streets t-shirt and a free lunch, not to mention that irresistible volunteer glow!

Holla for Haulers: The SF Bicycle Coalition is proud to do all our delivery and events by bike, and we need your help to keep that going. Email Tessa if you're interested in being one of our amazing strong-legged haulers, helping us bike supplies, bike our mail and run bike errands all over town. In addition, we also need a few trailers for our upcoming Tube Times mail delivery. If you can help us bike the Tube Times to the post office, or if you can lend your trailer to the SF Bicycle Coalition, please email Tessa today!

Two Weekends of Family Biking

Car-Free Family Ride on Sunday, March 7th: Join SF Parks Trust for a car-free family ride through Golden Gate Park on Sunday, March 7th. The ride starts at 10am at McLaren Lodge and fun activities will include a "statue search" at the Music Concourse, trivia at the Stow Lake Boathouse, playtime at the Koret Children's Quarter, and so much more! Meet back at McLaren Lodge at 1pm for a bicycle check-up and celebration. Please bring your own water. Party with free beer and tacos (available for purchase) at McLaren Lodge after the bike ride. Dessert potluck. RSVP to Donalda Watson-Walkinshaw at 415-750-5443 or donalda@sfpt.org by Wednesday. March 3.

Bike to School Day Training on Sunday, March 14th: Want to feel more confident in leading or having your child participate in a "Bike Train" from home to school and back? Join the San Francisco Bicycle Coalition for a 2.5 hour training session in preparation for SF Bike to School Day (April 15th) to show families and youth how to improve confidence and safety on the road. The training will empower parents with bicycle helmet fitting, safety checks and skill building drills leading up to a group ride. Youth under 18 must be accompanied by a parent and everyone is required to bring their own bicycles and helmets in good condition. It is especially important that all adult riders "role model" proper helmet usage for youth participants. Pre-register at sfbiketoschoolday.org. Details: Sun., Mar. 14 | 10am-12:30pm | Along the Sunday Streets route, Fisherman's Wharf and Pier 39, south to China Basin and Terry Francois Blvd.

A.C.T. Bike to the Theater Night

Beat those winter blues by pedaling to a performance at the A.C.T. Theater on Thursday March 4th to enjoy John Doyle's Caucasian Chalk Circle, a story of love and power in a war-torn country -- and the best part is the SF Bicycle Coalition will valet park your bike and keep it secure while you enjoy the show! Even better, SF Bicycle Coalition members get a $10 discount just for riding your bike to the theater. To receive your discount, purchase your tickets online at act-sf.org and use promo code BIKE5 (Orchestra and Dress Circle tickets only, subject to availability).

Video: Seattle Mayor Sets Example by Biking to Work

"Mike Bikes" was the slogan of Mike McGinn's mayoral campaign, promoting himself as the mayor who bikes to and from Seattle city hall everyday, setting himself apart from his competitors. Many of his goals and ideals are geared toward livable streets, and his mode of transportation shows his commitment to the cause. In a city similarly hilly to San Francisco, McGinn proves it is possible to self propel your way to work, and to a mayoral position. Watch the video from Streetfilms here: Biking to Work with Seattle's Mayor Mike McGinn

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