San Francisco Bicycle Coalition

Latest SFBC

RSS

Family Biking Profile: Walk and Roll Wednesday

San Francisco Bicycle Coalition, January 24th, 2012

Julie Kessler helps to organize Walk and Roll Wednesdays for her son's school, Sunnyside Elementary.

How long have you been walking/biking to school?

We try and walk to school 2-3 times a week and have been doing so on and off since we started at Sunnyside almost 3 years ago.

Why did you start?

The school is pretty close – just down the hill. It’s a fun walk and great exercise on the way home up the hill!

What’s one fun story from your walking/biking to school?

We speed down the hill on scooters, bikes and running! Downhill all of the way, it’s hard to go slow.

Tell us about the Walk and Roll Wednesdays Program at Sunnyside. What are Walk and Roll Wednesdays?

Walk and Roll Wednesday is a fun program designed to educate all of us about the environment and the things we can do in our daily lives to help make our planet better!

All you need to do is to participate on every Wednesday of the month starting December 7th, 2011 and ended on May 2th, 2012. Take part in one of the activities below and receive

a stamp for your personal passport. At the end of the program in May – there will be lots of prizes for all!

You can participate every Wednesday by:
1. Walking, biking or scooter to school.
2. Taking the bus to school.
3. Composting your food at school.
4. Any earth friendly activity at home or in your community.

What are the prizes for Rock and Roll Wednesdays?

Prizes for this program ROCK! Everyone gets a prize just for participating!

1st Prize is an Electra Super 72 kids’ cruiser & helmet

2nd Prize is a Razor Ultra Pro Lo Kick scooter and helmet

3rd Prize is a cool skateboard and helmet

50 Runner-Up Prizes – Sunnyside Tote Bags containing cool stuff!

How do I get a stamp for my passport?

1. If you walk, come into the foyer of the school Wednesday morning right away for a stamp.
2. If you take the bus, get a transfer from the bus driver and turn it in for a stamp.
3. Compost and you will be given a token to exchange for a stamp.
4. Write a sentence or two about what earth friendly activity you did, have your parents sign the paper and exchange it for a stamp or go to Cooltheearth.org and download an activity coupon.

How Can I get a prize?

1. Everyone gets a prize for participating!
2. Collect 24 stamps & enter to win one of the top 3 prizes
3. Collect 12 stamps or more enter to win one of 50 prizes

What advice would you give to other parents interested in walking/biking to school?

Give yourself some time and schedule it a few times a week if you can. If you are unable, also check in with other families. Carpooling or walking/rolling with other families is a great way to get to school without so many cars.
- Share
Tagged as: Bike to School Day, Family Biking, Family Biking Profile, Profiles, Safe Routes to School, Walk and Roll Wednesdays
Reid Brothers Architectural Ride: S.F. Bike Tour

San Francisco Bicycle Coalition, January 12th, 2012

The Balboa Theater was designed by the Reid Brothers in 1926. They also designed landmark buildings such as the Cliff House, the Fairmont Hotel, and the Golden Gate Park Band Shell.

By Andy Thornley

I can’t remember when I realized the Reid brothers were following me around. Though I fancy myself a student of American architectural history, it didn’t register when I learned that James and Merritt Reid had designed the Balboa Theater (1926). Nor did it ring any bells when I found out that they (and sometimes younger brother Watson) were responsible for the Fairmont Hotel (1906) and the Cliff House (1909) and the Spreckels Temple of Music in Golden Gate Park (a.k.a. the band shell, 1899).

But when the San Francisco Bicycle Coalition moved its now-former offices into a 1908 post-quake pioneer on Market Street, next to a Reid-designed pre-quake department store (still standing), down the street from a second Reid-designed store (likewise still standing) and across the street from an office building and hotel they designed (yes, both still standing), I could no longer deny that this obscure but prolific trio of Canadian architects were haunting me.

Read the rest of this entry »
- Share
Tagged as: Bike About Town, Events, Rec Rides
Member Profile: Andrea Coombes Talks About the Illinois Lanes and Riding the Wiggle

Kristin Smith, January 11th, 2012

What is your name, age, occupation and what neighborhood do you live in? I’m 46 years old and the personal-finance editor at MarketWatch, a financial news website. My husband and I live in San Francisco’s Bayview neighborhood, and both of us bike to work daily – he commutes to the Mission and I work downtown.

How have the Illinois Street bike lanes improved biking for you? My commute entails biking down Third Street, and then cutting over to Illinois St. at Islais Creek. That turn onto the Islais Creek Bridge bike path is a highlight of my commute. As I cross the bridge I stop to watch the birds – great blue herons, grebes, swallows, cormorants and, occasionally, buffleheads – and then continue along Illinois Street, where the new bike lane offers a luxurious sense of space between the cars and me.

What’s your favorite thing about getting around San Francisco by bike? I’ve been biking in San Francisco for more than 25 years, and find it difficult to express how amazing it is to bike in the City now compared to back in the 1980s. The fact that so many more bikers are on the road is a huge benefit, AS IS the now-extensive network of bike lanes, “sharrows” and other improvements. I still remember when I was biking around town with my baby daughter in her bike seat in the early ‘90s. These days, I’m thrilled to see kids and babies on bikes everywhere around town, and to see drivers be much more aware of making room for them.

What’s your favorite destination to bike to in San Francisco? Biking makes me happy, no matter where I’m headed. Partly, of course, that’s because it’s easily the fastest, least frustrating and most refreshing way to get anywhere. I do own a car, so I drive at times and I also take public transportation, but I think the happiness biking inspires allows me to enjoy the City more.It’s hard to pick a favorite ride. I love taking the Wiggle to visit friends in the Haight. But even just doing errands on my bike makes the chores feel fun. One of my favorite adventures — the route varies — is biking from work to meet my husband for dinner somewhere and then heading to the opera. The best part is biking home afterwards, the chill of the night air slowly giving way to my body’s warmth as my husband and I bike past the traffic on South Van Ness, meander through the Mission and then the stillness that is the industrial side of the Bayview at night. Along the way, we discuss the costumes, the staging, the singing, life. Before long, we’ve reached our home in the far southeastern corner of the city and I’ll have biked more than 20 miles in a day without even realizing it.
- Share
Family Biking Profile: Leaving the Minivan at Home

San Francisco Bicycle Coalition, January 10th, 2012

Will and Carla Kessler ride with all three of their kids to school in the morning.

How long have you been biking to school?

This is the second school year we have been biking to school, from the Western Addition where we live to Grattan Elementary in Cole Valley.

Why did you start?

Driving the giant minivan is a huge waste and parking near Grattan is well to near impossible. Plus, we all love biking.

What’s one fun story from your bike ride to school?

Recently our 8-year-old was biking slower and slower, while his 5-year-old brother was getting faster and faster. We couldn’t figure it out for the longest time. Was the 8-year-old’s backpack just getting too heavy with homework? Was he going to bed too late? Then his mom figured it out: low tire pressure! This morning with full tires he screamed through Golden Gate Park.

How does walking/biking to school impact your ability to get to work?

Sometimes I end up getting to work a bit later than I’d like, but that’s also because I bike to work in the opposite direction. However, I have so much fun accompanying the kids (all 3) to school by bike that it’s worth it.

What advice would you give to other parents interested in biking to school?

Find the safest route, and repeat safety rules to your kids 1 billion times. They don’t stick. In a perfect world, we’d all have no cars on the roads when we’re biking too school, but since we must all coexist on the roads, make sure your kids understand traffic flow and where to look, and to check to see if drivers see them. Also, keep in mind, kids on sidewalks on bikes is legal * despite what some residents will scream at you… ignore them. Kids can ride on sidewalks if there is no bike lane.

“Sidewalk Bicycle Riding by Children.” (SFMTA Bd. Res. No. 08-151, 8/19/2008)
- Share
Tagged as: Bike to School Day, Family Biking, Family Biking Profile, Profiles, Safe Routes to School
Family Biking Profile: Time For a Chat on the Way Home from School

San Francisco Bicycle Coalition, January 10th, 2012

Victoria Doll-Polanco works at Buena Vista Elementary School where she is also helping organize Walking School Buses and Bike Trains.

How long have you been walking/biking to school?
I have been walking to school consistently since the beginning of the year, because now all my kids walk to their middle school and I don’t have to drive them to after-programs.

Why did you start?
I would rather walk places because it’s great exercise and good for the environment.

What’s are some things you like about walking/biking to school?
I love running into parents and students when I walk to school. Walking to school with my kids helps us decompress from the day and we’ve had some nice conversations on the way home from school.

What advice would you give to others interested in walking/biking to school?
Even though we only lived one mile from the school, when my 3 kids and I first started riding to school, it took longer than I expected. While the kids were excited to ride their bikes, they were also a little stressed out (as was I since I was the only adult) and that made it harder. I wish we could have organized a bike train with other parents and students because I think that would have lowered the stress levels of everyone.

How are you promoting walking and biking at your school?
We are looking for parents to help lead walking school buses and bike trains. We also need parents to help run a biking, walking and rolling raffle to help motivate more kids to ride or walk to school.
- Share
Tagged as: Bike to School Day, Family Biking, Family Biking Profile, Profiles, Safe Routes to School
Family Biking Profile: Singing on the way to School

San Francisco Bicycle Coalition, January 6th, 2012

James and his son Jonah riding along Valencia Street.

How long have you been walking/biking to school?

Since September (2011).

Why did you start?

We bought bikes and a trail-a-bike for Jonah with the idea that it would be the primary way we’d get him to school from our home in the Mission to the Panhandle.

What’s one fun story from your walking/biking to school? (for you and Jonah as well)

Jonah often sings while riding. Recently it’s been “This Land is Your Land.” It’s a joy for me and for a bunch of pedestrians and other bikers.

How does walking/biking to school impact your ability to get to work?

It doesn’t really. It’s about 20 minutes each way, which is about what it takes if traveling by car given parking on each side (at his school and parking back at home means an additional walk to BART).

What advice would you give to other parents interested in walking/biking to school?

It’s a blast. It’s a great way to get in exercise that’s also for a purpose. My time feels like it’s always at a premium; I’ve got a treadmill that’s sat there for quite some time because it’s so hard to carve out the time. And all of us, my wife and I both bike Jonah to and from school, enjoy getting to experience the city in what feels like a more hands-on way.
- Share
Tagged as: Bike to School Day, Family Biking, Family Biking Profile, Profiles, Safe Routes to School
Act Now to Help Get Separated Bikeways on Fell and Oak in 2012

Kristin Smith, December 20th, 2011

Want to help get separated bikeways on three blocks of Fell and Oak Street between Scott and Baker? Take a few minutes today and ask Mayor Ed Lee and SFMTA Director Ed Reiskin to connect the Panhandle to the Wiggle with separated bikeways. As the SFMTA nears the end of it’s community outreach and planning process and narrows in on likely options, it’s important for our city leaders to hear your story and why separated bikeways on these three blocks of Fell and Oak are important to you.

Click here to send a note to SFMTA chief Ed.Reiskin & Mayor Ed Lee.
- Share
Tagged as: Fell/Oak
Member Profile: Brad Owens Talks About the Illinois St. Bike Lanes

San Francisco Bicycle Coalition , December 15th, 2011

Photo by Nerinna Valera

Brad Owens is one of our terrific members. He lives in the Bayview, and regularly rides the new Illinois bike lanes. We checked in with him to see how he likes the new lanes.

How have the Illinois Street bike lanes improved biking for you?
I feel safer. Before the lanes were striped I often felt I had to ride too close to traffic. Illinois is wide enough for cars, trucks and bikes but the new lanes make it much easier for drivers and cyclists to share. I also find it easier to drive on Illinois, now.

What’s your favorite thing about getting around San Francisco by bike?
I see more of the city. Not more as in “I cover more ground,” but more as in “I have time to pay attention to what’s around me.” On my ride home from work I can stop and watch dogs playing on the lawn at South Beach Park. I can pick up sushi at Moshi Moshi without circling the block to find a parking space.

What’s your favorite destination to bike to in San Francisco?
I ride to work along the Embarcadero. As often as I can, I go out on Pier 14, just south of the Ferry Building, and take a photo of the Bay Bridge. I now have several hundred of these snapshots, each taken around 7 a.m. Depending on the weather and the season, the sky and water can look sepia or gray, or they can be intensely blue, or violet, or orange. My other favorite destination? Mitchell’s Ice Cream.
- Share
Family Biking Profile: Saving Time and Money by Biking

San Francisco Bicycle Coalition, December 13th, 2011

Bicycle Coalition member Dave bikes with his two children to school and day care.

How long have you been biking to school?
I’ve been taking my daughter to some kind of school, pre-school, or day-care since she was one year old (and could 1st wear a helmet).

Why did you start?
We’ve been lucky to be in care situations that have been within a mile or two of our house. When we started, the distance was kind of too far to
walk in a reasonable amount of time (and still get to work), and too close to drive without feeling like we were killing the planet, wasting money, wasting gas, etc. The bike seemed like the perfect fit. The flexibility you gain is incredible.

What’s one fun story from your journey to school?
My chain was getting pretty old and worn and I just hadn’t gotten around to replacing it. It wound up breaking about 3 times in the course of about 5 weeks, luckily every single time after I had dropped off the last kid at school. One day, it finally happened. A block and a half from my
daughter’s school, the chain snapped right in the middle of an intersection. My daughter, the 1st grader said, “Uh oh”. My son, the pre-schooler didn’t really understand what had happened and kept saying “Go daddy! Go! C’mon dad!”. I was too frustrated to say anything, so my daughter walked beside me and my son got a “push ride” the rest of the way like royalty while continually trying to explain to me that I should be pushing on the pedals.

How does walking/biking to school impact your ability to get to work?
It fits in perfectly. I can drop each child off at school and be downtown in minutes, literally. With the changes to Market St., it’s not even
stressful, it’s like Sunday Streets every morning.

What advice would you give to other parents interested in walking/biking to school?
Try it! The kids love it, you’re not dependent on bus or train schedules, or finding, or paying for parking, plus, parents are always looking for some time in their day to get all the amazing benefits of exercise, it’s right there for the taking. You also get to spend time outside with your child every day, that’s priceless.
- Share
Tagged as: Bike to School Day, Family Biking, Family Biking Profile, Profiles
JFK Drive Separated Bikeway Coming in 2012

Kristin Smith, December 12th, 2011

In January 2012, thousands of daily commuters, weekend visitors to the Academy of Science and de Young Museum, and explorers of Golden Gate Park will be enjoying 1.5 miles of separated bikeway on the eastern half of JFK Drive in Golden Gate Park. A special thanks goes to Mayor Lee, Supervisors Mar and Mirkarimi, the SFMTA, the Concourse Authority and the Recreation and Parks Department and Commission for conducting extensive community outreach for this redesign. And special thanks to the hundreds of SF Bicycle Coalition members for sharing your personal stories and speaking up at public hearings in support of this SFMTA project.

Sample Cross-section for JFK Drive

The JFK Drive separated bikeway design includes a continuous painted buffer between the bikeway and moving vehicles, with parked automobiles adding an additional buffer in some sections. This project will be on JFK Drive from Transverse Drive to Stanyan Street, including improved connections to the Panhandle Path. See the SFMTA’s JFK Drive project page for more specific information on the design.

Parking-protected bikeways have been in the ground in cities across North America and around the world for many years with many promising benefits. People biking enjoy an extra level of comfort being separated from motor vehicles – helpful for both seasoned bike commuters and those new to urban biking – and the SF Bicycle Coalition is thrilled to see this first example go in on JFK Drive in Golden Gate Park.

Watch this instructional video from Portland, Oregon that explains what to expect when biking or driving on parking-protected bikeways.

The SFMTA will begin construction in January 2012 and the SF Bicycle Coalition will keep you updated on the project status in the coming weeks. The JFK Drive separated bikeway will be testing out many design features that the SF Bicycle Coalition would like to see replicated across the city on streets like Fell and Oak between Scott and Baker, Polk Street, Masonic Avenue, and more. Stay tuned for ways that you can provide feedback on the JFK Drive separated bikeway directly to the city once it’s in the ground.

Email Neal if you have any questions about the JFK Drive separated bikeway, and watch our Connecting the City video that shows how this idea can grow in the coming years in San Francisco and connect you to neighborhoods across the city by bike.
- Share

Latest SFBC

Family Biking Profile: Walk and Roll Wednesday

Reid Brothers Architectural Ride: S.F. Bike Tour

Read the rest of this entry »

Member Profile: Andrea Coombes Talks About the Illinois Lanes and Riding the Wiggle

Family Biking Profile: Leaving the Minivan at Home

“Sidewalk Bicycle Riding by Children.” (SFMTA Bd. Res. No. 08-151, 8/19/2008)

Family Biking Profile: Time For a Chat on the Way Home from School

Family Biking Profile: Singing on the way to School

Act Now to Help Get Separated Bikeways on Fell and Oak in 2012

Member Profile: Brad Owens Talks About the Illinois St. Bike Lanes

Family Biking Profile: Saving Time and Money by Biking

JFK Drive Separated Bikeway Coming in 2012

Chain of Events

SFBC Flickr Pool