July 31, 2012
"Companies are moving to San Francisco from the Valley because (their employees) don't want to be riding a Wi-Fi bus. They want to ride a bike to work. Companies are trying to get any advantage they can - and location is a key advantage."
-- Caroline Green, San Francisco is Fast Becoming a Technology Hub, USA Today, July 30, 2012.
Biker Bulletin News
- BART Rush-Hour Bike Pilot Starts Friday
- A Summer of New Bikeways
- Final Mission Sunday Streets of 2012
- Practice Biking to School With Us!
- Seeking Talented Board Members
- Save the Date for Tour de Fat, September 22
- Monthly Safety Tip: Proper Passing Etiquette
- How to Keep Your Membership Current
- Discount Partner News
- Welcoming Bonnie Puckett to Our Team
- Video: Dove Bike Rehearsals London 2012
- Upcoming Events
Our Biking for Seniors class was so popular, we're doing it again.
RSVP for the August 18th class.
BART Rush-Hour Bike Pilot Starts Friday
Beginning this Friday, BART launches a trial to allow bikes on its trains all day, even during rush hour, on Fridays in August. BART will monitor and evaluate how this change affects passenger experience and train operation. If all goes well, we expect that BART will seriously consider permanently relaxing the restrictions on bikes during peak commuting times, making BART more accessible to people throughout the Bay Area.
How can you help make the pilot a success? We offer three ways:
- If you bring your bike on BART during these August Fridays, please be especially courteous to your fellow passengers. Avoid crowded cars, and never hold train doors -- let's work to keep everybody's commute smooth.
- If you ride BART, regardless of whether you bring your bike with you, we hope you'll fill out the survey, which will launch next week at www.bart.gov/bikes. Even if you don't notice anything different from an ordinary Friday, that's still useful information for BART staff to hear!
- If you have friends who don't ride BART because of the bike blackout, encourage them to give it a try on Fridays during August. If you or someone you know has a commute that just got a lot easier because of this pilot, we'd love to share your story on our blog. Email Dani and tell us how this change will make your commute easier.
And just as a bonus, if you'd like to volunteer and hand out information about BART's bikes on-board survey at stations on these August Fridays, we'd love the help! Sign up here.
A Summer of New Bikeways
Three years ago, the SF Bicycle Coalition rallied support of our members and neighborhood businesses across the city, resulting in a the approval of the Bike Plan and an unprecedented 45 bike improvement projects. Since June 26, 2009, the City has implemented over 20 miles of new bike lanes, installed over a thousand bike racks (and more than twenty-five on-street bike parking corrals), added green pavement in bike boxes, sharrows, and along Market Street separated bike lanes, and much more. The SFMTA continues to add to that list with recent progress on bikeways on Cesar Chavez East, 17th Street, and 23rd Street, to name a few. Thanks to all our members and volunteers for their hard work to make these much-needed and long-awaited changes happen.
This Summer, we continue to urge our members to send a note of thanks to Mayor Lee and SFMTA chief Ed Reiskin for new bikeways that have made getting around San Francisco easier and more enjoyable for you. Visit our One More Link Page to find the updated list of bikeway projects and an easy way to say thanks to our city leaders.
And stay tuned for neighborhood-specific celebrations in August. We'll be organizing bike rides to check out some of the recent improvements and celebrate at local establishments to toast all of your hard work. Visit sfbike.org/link for more information.
Final Mission Sunday Streets of 2012
This Sunday, August 5, is the fourth and final event in the Mission this year! Then it's on to many other neighborhoods all the way through October! Wish Sunday Streets was every week? Read more about our campaign for a citywide network of weekly Sunday Streets.
Be a Sunday Streets Superhero: You can help make Sunday Streets possible when you volunteer for a three-hour shift. Volunteers get a free Sunday Streets t-shirt and lunch. Sign-up now to volunteer on August 5 in the Mission or August 26 in Chinatown!
Sunday Streets is sponsored by the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency and Livable City. We are proud that the Sunday Streets Volunteer Program is managed by the San Francisco Bicycle Coalition.
Be a Bicycle Ambassador, or Get the Next Generation Rolling: Spend some time at one of the most fun spots at Sunday Streets -- the SF Bicycle Coalition tent -- and talk to happy participants about why you're a member. Bicycle Ambassador shifts at Sunday Streets are 10:30am-1:45pm or 1:15-4:30pm, so you can volunteer and still have time to play in the street! Email Tessa to sign up as a Bicycle Ambassador. Want to help little ones learn to ride at Freedom from Training Wheels at Sunday Streets? It's fun, easy and rewarding! Email Grace to volunteer or find out more about volunteering for Freedom from Training Wheel.
Practice Biking to School With Us!
What comes after Freedom from Training Wheels and some practice? Bike to School Practice Training: On-Road with Your Children. As Summer winds down, it's time to get ready for new school year and have some family fun. We are very happy to continue our monthly Bike to School Practice: On Road with Your Family Classes from now until November on the first Saturday of the month. This Saturday, August 4th will be in the Panhandle, so if your child is already riding on his or her own and you're ready to bike commute as a family, this is the class for you. For all of our Family Bicycling Classes, read more and RSVP for the class of your choice at sfbike.org/family_class.
Seeking Talented Board Members
We are looking for talented San Francisco Bicycle Coalition members who can commit their time and skills toward steering and supporting the organization's work. Half of the seats of the Board of Directors -- a 15-person elected body that oversees our strategy, finances, fundraising and overall organizational health -- will be up for election at the end of this year. To learn more about the current Board of Directors and its work, see sfbike.org/board.
Interested potential candidates should contact Board President Lainie Motamedi by August 3 at boardpresident@sfbike.org.
Save the Date for Tour de Fat, September 22
Tour de Fat, your favorite bicycle and beer festival returns to Golden Gate Park on Saturday, September 22, and you are not going to want to miss out on the ballyhoo. Enjoy the morning bike parade through the park and stay for the bicycling circus of sensory splendor, featuring sideshow acts, a DIY booth, performances by Los Amigos Invisibles, The Moth-True Stories Told Live -- and that's just a few of the day's adventures.
Love Tour de Fat? Hundreds of amazing SF Bicycle Coalition members and volunteers like you help make this bicycle party and fundraiser for the SF Bicycle Coalition happen. Earn a Tour de Fat t-shirt and a free beer token for your efforts! Secure your favorite volunteer spot today.
How about a new shiny ride for Tour de Fat? Win $2,250 to create the bicycle ride of your dreams! One lucky winner (it could be you!) will become the center of the show as he or she gets up on stage, hands over their car keys, and pledges to live one year car-free.
How do you enter to win? All the important details are here or head directly to the San Francisco Tour de Fat Facebook page and upload a 2-minute video entry why you should be chosen. While you're at it, RSVP to let your friends know where you'll be on September 22nd!
Monthly Safety Tip: Proper Passing Etiquette
When your cruising down the bike lane and there's someone in front of you going a bit slower, remember to give them the space they need to feel safe. Since bikes are quiet, when you're passing someone, it's really easy to startle someone who might not be expecting you. Whether it's a person strolling on a path or another bike rider in traffic, a courteous 'On your left' is always helpful. Make sure to give the person plenty of room to feel safe, and never pass another bike rider on the right.
Not the zippy type? Of course, there's nothing wrong with riding slow, but if you aren't moving at the same speed of the rest of traffic, do be courteous of your fellow road users and stay as far to right as is safe. Remember to avoid the 'door zone' and take the lane if you need to, but be aware of traffic behind you when you're taking it easy. We can all make the streets safe for everyone if we ride and drive predictably!
How to Keep Your Membership Current
Do you wish you could automatically renew your SF Bicycle Coalition membership each year? Join the Monthly Sustainer Circle today with a contribution of $10 or more a month and it will renew itself each year. Being a sustainer means you never have to renew your membership -- it continues without interruption as long as you wish. You get a new membership card every year and have the option to cancel or change your payments at any time.
Monthly Sustainers provide reliable funding we need to engage in the ongoing daily advocacy that brings you better biking through more bikeways and bike parking and better policies. It also gives you the advantage of knowing that your membership is always current, and our resources aren't spent on renewal mailings. Sign up to be a Sustainer today.
Discount Partner News
Mike's Bikes: Bikes, gear, free repair clinics and memberships!
We all know, Mike's Bikes carries bikes, lights, locks, and riding gear, but did you know that they also host free repair clinics every Wednesday night at 6pm? Stop on by with your bike and questions, and their expert mechanics will provide you hands on instructions. Pretty cool, eh? It gets better. If you need parts to fix your bike, you can flash your current SF Bicycle Coalition membership card for 15% off parts. Good deal. Not a current member of the SF Bicycle Coalition? Buy a membership at Mikes Bikes during the month of July to get your Bike Shop Discount AND you’ll get the chance to win an SF Bicycle Coalition t-shirt.
What's in Huckleberry Bicycles' safe?
Huckleberry Bicycles, one of our 60 local Discount Partners, found a locked safe in their store's wall and you can win half of contents! Purchase a raffle ticket for only $2 -- or buy 10 or more -- for an invite to the Safe-Cracking Party! Proceeds from the raffle sales will be donated to the San Francisco Bicycle Coalition. So the more tickets you buy, the more chances you have to win and you are improving your daily ride.
Today is the last day to get your raffle tickets, either online or at their bike shop at 1073 Market Street at 7th Street.
Welcoming Bonnie Puckett to Our Team
The Board and Staff of the SF Bicycle Coalition welcomes the newest member of our team -- Bonnie Puckett, as the Events Planner.
Bonnie has been working over 8 years planning large and small events for major corporations and smaller local non-profits in San Francisco. Bonnie will be bringing extensive experience to the SF Bicycle Coalition to improve and expand our city-wide events like Bike to Work Day and Family Day, and make our social events like Winterfest and Golden Wheels even more fun for you. Beyond planning events and riding her bike around town, Bonnie enjoys spending her time as a volunteer with a number of nonprofits from At the Crossroads, PAWS and Gray Area Foundation for the Arts. We are thrilled to welcome Bonnie to our team.
Video: Dove Bike Rehearsals London 2012
The Opening Ceremonies of the 30th Summer Olympiad contained a lot of incredible showmanship, but nothing caught the attention of the SF Bike Staff members as much as this game's Olympic doves. Rather than using real life doves, the London Olympics featured "dove bikes," a group of winged cyclists representing world peace at the Olympic Games.
Check out this gorgeous video that shows what conveys what we've always thought: biking is pretty close to flying.
Upcoming Events
Check out our online calendar of events. To add your bike event to our calendar, simply email the details to us.
** Tuesday, July 31st **
Summer of Bike Love Service Station
5-7pm | Market & Front Streets
Celebrate biking in the city with the San Francisco Bicycle Coalition's Summer of Bike Love. We're throwing a streetside party every Tuesday in July, handing out treats and providing services like pumping up tires or lubing chains. Roll on by, enjoy the free service and say hey!
Want to be part of the Summer of Bike Love as a Bicycle Ambassador and be the reason for smiles on the faces of your fellow riders? Email tessa@sfbike.org if you are a trained Bicycle Ambassador and want to volunteer for the Summer of Bike Love.
** Wednesday, August 1st **
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@sfbike.org
SF Bicycle Coalition Valet Bike Parking: SQFT Mid-Market Pop-up *
7pm-11:00pm | 1106 Market Street
SQFT (www.yoursqft.com) is demonstrating the power of the pop-up in Mid-Market. Play, drink, and nibble with SQFT at the homefrys Game Night! Challenge friends to games like Giant Jenga, Giant Tic Tac Toe, Giant Checkers, and more. There will also be a cash bar and food to fuel your gaming. Complimentary valet bicycle parking provided by the SF Bicycle Coalition. To volunteer to valet park bicycles email tyler@sfbike.org
** Friday, August 3rd **
Bikes on BART August Trial
BART has announced that it will conduct a pilot program that will eliminate restrictions on bringing bicycles on board trains Fridays in August, 2012. The SF Bicycle Coalition and our partners, including the East Bay Bicycle Coalition and the Bikes on Board volunteer committee, have long advocated for BART to make it easier for people to bike to BART and bring their trains into the stations and onto trains if needed. BART will be closely monitoring rider feedback to evaluate the success of this pilot. Volunteers will be stationed outside the faregates at select stations to distribute postcards to riders with information about how to give feedback on the program. BART staff will be on-hand to answer additional questions.Volunteer to help evaluate this August trial by signing up here.
** Sunday, August 5th **
Sunday Streets: Mission
11am-4pm | Mission
Come play in the streets! Sunday Streets provides recreational street space for everyone in neighborhoods across San Francisco. Learn more and get route info at sundaystreetssf.com. Sunday Streets is sponsored by the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency and Livable City, the non-profit fiscal sponsor of Sunday Streets responsible for the day-to-day management of the program.
Volunteer at Sunday Streets and we’ll throw in a free lunch and t-shirt. The SF Bicycle Coalition is proud to manage the Sunday Streets Volunteer Program. Sign up to volunteer at Sunday Streets at sundaystreetssf.com/volunteer or email sundaystreets@sfbike.org.
If you are a trained Bicycle Ambassador, join the SF Bicycle Coalition under the orange tent at Sunday Streets and talk to people about our work! Email tessa@sfbike.org to volunteer.
Family Biking: Freedom from Training Wheels
11am - 2pm | Sunday Streets: Mission
Part four of our Family Biking Classes, we can teach your young one how to balance, turn, and pedal without training wheels. Freedom from Training Wheels, a group effort to get kids riding without training wheels will be a part of this and every Sunday Streets. Bring your child's bike and helmet, if you have one. If not, we have a few balance bikes for kids aged 2-5. Questions? See sfbike.org/freedom.
** Monday, August 6th **
Urban Bicycling Workshop: Intro to Safe Biking
6:30-7:30pm | Sunset Library (1305 18th Ave.)
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. RSVP at http://www.sfbike.org/?edu-intro
** Tuesday, August 7th **
Bicycle Camping and Touring Meet Up *
7pm-10pm | 52 Isis St, San Francisco
Come meet folks who love to travel by bike and share your experiences and plans. Knock on the front door if you'd like the key to bring your bike to the back. http://www.meetup.com/norcal-biketouring/events/68587322/
(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
