May 8, 2012
"San Francisco bike commuters will be riding on dramatically different streets this year, thanks to the addition of 23 miles of new bike lanes striped in the last two years, including the city’s first parking-protected bikeway on JFK Drive in Golden Gate Park."
-- Leah Shahum, Bike to Work Day in the Western A, Local Addition, May 7, 2012.
Biker Bulletin News
- Bike to Work Day is this Thursday, May 10
- Fuel-up at one of the 27 Energizer Stations
- Ride with your Elected Officials in a Commuter Convoy
- Park at our Secure Bike Valet at Civic Center BART Station
- Celebrate with us at the Bike From Work Party
- Show Support for 100 Miles of Crosstown Bikeways by Biking to Work
- Let the Bike Doctors Give Your Bike Some Love
- Dress-Up for Bike to Work Day
- Win Sweet Prizes
- There's Still Time To Be a Bike to Work Day Hero
- A Final Chance to Share Your Enthusiasm
- Video: Time Lapse SF Bike to Work Day 2011
- Upcoming Events
Add your voice of support for the Oak and Fell bikeways at a public hearing on Friday, May 18. See details at http://www.sfbike.org/fell.
Bike to Work Day is this Thursday, May 10
Help celebrate the biggest biking day of the year by riding on Bike to Work Day, this Thursday, May 10. Last year on Bike to Work Day, 75% of morning traffic on Market Street was made up of people bicycling! With 20 miles of new bike lanes, San Francisco's first-ever parking-protected bikeway on JFK, and expanded bike parking, this year's Bike to Work Day is sure to be a record breaker you won't want to miss! The San Francisco Bicycle Coalition is excited to be share this Bike to Work Day guide for the biggest celebration of biking San Francisco has ever seen!
Fuel-up at one of the 27 Energizer Stations
With 27 official Energizer Stations all over San Francisco, one is bound to be on your route to work! Stop by on your way to (or from) work and pick up your free reusable Bike to Work Day tote bag, filled with goodies. Fuel-up on snacks and beverages and chat with other bike commuters, get cheered on by volunteers. Find the Energizer Station closest to your route on our handy map: sfbike.org/btwd2012.
Ride with your Elected Officials in a Commuter Convoy
Kick-off your Bike to Work Day by riding with your neighbors and representatives in one of the Commuter Convoys meeting up all across the city! Enjoy the comfort and safety of riding with a group on your morning commute -- whether you are riding from your neighborhood to the downtown area or from San Francisco to the Peninsula, no rider is left behind. We have twelve Commuter Convoys departing from various neighborhood meet-up spots. Lots of elected officials and City leaders will be joining these rides, so dress your best and help share why you bike in the city and how continuous, crosstown bikeways can improve your commute and your city! See the list of Commuter Convoy starting points and departure times here (complete with VIPs that have confirmed so far) at sfbike.org/commuterconvoy.
Commuter Convoys will head to City Hall so you can join Mayor Ed Lee, San Francisco Supervisors, civic and business leaders and your neighbors for the 2012 Bike to Work Day Press Event at 8:30am. Celebrate recent improvements to biking in San Francisco, the 71% increase in the number of people biking in San Francisco in the last five years, and hear about how the city plans on making 2012 the best year yet for biking. Complimentary Bicycle Valet Parking Provided.
Park at our Secure Bike Valet at Civic Center BART Station
Need a safe place to park your bicycle on Bike to Work Day? Take BART to work? Your bicycle will be secure when you park at the SF Bicycle Coalition's complimentary Bike Valet at Civic Center BART station (closest to the BART station entry on Market Street at Hyde, outside the fare gates), Thursday, May 12, from 8am-6pm. See the location of our bike valet on our Bike to Work Day map at sfbike.org/btwd2012.
Help Make Every Day a BART + Bike to Work Day: BART wants to double the percentage of people using bikes to get to BART by 2020. The agency recently released a bicycle access plan, improving bike parking at stations and even evaluating ending the "bike blackout period" during rush hour. BART wants your input on their plan -- see our Bikes on BART page to take a look at the draft BART Bike Plan and send in your comments by May 27!
Celebrate with us at the Bike From Work Party
Celebrate San Francisco's biggest day of bicycling with us at the San Francisco Bicycle Coalition's big Bike from Work Party. The big party includes four tasting stations sponsored by Whole Foods, Levi's Mobile Bike Shop, a free photobooth courtesy of Orange Photography, tunes by DJ Porter Venn of Club Vogue, and of course our fabulous Complimentary Bicycle Valet Parking (on Erie Street).
Enter the SF Bicycle Coalition's Bike to Work Day raffle to win a Masi Strada in your size compliments of Huckleberry Bicycles or a Burley Travoy trailer! Each raffle ticket purchased helps support the SF Bicycle Coalition's work. We hope to see you there! Public Works, 161 Erie St, Thursday, May 10, 6-9pm, $5 for SF Bicycle Coalition members, $10 for non-members or join at the door and get in free! 21+ 
Show Support for 100 Miles of Crosstown Bikeways
This year's Bike to Work Day is a great way to show support for the SF Bicycle Coalition's vision for 100 miles of continuous crosstown bikeways, Connecting the City. In the last few years, the SFMTA has striped miles of new bike lanes and separated bikeways across San Francisco -- including new separated bikeways on JFK Drive and Cesar Chavez Street.
These improvements have resulted in an impressive 71% increase in the number of people biking in San Francisco in the last five years. Through Connecting the City, the SF Bicycle Coalition is working to accelerate the construction of new bikeways in every neighborhood of San Francisco by making biking safer and more comfortable for everyone ages 8 to 80. You can help keep the momentum going and show your support for Connecting the City on Bike to Work Day by:
- Mailing a postcard to Mayor Ed Lee telling him you want separated bikeways and pedestrian improvements on the three blocks of Fell and Oak streets between Scott and Baker streets by the end of the year. The postcard will be in your Bike to Work Day Bag, which you can get at one of San Francisco's 27 official Energizer Stations.
- Signing the petition for 100 miles of crosstown bikeways at your Energizer Station and joining a campaign for a bikeway project in your neighborhood.
- Supporting the work of the San Francisco Bicycle Coalition by joining or renewing your membership, if you are not currently a member. You can join online today.
Let the Bike Doctors Give Your Bike Some Love
Mechanics from local bike shops will help you dust off your old bike and provide free basic bike maintenance to get you rolling on Bike to Work Day, Thursday, May 10. Morning or night, you can find Bike Doctors at 14 of the 27 Energizer Stations -- see the map of Energizer Station locations:
- 7:30-9:30am: Caltrain, Embarcadero, Marina, Mid-Market, Mission, Presidio (opens at 6:30am), and SOMA.
- 5:00-7:00pm: Caltrain, Chinatown, Duboce Bikeway, Panhandle, Embarcadero, SOMA, Mission.
Dress-Up for Bike to Work Day
Already make every day Bike to Work Day? Then we have just the thing for you to make Bike to Work Day special.
We know that people who are trying bicycling for the first time are looking to seasoned experts like yourself. We want them to know they can get to work on a bicycle and look great doing it! Wear your business best on Thursday, May 10, and when someone asks you why you are all dressed up, tell them you are celebrating Bike to Work Day! (Hey long distance commuters! We know that you have a pretty good reason for wearing bike gear when you commute. We encourage you to take part by dressing to the nines once you arrive at work on Bike to Work Day.)
And, when you share your best bicycling outfits like SF Bicycle Coalition member Janet Lafleur did last year (pictured right), you'll be entered in a raffle to win fun bike prizes! Help show that every day can be a Bike to Work Day, and you can always look your best -- no Superman costume changes necessary.
Here is how you can take the Dress-Up Challenge:
- Start planning your classy, bike-friendly Bike to Work Day outfit now!
- Post a photo of your look any time before Bike to Work Day, Thursday, May 10, for a chance to win bikey prizes and inspire others to take the Dress-Up Challenge. To be entered into the raffle, simply post a photo to our wall on Facebook, our group on Flickr, or use Twitter to tweet a link to your photo @sfbike. We are tagging our photos #dressupBTWD.
- We'll share the great looks you post to inspire others, and we will announce raffle winners at the Bike from Work Party.
Win Sweet Prizes
Enter the SF Bicycle Coalition's Bike to Work Day raffle to win a Masi Strada in your size compliments to Huckleberry Bicycles or a Burley Travoy trailer! Each raffle ticket purchased helps support the SF Bicycle Coalition's work. Raffle tickets can be purchased at the Energizer Station at Market and Battery on Bike to Work Day, Thursday May 10 from 7:30am-2pm or at the Bike From Work Party, Thursday May 10 from 6-9pm at Public Works (161 Erie Street near Mission Street and 14th).
You can also sign up for the free Bay Area Bike to Work Day raffle for your chance to win a cool new bike or a bike getaway when you register at youcanbikethere.com/2012-prizes.
There's Still Time To Be a Bike to Work Day Hero
We don't know of a better way to see the impact of Bike to Work Day, Thursday, May 10, than from the perspective of a volunteer! There are still lots of ways you can help:
- Energize evening riders: Cheer on your fellow riders as they ride home or to the Bike from Work Party!
- Volunteer at the Bike From Work Party or with behind-the-scenes logistics at the SF Bicycle Coalition office.
- Be a Bicycle Valet: Help park bikes during the day and in the evening on Bike to Work Day.
Sign up to be a Bike to Work Day hero at
sfbike.org/vol_sign_up_btwd.
A Final Chance to Share Your Enthusiasm
Share your Bicycling Tips as a Bike Buddy: Our friends and fans have been providing tips and tricks for bicycle commuting at facebook.com/sfbike and twitter.com/sfbike (#BikeBuddy) and you can too! Share your favorite tips by tagging them with #BikeBuddy and pass these helpful hints on to your friends in time for Bike to Work Day, May 10.
Do you have a great Bike to Work Day story? The SF Bicycle Coalition wants to know your Bike to Work Day story-- past or future. Did you start biking on a past Bike to Work Day and now make every day a bike to work day? Are you or someone you know riding for the first time on Bike To Work Day? Share your story at sfbike.org/my_story
Post it on Your Wall: Use Facebook to RSVP to the Bike from Work Day Party and post it on your Facebook Wall. Or, share it the old-fashioned way -- stick a poster on a real wall -- download one here or pick some up from our office at 833 Market Street, Floor 10. Thumbtacks not included!
Video: Time Lapse SF Bike to Work Day 2011
On last year's Bike to Work day, bikes accounted for 75% of traffic on Market Street, and there were huge counts along other key biking corridors, like the Panhandle, which has an average of 1,500 bike trips every day. Here's a great time lapsed video that shows the morning Bike to Work Day commute through the Panhandle. This year, we'll have an evening Energizer Station set up on Fell and Masonic, with a bike doctor to do repairs. Pedal by with the thousands of other people who use this biking corridor.
Upcoming Events
Check out our online calendar of events. To add your bike event to our calendar, simply email the details to us.
** Thursday, May 10th **
Bike to Work Day
All Day, Citywide
San Franciscans love biking and one of the most fun and rewarding days to bike is the annual Bike to Work Day Celebration on Thursday, May 10. Join the SF Bicycle Coalition and hundreds of thousands of lawyers, nurses, teachers, waiters and others who will be biking to work on this great day. Energizer Stations will be set up in neighborhoods across the city to offer free coffee, snacks and other goodies and mechanics will even check out your bicycle for free (at select locations). For biking resources and a list of all the fun events of the day visit sfbike.org/btwd
Over 300 incredible volunteers make Bike to Work Day happen. Be a part of the success as a volunteer - sign up at www.sfbike.org/vol_sign_up_btwd
Bike to Work Day Press Event
8:30am | City Hall Polk Street Steps
Join Mayor Ed Lee, San Francisco Supervisors, civic and business leaders and your neighbors for the 2012 Bike to Work Day Press Event. Ride in one of the commuter convoys from every district in San Francisco or come to City Hall at 8:30am for this yearly milestone. Celebrate recent improvements to biking in San Francisco, the 71% increase in the number of people biking in San Francisco in the last 5 years, and hear about how the city plans on making 2012 the best year yet for biking. See sfbike.org/btwd for more information. Complimentary Bicycle Valet Parking Provided.
SF Bicycle Coalition's Bike from Work Party
Thu. May 10, 6-9pm | Public Works, 161 Erie St (near Mission St & 14th St)
Celebrate San Francisco's biggest day of bicycling at the SF Bicycle Coalition's big Bike from Work Party with DJs, a photo booth, fabulous raffle prizes, snacks hosted by Whole Foods and complimentary bicycle valet. $5 for SF Bicycle Coalition members, $10 for non-members, or join at the door and get in free. 21+. For more details see sfbike.org/btwd.
** Friday, May 11th **
SF Bicycle Coalition Office Closed
All Day
The SF Bicycle Coalition office is closed for post Bike to Work Day - we'll reopen on Monday May 14th.
SF Bicycle Coalition Valet Bike Parking: Roger Waters @ AT&T Park *
8pm-11pm | AT&T Park
Enjoy Roger Waters, best known as the bass player, co-lead vocalist, lyricist and the principal songwriter in the rock band Pink Floyd. Complimentary Valet Bicycle Parking provided by the SF Bicycle Coalition.
** Saturday, May 12th **
Urban Bicycling Workshop: Intro to Safe Biking
11:00 AM -12:00 PM | NOPNA Block Party (Lyon & Grove Street)
As part of the North of Panhandle Neighbors Association (NOPNA) annual block party, the SF Bicycle Coalition will be hosting a one-hour workshop on safe bicycling for everyone. Come learn about types of bikes, the rules of the road, and how to make your bike comfortable for everyday riding, including grocery shopping. All skill levels welcome and no bike necessary. This course is funded in part by SFMTA.
** Sunday, May 13th **
CycloFemme and Rickshaw Bagworks Ride *
9am-2pm | Meet at Rickshaw Bagworks, 904 22nd St
A causal 2.5 hour ride up the Embarcadero and across the Golden Gate Bridge to Sausalito for a picnic.
** 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.
(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
