March 23, 2010
"This is all about taking the narrative of the 25 percent of our land mass that [is] streets, and begin to take a little bit of that back and open that up for the community and create a framework where there is a stronger community connection, a stronger sense of place and a better community environment as well"
-- Mayor Newsom, Newsom Christens New Mojo Cafe "Parklet," Pledges More to Come, SF Streetsblog, March 18, 2010
Table of Contents
- Big Opening Week for SF's New Parklet
- SF's First Green Bike Lane to Fix Fell Street
- Market Street Continues to Evolve and Improve
- Healthy Saturdays Kick-Off Picnic April 3
- Bike to School Day Needs You
- Wear Your Bike Love
- Two Easy Ways to Help with Bike to Work Day
- 800 lbs. of Mail Need You: Join the Volunteer Team
- Bike to the A.C.T. Theater Night
- Treehouse Talk Friday: Riding the Iron Curtain Trail
- Video: Voices from the National Bike Summit
- Upcoming Events
See and Share Photos
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Big Opening Week for SF's New Parklet
Mayor Newsom and Supervisor Mirkarimi, along with other city leaders and neighborhood residents, gathered to celebrate the opening of the city's first parklet -- landscaped public space that extends the sidewalk in former car parking spots -- in front of Cafe Mojo on Divisadero between Hayes and Grove Streets last week. The parklet, designed by Riyad Ghannam of RG Architecture, a Great Streets Project volunteer and SF Bicycle Coalition member, and built with the help of volunteers from the Coalition's SF Great Streets Project, is an innovative approach to expanding pedestrian space on streets with lots of foot traffic but little room. The parklet features tables and chairs and beautiful greenery that will be managed by Cafe Mojo but available for use by anyone. The Great Streets Project is analyzing this trial project to understand its impact on the street and local businesses. Huge thanks to Riyad and the many wonderful SF Bicycle Coalition volunteers who worked in the rain and hot sun to make this project a reality. It could not have happened without you.
Cafe Mojo and surrounding businesses are already seeing the benefits of increased pedestrian traffic. Remy Nelson, owner of Cafe Mojo, said his biggest problem is keeping things stocked because of the increase in customers. He estimated a 50% increase in customers and sales, and has had to hire two additional staff to accommodate the extra customers.
Look for the opening of the next parklet on 22nd Street at Valencia in the Mission in the next few weeks, and then parklets on Columbus Avenue in North Beach and Clement Street in the Inner Richmond. These projects depend on the incredible efforts of many volunteers. Sign up to be on the SF Bicycle Coalition's Great Streets Project's volunteer alert list (and party list) for these projects by emailing Melissa at info@sfgreatstreets.org. Soon we'll let you know how to help interested business owners in your neighborhood create a parklet.
Read coverage of the Divisadero parklet on SF Streetsblog here and see photos from the opening celebration and the team of amazing volunteers transforming the space.
SF's First Green Bike Lane to Fix Fell Street
For years, the SF Bicycle Coalition has been pushing the SFMTA to fix the dangerous conditions at the Arco Station at Fell and Divisadero streets, where motorists illegally block the bike lane to queue in their hunt for cheap gas. The long lines of cars force cyclists heading toward Golden Gate Park out of the bike lane and into the high speed car traffic of Fell Street. We've been working closely with the SFMTA on new street designs and we're thrilled their bold proposal for this dangerous stretch of the popular 'Wiggle' route where over 1,000 people cycle each day. The City will create a queuing lane for cars to help distingush the bicycle space and install San Francisco's first ever green bike lane.
Cities across the nation -- Portland, New York City, even neighboring South San Francisco and more -- have been showing that colored bike space increases comfort and safety for riders and drivers. The green paint on Fell Street will clearly delineate the space for people on bikes and reduce the likelihood of motorists blocking the bike lane, and an area of dashed green paint will alert cyclists and motorists to share the road and be alert to avoid collisions. The SFMTA intends to re-configure Fell Street in early May to evaluate the design and will add the green pavement in early Summer 2010. See sketches of and read more on the Fell green bike lane from SF Streetsblog here.
Market Street Continues to Evolve and Improve
The SF Bicycle Coalition is excited to announce more improvements for bicycling on Market Street, through the City's Better Market Street trials. Over the past few weeks, SF Bicycle Coalition staff have worked closely with the SFMTA to recommend and develop additional improvements to the intersection of Market and 10th Street to create a clear design that directs all modes of traffic into and through the intersection in a safer manner.
Big thanks to all our members who are giving feedback on the trials by emailing the Better Market Street Initiative, and to the SFMTA for quickly responding to reports of a too-narrow bike lane and confusing traffic patterns. The new design is dramatically better than before. For the first time in San Francisco, "sharrows" lead cyclists through the intersection at Van Ness, and place cyclists to the left of right-turning vehicles, with a row of soft-hit posts protecting the bike lane approaching 10th Street. The SF Bicycle Coalition commends the SFMTA for their use of innovative treatments to help make this tricky intersection work better for all users, innovations that we could use at other confusing intersections across the city. Read more at SF Streetsblog.
The SF Bicycle Coalition will continue to monitor this intersection and see whether any additional improvements can be made. If you haven't ridden on Market Street in a while, now is the time! Take a spin and send your feedback on how it's working for you to marketstreet@sfgov.org. We are continuing to push for more innovative transportation trials on Market Street and our next big effort is urging the City to build a fully separated and continuous bikeway on Market Street in both directions, between Octavia Blvd. and the Embarcadero.
Healthy Saturdays Kick-Off Picnic April 3
Join the SF Bicycle Coalition -- and all park fans -- on Saturday, April 3rd (noon to 2pm) for a casual picnic in Golden Gate Park's 14th Ave E Picnic Area (just west of the Rose Garden) to kick-off another six months of Healthy Saturdays. The SF Bicycle Coalition spent years working with a broad coalition of groups to win this car-free space. Learn more about the SF Bicycle Coalition's successful work on Healthy Saturdays here.
We'll be celebrating this family-friendly, car-free victory in the park with Freedom from Training Wheels for the kids, and for the adults-good ol' lounging and chatting with other awesome SF Bicycle Coalition members. Bring a frisbee, a blanket, and some snacks or drinks to share at this potluck picnic. This is a very child friendly event. We hope to see you there! Rain cancels.
Join the Bike to School Day Training before the Picnic (10am). The SF Bicycle Coalition is hosting a free, 2.5 hour training to empower parents with bicycle helmet fitting, safety checks, and skill-building drills leading up to a group ride in time for Bike to School Day (April 15). Pre-register and read more at sfbiketoschoolday.org
Bike to School Day Needs You
On April 15, 2010, San Francisco's second annual Bike to School Day will help schools across the city celebrate cycling as a healthy way to get to school -- we need your help! Last year, more than 500 students at 25 Schools pedaled to school, and we're expecting an even bigger event this year. The SF Bicycle Coalition is looking for dedicated volunteer parents to: work with teachers and staff to promote Bike to School Day in their child's school and ride with students in 'Bike Trains;' coordinate temporary on-campus bike parking; give out prizes and goodies to biking students; take photos and more. If you can help out, send an email to Jason. Find out more about Bike to School Day at: sfbiketoschoolday.org.
The SF Bicycle Coalition is proud to be a partner in San Francisco's Safe Routes to School Program, which aims to raise a new generation of walkers and bikers by making biking and walking to school easier for parents and kids through education, safer streets and incentives and one-day events like Bike to School Day. Right now the program is in five SFUSD elementary schools and will be in a total of 15 schools by the next school year. Read more about the SF Safe Routes to School Program.
Wear Your Bike Love
Show your bike love and look good doing it in one of the SF Bicycle Coalition's awesome t-shirts and hoodies. From the SF Bicycle Coalition's 2010 limited-edition t-shirt celebrating San Francisco cyclists, to the bicycle movement's classic "Allowed Use of Full Lane" and "One Less Car" designs, there is something for every type of rider. All profits from merchandise sales go directly towards the SF Bicycle Coalition's work to make San Francisco a better place to live and bike. Get yours now, while supplies last, at sfbike.org/store.
Two Easy Ways to Help with Bike to Work Day
1. Be a Bike to Work Day Volunteer! Last year, over 300 amazing volunteers helped make Bike to Work Day a roaring success, and we're hoping to be joined by just as many volunteers this year. Volunteer for Bike to Work Day on your commute route, meet fellow riders, and dispense treats and cycling advice at our neighborhood Energizer Stations. Bike to Work Day is one of the grandest and most fun bike events of the year, but we need you to make it happen. Sign up now at sfbike.org/vol_sign_up_btwd.
2. Request an Employer Toolkit for your workplace: Have a free Bike to Work Day Employer Toolkit mailed to your workplace in April, complete with an official Bike to Work Day poster, employer resources for Bike to Work Day and more! Request your free Employer Toolkit at sfbike.org/employertoolkit.
800 lbs. of Mail Need You: Join the Volunteer Team
Volunteer for Upcoming Sunday Streets on April 11th (along the Great Highway) and April 18th (along 3rd Street to Bayview Playground):
- Talk about our work to people at Sunday Streets: Join the SF Bicycle Coalition under our orange tent at Sunday Streets and talk to people about our work! If you are a trained SF Bicycle Coalition outreach volunteer and would like be an outreach hero(ine) email tessa@sfbike.org.
- Volunteer along the route at Sunday Streets. The SF Bicycle Coalition is proud to coordinate 150 volunteers for each Sunday Streets event. It's the volunteer corps that will make nine car-free Sunday Streets events possible. Volunteers are rewarded with a Sunday Streets t-shirt, a lunch, and the great feeling that you helped make Sunday Streets possible. And if you volunteer for five or more events you'll get a special treat! Be a part of the Sunday Streets team that helps make it happen! Sign up to volunteer now at sundaystreetssf.com/volunteer!
Holla for Haulers: The SF Bicycle Coalition is biking over 800 pounds of Tube Times newsletters to the post office next week, and we need your help to make that happen! Email Tessa today if you're interested in being one of our amazing strong-legged haulers, helping us bike our upcoming Tube Times mail delivery next week.
BART and Bike to Work Day: Help us spread the word about the biggest bicycle day of the year - Bike to Work Day! We'll be handing out flyers at BART stations during rush hour in April, letting BART riders know May 13 is the best day to try biking to work. Do you have an hour in the morning or evening in April for bicycle advocacy? Email Tessa to be part of this new outreach for the best day of the year!
Bike to the A.C.T. Theater Night
The SF Bicycle Coalition is proud to be partnering with the American Conservatory Theater for Bike to the Theater nights. Bike to the April 8th performance of Vigil and let the SF Bicycle Coalition Valet Bike Parking crew keep your bicycle secure. Academy Award winner Olympia Dukakis and beloved Bay Area actor Marco Barricelli star in this terrific stunner that explores complex emotions of family, friendship, and the human condition. Enjoy the best part -- $10 discount on tickets exclusive for SF Bicycle Coalition members! To receive your discount, purchase your tickets online at act-sf.org and use promo code BIKE6 (Orchestra and Dress Circle tickets only, subject to availability).
Treehouse Talk Friday: Riding the Iron Curtain Trail
Two-wheel across the planet, and through modern history, at this special Treehouse Talk, as Michael Cramer, avid bicyclist and Green Party Member of the European Parliament, tells of his travels on the Iron Curtain Trail. For almost half a century, Europe was divided into East and West by the "Iron Curtain"; now the Iron Curtain Trail invites people to retrace and experience this former division of the continent on a 4,400-mile cycle track from the Barents Sea to the Black Sea along the former western border of the Warsaw Treaty States, combining European culture, history and sustainable tourism. Join us for what promises to be a fascinating evening exploring this remarkable bikeway through time and space.
Details: Friday, March 26, 6:30pm, SFBC HQ, 995 Market Street (at 6th)
Video: Voices from the National Bike Summit
Check out this new Streetfilms video covering the 10th National Bike Summit in Washington D.C, which happened earlier this month and was the largest attended event on record. "We help folks think about what a great biking environment looks like, and we gain a lot of that from coming here and seeing what our colleagues in other cities are doing," said Leah Shahum, Executive Director of the SF Bicycle Coalition. The summit is an opportunity for legislators to hear what is happening in communities around the nation, and an opportunity for advocacy organizations like the SF Bicycle Coalition to urge them to support legislation like the ACT Act (to increase federal bike funding) and Safe Routes to School act to make communities more bicycle and pedestrian friendly.
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