SFBC Biker Bulletin
March 20, 2012
"The Senate transportation bill has finally passed by a vote of 74 to 22....Measures that initially weakened federal support for bicycle and pedestrian projects were mitigated by the Cardin-Cochran amendment, which was incorporated into the bill."
-- Ben Goldman, Senate Passes Two-Year Transportation Bill, 74-22; All Eyes on House, Streetsblog, March 14, 2012.
Biker Bulletin News
- Have you taken the 2012 Member Survey Yet?
- Employee Bicycle Access Bill Passed!
- Come to the Final Fell and Oak Community Meeting
- Make Bike to Work Day Great by Helping Behind the Scenes
- Bike Safety and Education Week Starts Saturday
- Brand New Bike Connections
- Discount Partner News
- Celebrate Sunday Streets as a Volunteer
- Volunteer and Improve Your Ride
- Video: 6,000 Bikes Parked in One Location
- Upcoming Events
Just a reminder: Bike to School Day is April 12. There's still time to register your school for the big day. Sign up at sfbiketoschoolday.org.
Have you taken the 2012 Member Survey Yet?
There is only one day left to take the 2012 Member Survey! If you've already taken it, thank you for your valuable feedback. If not, we are eager to hear from you before the survey closes tomorrow, March 21, at 2pm. Every two years, the San Francisco Bicycle Coalition conducts our Member Survey to get input from members like you about our work and the issues that matter to you most. This is a great opportunity for you to help guide our work to promote and improve bicycling so that you and your loved ones can feel safe and comfortable. As our thanks for your valuable input, we will have a raffle for a San Francisco Bicycle Coalition goodie bag -- including a San Francisco Bicycle Coalition hoodie of your choice, a bike lock, light set, and more! Take the survey now at sfbike.org/survey.
Employee Bicycle Access Bill Passed!
Hooray! Thanks to support of dozens of San Franciscans and the leadership of Supervisor John Avalos and the Building Owners and Managers Association, San Francisco now has the strongest bicycle access law in the nation! This groundbreaking legislation will require the owners of commercial buildings to either provide secure bicycle parking in their buildings or to allow the tenants to bring their bicycles into the building. The bill now goes on to the Mayor's desk, where it is expected to be signed into law.
Since Supervisor Avalos introduced the bill in August of 2011, we've been meeting with and rallying support for this bill, and are thrilled to see this bill approved by so many of the Supervisors, and welcomed by major employers like Twitter and so many San Franciscans. We've been celebrating ourselves, and want to say thank you to everyone who voiced their support for this important bill.
The days of leaving your bike outside all workday are soon over. Find out more about this bill means for you, and how to implement bike parking in your workplace. Full details and FAQ's at sfbike.org/access.
Come to the Final Fell and Oak Community Meeting
Please take an hour from your day on Saturday, March 31 to drop by the SFMTA's third and final community meeting for separated bikeways on Fell and Oak Street between Scott and Baker Street. The SF Bicycle Coalition thanks many of you for attending the first two workshops, talking to your neighbors about this project, or sending in a letter of support to the Mayor. Now, we need you to drop by this open house to ensure that the final project design has support and is improves your safety and comfort.
Date: Saturday, March 31
Time: 10am - 2pm (Open House format - drop by any time in this window)
Location: SF Day School, 350 Masonic at Golden Gate
Complimentary bike valet will be provided by the SF Bicycle Coalition.
The SFMTA has spent months planning and doing community outreach for this project and will present their final conceptual design to improve bicycle and pedestrian safety improvements on these three blocks of Fell and Oak Street. Please come to the Open House to show your support for this critical project and to ensure the design makes biking here safe and comfortable. See sfbike.org/fell for more information and background.
You can also play a crucial part in moving this project forward by spreading the word about the need for this critical biking route to be safer for you and those you love and the upcoming open house. Trained bicycle ambassadors, Email Tessa to sign up for this important outreach on Sunday, March 25 from 1-3 pm on JFK Drive.
Make Bike to Work Day Great by Helping Behind the Scenes
We are gearing up for the biggest and best Bike to Work Day yet on Thursday, May 10. You're a huge part of the excitement of Bike to Work Day. There are so many ways you can help out behind the scenes to ensure this day is bigger and better than ever before.
Nominate a Bike Commuter of the Year. Has someone who rides a bike to work inspired you lately? Maybe someone you know who has been riding in spite of the icky weather? The Bike Commuter of the Year Award honors a resident from each Bay Area county who makes every day a "Bike to Work Day". Nominate someone you admire by April 16 at http://www.youcanbikethere.com/bcoy.
Tell us your Bike to Work Day story! Did you start bicycle commuting on, or in anticipation of, a past Bike to Work Day? We'd like to hear from you: Share your Bike to Work Day story.
Pre-Bike to Work Day logistics + behind the scenes shifts: Help deliver Bike to Work Day supplies as an early riser, assist with logistics the day before Bike to Work Day, be a volunteer runner, or load the delivery vans, all critical volunteer shifts for a winning Bike to Work Day! Sign up for your favorite shift today.
Energizer Station Bicycle Ambassadors: Energize bike commuters at one of our 27 neighborhood Energizer Stations or celebrate at the Bike From Work Party. Claim your favorite spot today!
Daytime office help: Do you have a few daytime hours before Bike to Work Day? You can help distribute posters, run bike errands, stuff envelopes and prep materials, just to name a few. As a daytime volunteer, you'll be showered with bike love and help the SF Bicycle Coalition make Bike to Work Day smooth and successful. Email Tessa if you like to be a daytime Bike to Work Day volunteer.
Workplace Bicycle Ambassador: Here's the best way for you to help get your office ready for Bike to Work Day with a free Employer Toolkit -- be a Workplace Ambassador. The kit comes complete with an official Bike to Work Day poster, employer resources and more! Request your Employer Toolkit at sfbike.org/employertoolkit.
Bike Safety and Education Week Starts Saturday
We're gearing up for our second Bike Safety and Education Week, which starts this Saturday. We will be highlighting information for safe, predictable and legal riding all week, and sharing tips and tricks for everyday riders on our Facebook and Twitter feeds. Plus, we'll be hosting a series of great events to keep everyone pedaling safely and smoothly.
How to Pick the Right Bike For Everyday Living: Whether you're buying a new bike, or want to spruce up your current bike, we'll offer great tips on how you can be sure your bike will get you wherever you need to go! At this lunchtime forum, we'll discuss types of bikes, how to bike in dress clothes, how to carry groceries, how to make your bike comfortable for everyday biking, and of course, the rules of the road. All skill levels welcome, no bike necessary! No need to RSVP, just show up.
Wednesday, Mar. 20 | 12:00-1:00 PM | SF Bicycle Coalition Offices, 833 Market Street, 10th Floor (bring your bike up)
SF Police Department & SF Bicycle Coalition Bike Theft Workshop: Join the SF Police Department and SF Bicycle Coalition for a conversation and workshop on bike theft in the city -- hear from the San Francisco Police Department on what they're doing to fight bike theft and investigate and prevent it. Learn the most effective locking techniques, tips to avoid losing your two-wheeled treasure, see demonstrations of hardware and registration services and find out how to maximize your odds and help the police fight back.
Thursday, Mar. 29 | 6:30-8pm | Community Room, Mission Police Station, Valencia St at 17th Street
Urban Bicycling Workshop: Traffic Skills 101: This four-hour, in-classroom course will cover the basics on how to choose the right bike and properly fit a helmet as well as tips for the safest ways to ride in traffic. You'll also learn techniques to avoid or handle street hazards and emergency maneuvers along with the best way to lock up your bike and how to use a bike in combination with public transit, and biking rights and responsibilities. Sign up at sfbike.org/edu.
Daily Tips and Advice for Safe Legal Riding: While the SF Bicycle Coalition spends each and every day working to improve safety on the streets, this week, we'll be rolling out our new Top 10 laws for bike riders. These 10 laws are on the books to ensure everyone can travel safely and comfortably in the city, and it's important that bike riders share in this goal -- so, we'll be sharing the Top 10 laws for bike riders to know to keep everyone, including yourself, safe and enjoying our wonderful city. Keep an eye on our Facebook and Twitter for links!
Brand New Bike Connections
Despite the rain, new bikeways connecting to southern and western neighborhoods are taking shape. As soon as the pavement is dry, crews will be striping a new parking-protected bikeway on JFK Drive between Stanyan and Transverse. The SFMTA wants to ensure everyone can safely navigate this new street layout in its first few weeks and are looking for volunteers to pass out information about how to use the new JFK Drive to passers-by. If you have a couple of evening or weekend hours to spare and want to help promote bicycling in the Park please contact Miriam Sorrell at the SFMTA for more information.
In the Southeast neighborhoods of San Francisco, the barrier fence for the Cargo Way separated bikeway is going up, parking changes are going into effect on eastern Cesar Chavez, and Bayshore and Loomis bike lanes and improvements are in the queue. Keep your eyes peeled, and let us and our city leaders know how these new bikeways are improving your life as they go in. See sfbike.org/link for more information.
Discount Partner News
City Cycle is throwing a bash this Saturday, March 24, for the grand opening of their newest store in Corte Madera. Check out their website for a full list of the day's events, including a guided ride, live music, food, and raffle prizes! Can't make it to the party? Stop by City Cycle's San Francisco store and buy a raffle ticket (or two!) to support your SF Bicycle Coalition. All proceeds from the raffle benefit the San Francisco and Marin County Bicycle Coalitions. For only $5, you can enter to win the 2012 Trek 7.3 FX and Trek Allant bicycles as well as cycling apparel from City Cycle, Assos, Bontrager, and Cap.
For a complete list of San Francisco Bicycle Coalition discount partner's, visit sfbike.org/discounts.
Celebrate Sunday Streets as a Volunteer
Sunday Streets heads to a new route in Golden Gate Park to the Great Highway Sunday, April 15. Show your Sunday Streets love by volunteering a shift! All volunteers get a Sunday Streets t-shirt, lunch, and the great feeling that you helped make Sunday Streets possible. There is a special treat for people who volunteer for five or more events. 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!
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.
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.
Volunteer and Improve Your Ride
Process data for better streets: Input timely and important petition signatures, update memberships and help record meeting attendance. This is a great volunteer position for people with database experience or detail-oriented individuals interested in learning how a nonprofit operates from the inside. Email Tessa if you have daytime hours Monday-Thursday and want to be a data star at the SF Bicycle Coalition office.
Put your resume at the top of the pile: Bulk up your resume with skills like campaign coordination, volunteer management, GIS mapping or event management. We are actively seeking talented, motivated individuals for our internship program. Apply for an internship today.
Ride your bike with the SF Bicycle Coalition: You can volunteer your strong legs and ride your bike for the SF Bicycle Coalition, distributing posters, running bike errands and hauling supplies via bike trailer. Email Tessa if you have some daytime availability and want to help.
Enjoy biking to school: You're the key to getting the next generation on two wheels. Ride to school with your own children, your nieces, or your neighborhood school. Volunteer to be a part of the big day!
Be a Street Analyst: Help us collect data on how improvements like separated bikeways may change the character of a street. Volunteers will be out for our first round of counts and surveys during the week of April 1st. You will need to attend the March 28th training and commit to at least one two-hour shift. Sign-up as a volunteer Bike Counter to help inform future plans!
Video: 6,000 Bikes Parked in One Location
We are thrilled that the Employee Bicycle Access Bill passed the Board of Supervisors this week. It means that better workplace bike parking is on its way, and the days of locking your bike to a pole and leaving it all day may be over. And with bike parking on the brain, we bring you this incredible video of bicycle parking in the Netherlands. See what it looks like to have 6,000 bikes parked in one location!
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Join the SFBC and add your voice to thousands demanding a city-wide network of bike lanes, traffic calmed streets, better access to transit and secure bike parking. Together we can make San Francisco the most bicycle friendly city in the country!
