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Notes From an SFMTA Polk Street Walking Audit

SF Bicycle Coalition, October 24th, 2012

Polk Street connects thousands of San Franciscans to work, school, the waterfront and thriving commercial corridors from Market Street to the Bay. The San Francisco Bicycle Coalition has a vision for a street with a separated bikeway, calmed traffic and improved intersections to the street making it safer for the large numbers of people walking and biking to the local businesses, shops and restaurants.

We’re thrilled that the SFMTA is looking to improve safety for people biking and walking on Polk Street and we participated in one of the many Walking Audits they’ve planned this week. Be sure to catch one yourself (see sfbike.org/polk to see the schedule) to learn more about the opportunities and challenges of Polk Street. And we hope to see you at the SFMTA’s Open House on Saturday October 27 from 10am – 2pm at 1300 Polk – if you live, work, or travel on Polk Street, you’ll want to attend this Open House to share your ideas on how to make this street better.

The walking audit we went to this week started at Bush Street and went south to Bush Street. The current project is studying Polk Street from McAllister to Union, and there’s lots to see and think about in that stretch.

The SF Bicycle Coalition has been doing outreach to all businesses on Polk Street to make sure business owners and workers are aware of the city’s outreach and planning efforts. As we’ve learned, there are over 200 business on this stretch of Polk – everything from coffee shops and dry cleaners to social service organizations and bars. It’s an amazingly diverse corridor and we hope that making biking and walking safer on this street will bring even more customers to these shops.

The Walking Audits are meant to get the on-the-ground perspective of Polk Street as it is today from people like you. City staff asked the group questions like “So what do you think about the general walkability of this area here?” and “How do you feel about this block compared to the one we were just at?” From our walk, people felt the street has a lot of potential to be a really great walking and biking street, but it doesn’t feel connected.

You can learn a lot about a place when you walk around, and we’re excited to hear the summary of feedback from the 4 walking audits the SFMTA has scheduled this week.

One thing we’ve noticed is the number of parklets and bike racks that have sprung up on Polk Street in recent years. According to SFMTA counts, bike riding is increasing Polk Street even without infrastructure improvements to make it safer and more inviting. There has been a 66% increase in people biking at Polk and Sutter and a 79% at Polk and McAllister (from 2006-2011).

On the walk, it was obvious that people walking and biking are often squeezed into unsafe conditions. The sidewalks are often narrow, double-parked cars make biking chaotic and intersections don’t feel very comfortable when high-speed traffic is whizzing by. Most people in our group were very supportive of making Polk Street safer to bike on – specifically by separating bikes from moving traffic. That’s an idea we’ve heard from our members and we’re excited to see proposals from the city in the coming months.

It’s no surprise that when we surveyed our members earlier this year, 91% of survey respondents said they liked the separation from motor vehicles as depicted above most of all.

What kind of transportation changes do you want to see on Polk Street? There are two more walking audits (Thursday morning and Saturday morning) and an Open House on Saturday October 27 – please join one of these events to learn more about the project and speak up for bike and pedestrian safety improvements you want to see move forward.

See sfbike.org/polk for more information and contact Neal@sfbike.org if you have any questions.
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Tagged as: Connecting the City, North-South, Polk
Pilot Projects Improve Travel on the Embarcadero

SF Bicycle Coalition, October 10th, 2012

As we wrote about in our Tube Times Cover Story this Fall, the SF Bicycle Coalition is working to pilot separated bikeways and innovate street designs in the coming months. We got to witness the power of pilots this last weekend when the city tested some ideas for better biking and walking to some of the huge events in San Francisco this last weekend. A huge kudos goes to the SFMTA and Mayor’s Office for their hard work in getting these ideas off the ground. Here’s what we saw:

The SFMTA put out new wayfinding and directional signs along many San Francisco streets to point people towards the Marina Green where many of the weekend’s activities took place. These new signs show the distance and approximate travel time for people on bikes. Did you spot any of these over the weekend? We’d love to see these adapted for use all over San Francisco’s bike network, pointing the way to key destinations, neighborhoods and commercial corridors across the city.

As soon as the America’s Cup events were announced last year, the SF Bicycle Coalition has focused our efforts to improve biking and walking along the Embarcadero and other streets leading to the Marina Green. Thanks to the SFMTA for delivering an improved access route to the event along the Embacadero and Bay Street.

The separated bikeway on the Embarcadero started at Washington Street and continued up to Bay Street. Based on our observations, the extra space was heavily used and necessary for getting the throngs of people biking and walking to Marina Green. More inviting space for people biking on the street on the Embarcadero freed up space for pedestrians on the Promenade – an idea the SF Bicycle Coalition is pursuing on a permanent basis.

Near Pier 30-32, a narrowed Promenade on the Embarcadero meant people spilled onto the street, and the lack of a protected bikeway meant a tight squeeze for bike traffic coming from Southeast neighborhoods and CalTrain. We are working with the city to extend the temporary bikeway south to the CalTrain station for future events.

While the temporary bikeway was only meant to function for north-bound travelers, many did traverse in the southbound direction. The city could add temporary traffic signals and/or Parking Control Officers (PCOs) to manage two-way bike traffic along the route and at intersections and we’re hopeful that future pilots will test those ideas.

Simple steel barriers were used for this pilot – similar to those the city uses for parades and other events. While these barricades are functional, the SF Bicycle Coalition is working with designers and city staff on developing new ideas for barriers that enhance the public space by including art, greenery, seating or simply look prettier than what the city currently has on hand.

The arrival of two cruise ships on the Embarcadero at North Point required bike traffic to travel on Bay Street towards Mason. The SFMTA made a great effort to organize this tricky intersection with some pavement markings and PCOs, though people in all modes of transportation slowed down and massed near that intersection.

Bay Street was surprisingly quiet. The SFMTA restricted curbside parking temporarily to allow space for people biking.

The SF Bicycle Coalition provided free valet bike parking near Aquatic Park and Marina Green, and with promotion of the service through SFMTA, SF Bicycle Coalition and 511.org media channels, they were well used.

SFMTA staff was present throughout the weekend measuring the impact of this pilot through counts and other observations – we’ll report back when we learn more.

We want to thank the SFMTA and Mayor’s Office for piloting improvements to walking and biking on the Embarcadero – it’s a step in the right direction for accommodating the growing numbers of people biking and walking and testing ideas that can inform more permanent redesigns. The SF Bicycle Coalition is working to bring more pilots to the Embarcadero and other streets in San Francisco.

If you have any thoughts on the temporary improvements the city laid out this past weekend, please contact Neal@sfbike.org. See our Flickr page for more photos.
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The Power of Pilot Projects

SF Bicycle Coalition, October 9th, 2012

Have you noticed? San Francisco streets are changing. From new bikeways, to pedestrian improvements, to on-street bike parking and better public space, our city streets are becoming safer and more bike and pedestrian friendly.

And some of the biggest changes to our streets have started as pilots. Parklets and required right turns on Market Street are just two successes that began as demonstrations. Now it’s hard to imagine life without them.

Your San Francisco Bicycle Coalition has been active in instituting pilots all across the city. Recently, we worked in conjunction with BART and the East Bay Bicycle Coalition to implement a pilot removal of the BART bike blackout period. If you travel regionally by bike, this August’s pilot probably made your Friday commute easier. Before that, through our Great Streets Project, we helped launch pilots that opened up public space around the city—from parklets to 17th Street plaza to Powell Street Promenade.

And we’re getting ready to embark on the next round of pilots: separated bikeway trials across the city.

SHOWCASING SEPARATED BIKEWAYS
Separated bikeways, parking protected bikeways and raised bikeways seem like simple concepts if you’ve ever traveled to places like Copenhagen, Holland, Montreal, Berlin, Mexico City and, increasingly, New York City and Chicago. But if you haven’t visited these cities — or you aren’t familiar with the SF Bicycle Coalition’s Connecting the City vision — these new kinds of bikeways may sound as strange and confusing as parklets did four years ago.

That’s where pilots help. Pilots allow people to sample a design idea, to understand how it works, and for the City to evaluate what’s working or not — without making expensive or permanent changes. These pilots whet the public’s appetite for innovative projects, while making your ride safer.

Three pilots — on 2nd Street, Polk Street and the Embarcadero — are poised to help both refine the design of separated bikeways and also help educate San Franciscans, most of whom have never experienced one, about their benefits. And it’s all happening over the next year.

Your San Francisco Bicycle Coalition is working with local landscape architects and designers, the SF Municipal Transportation Agency, Department of Public Works and other agencies to help develop and pilot three demonstration blocks over the next year that include the next generation of bikeways. For all these projects, the demonstration block(s) will be a key step towards building a permanent, full and successful project.

THE PROJECTS
»» 2nd Street: As part of the 2nd Street Improvement Project, led by the Department of Public Works, we are working with community members, businesses and designers to help the City test street design concepts that arise during the community process. The pilot is intended to inform the community process along this key neighborhood destination and corridor link between SOMA and the rest of the city. Look for a community-led demonstration project on 2nd Street this Fall that includes, among other things, a separated bikeway.
»» Polk Street: The SF Municipal Transportation Agency is using the planned repaving of Polk Street to kick off a project to rethink Polk Street as a place that’s even more vibrant and safer for walking and biking. We are connecting the city with designers and other resources to help them develop a compelling demonstration project that should include a separated bikeway. The demonstration project should be on the ground in early 2013.

»» Embarcadero: The America’s Cup has focused attention on our waterfront, including the Embarcadero. The “People’s Plan,” the City’s plan for the event, calls for a separated bikeway on the Embarcadero for both the trial events in 2012 and the main event in Summer 2013. We are working with the City and local stakeholders to use the planned separated bikeway to test a robust, bikeway that can serve as a model and inspiration for a permanent re-imagining of the Embarcadero.

There are key lessons of both the parklet movement and the pilots of required right turns on Market Street at 6th and 10th Street that can be applied to this separated bikeways pilots. First, is the importance of design and bringing a placemaking approach to the projects and investing in meaningful evaluation. Parklets would not have become popular and well loved if the designs were not almost uniformly beautiful and appropriate to the neighborhood. Similarly, the bikeways of the future must be the kind of design that makes people smile and creates a sense of pride and distinction to the street — bolstering shopping and fostering a sense of community.

This may sound like a lot for a mere bikeway, but take heart: New York City has, in many cases, set a great precedent for ensuring that their next generation of bikeways truly improve the street and neighborhood on all levels. We can, and must do it right. This is why we are working with a number of leaders in the design world to develop a toolkit of attractive, modular parts that can be used to demonstrate the next generation bikeways — and more — on these three streets. We want you to have that same experience you did when you saw your first parklet: the “oh” and “of course!” and “more!”

And beyond that first reaction, you’ll also be able to test it and see for yourself whether you like the new designs; San Francisco is still in the early stages of figuring out optimal designs for some of the next generation bikeways. Your feedback will be essential in that process. We plan to work with the City and local groups to ensure that there is a robust evaluation process, looking at all aspects of the demonstration projects, so that people’s feedback can drive changes to the project. On the Market Street pilot, the project initially had a required turn at 8th Street, not 10th. But feedback from users and others helped the City to tweak the project before it was finalized and made permanent.

Civic innovation is so rare, even in our startup city. San Francisco has been proven that it can be a leader in embracing new ideas. This coming year will be an exciting opportunity to see that energy go toward the bikeways of the future, bringing them here to us to see, use and tweak — today. We hope that you will be a part of this moment.

As people who bike in San Francisco, we hope these pilots will make your commute to work and trip to the store easier, safer and more fun. But we also hope you get involved in these campaigns, and ensure that 2nd, Polk and Embarcadero pilots are as successful as parklets and the required right turn on Market In the next year, you will be hearing a lot from us about how you can help shape, build, market and evaluate these demonstration projects.
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Biking Teacher

SF Bicycle Coalition, October 5th, 2012

Judy Chow teaches at Ulloa Elementary School. She’s one of hundreds of San Francisco teachers who bike to school. We caught up with her to find out about how her commute is, what her students think, and how she likes the new Sloat bike lanes.

How long have you been biking to school?
I have been biking to school for 10 -12 years.

Why did you start?
A colleague of mine was biking and I thought I give it a try. So I started biking to and from school and that was it. I was hooked and love how energetic I felt.

What’s one fun story from your bike ride to school?
When I ride I see many Ulloa students walking to school with their parents. Later at school they would say “Ms. Chow I saw you riding your bike!” Then there was the time it was raining, the students would ask, “Are you riding your bike?” I mention getting a little rain or getting wet isn’t too bad. I dry off when Iget home. Many would comment how they ride their bike around where they live. Many students know me as the teacher who rides her bike to school all the time.

How do you see the new bike lane improvement to Sloat Blvd affecting biking in the Sunset?
I glad that the bike lane has been put in. We have so many bike riders who can now ride on Sloat to Lake Merced and out to Skyline. I can’t wait for the bike lane on Skyline. It definitely makes it safer for the people biking. Thank you, we truly appreciate it!
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Tagged as: biking teacher, biking to school, Family Biking Profile, sfsrts, Sloat Blvd, srts, Ulloa Elementary School, youth and family biking
Biking: Best Way to Get Around This Busy Weekend!

SF Bicycle Coalition, October 3rd, 2012
With Giants playoff games, 49ers home game, Fleet Week, America’s Cup Races, Hardly Strictly Bluegrass, and a myriad of other events, San Francisco streets and transit will be overflowing. So what’s the best way to get around the city and see all the events? By bike, of course!

Bicycling will be the easiest, quickest and most enjoyable way to get around the city this weekend. And to make it even easier, new bikeways and free, secure valet bike parking will be in place to accommodate the huge number of people who will be bicycling.

Valet Bicycle Parking

This weekend, free valet bike parking at the following locations:
- America’s Cup: October 3-7 from 10am-7pm at the Marina Green
  (Marina Boulevard and Webster)
- Fleet Week: October 5-7 from 10am-7pm at the Aquatic Park
  (Beach Street end)
- Giants Games: October 6-7, times TBD at bicycle valet station on south side of ballpark on Portwalk. See www.sfbike.org/giants for more details.
- Hardly Strictly Bluegrass will be providing its own valet bicycle parking at various locations in Golden Gate Park. See http://t.co/Dt2KMxO9 for a full map.
Valet bicycle parking is a longtime San Francisco tradition, which has been implemented by cities throughout the country, particularly at sporting events and large public, outdoor gatherings. The San Francisco Bicycle Coalition provides free bicycle valet at more than 75 events each year, including all San Francisco Giants home games. This year alone, the SF Bicycle Coalition has valet parked more than 10,000 bicycles.

Dedicated Bikeway on the Waterfront

As called for in the America’s Cup People Plan, along the busy Embarcadero, people on bikes will have a dedicated bikeway in place for this weekend from Washington Street to Bay Street, and on Bay Street from Embarcadero to Mason Street. The bikeway provides a safe, separated space for people on bike, while allowing more walking space on the existing pathway for the huge numbers of people expected for Fleet Week and America’s Cup and visiting cruise ships.

Bicycle Route Planning

Planning a trip by bike is easy! Just visit http://511.org/americascup/biking.asp for full trip planning details. In addition to great crosstown routes like Polk Street, the Wiggle, and the Embarcadero, the site offers tips about bringing your bike on transit. Bikes are allowed on BART and Caltrain, as well as Muni buses. Muni trains do not allow bikes.

Happy pedaling!
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City of San Francisco Issues Five-Year State of Cycling Report

SF Bicycle Coalition, September 18th, 2012
City of San Francisco Issues Five-Year State of Cycling Report

Report Shows Huge Growth in Ridership and Support for Better Biking/Highlights Need for More Improvements and How SF is Falling Behind Other Cities

SAN FRANCISCO — Today, the City of San Francisco released its 2012 State of Cycling Report. The report, published every five years, tracks data regarding the number of people bicycling, as well as issues findings on public opinions about bicycling.

The comprehensive report, published by the SF Municipal Transportation Agency, shows significant growth in the number of people bicycling for transportation; strong public support for adding greater bicycling infrastructure, with a preference for physically separated bikeways; and the potential to invite more people to bike through more separated bikeways and education programs. (Key findings highlighted below.)

“The report confirms what we are seeing on the streets – that more people are bicycling every day in San Francisco, from tech employees riding to work to parents shepherding kids to school,” says Leah Shahum, Executive Director of the San Francisco Bicycle Coalition, a 12,000-member based group promoting bicycling for everyday transportation.

The Report also reveals how far San Francisco has to go to be a truly safe and comfortable city for bicycling. While the overall percentage of people biking is higher than most cities (3.5%), San Francisco is still miles away from its official City goal of 20% of trips by 2020. When compared with other cities, the State of Cycling Report shows that San Francisco is falling behind other cities in commitment to better biking.

“While City leaders should celebrate the good news in the State of Cycling Report, they also have reason for concern as San Francisco risks falling behind other major U.S. cities that are committing more fully and quickly to growing and improving bicycling,” says Shahum.

Chicago’s Mayor Rahm Emanuel has championed a new plan – Streets for Cycling 2020 — committing to the installation of 100 miles of separated bikeways over the next four years; NYC’s plan calls for 1,800 bike-lane miles by 2030; and Los Angeles County is planning for over 800 miles of new bike lanes in the next 20 years. Yet the City of San Francisco has yet to release a plan of how to reach the official goal of 20% of trips by 2020.

Additionally, San Francisco ranks 18th in per capita funding to bicycle and pedestrian projects, with $2.55 spent per person, which is far below Washington D.C. ($9.82), Minneapolis ($9.47), Sacramento ($8.45), and Oakland ($4.95). (Source: Alliance for Biking & Walking, “Bicycling and Walking in the United States, 2012 Benchmarking Report”)

“There is no doubt that the City’s increased investment in creating more dedicated biking space on our streets, especially physically separated bikeways, is yielding positive results by encouraging more people to start riding,” says the SF Bicycle Coalition’s Shahum. “The question now is whether the City will maximize this low-cost, high-benefit opportunity by committing more fully and quickly to building out a network of safe, comfortable bikeways that connect every neighborhood and commercial corridor.”

“The state of bicycling in San Francisco is indeed strong,” says Shahum, “but it can and should be much stronger by connecting our city more quickly with great bikeways and welcoming more people to biking with a robust bikeshare program and great bike parking options. Making San Francisco a more bike-friendly place will help our city be even more successful in reaching our goals of growing jobs locally and improving our overall accessibility, sustainability and public health.”

Major Findings of the 2012 State of Cycling Report include:
- The number of people biking in San Francisco has increased a dramatic 71% in the last five years, with some neighborhoods seeing growths of more than 120%.
- San Francisco is third in the nation for ridership, behind Portland, Oregon and Seattle, Washington. San Francisco currently has 3.5% of trips by bicycle, compared to the 2.1% five years ago. (This data is from the ACS/spell out, which is actually believed to undercount the number of people biking, as it only counts commute trips.)
- Bicycle ridership is growing because of public outreach, bicycle education programs, and key infrastructure advances, like the new separated bikeways on JFK Drive, Cargo Way and Cesar Chavez Street.
- In the last five years, more than 25 miles of bike lanes have been added, bringing the citywide total to 65 miles.
- Since 2008, there has been a statistically significant decrease in sidewalk bicycle riding, with 94% of people riding legally (not on the sidewalks and the right direction)
- Many people who do not bike already indicated that they don’t bike because they feel unsafe riding next to cars.
- 94% of survey respondents said they feel comfortable riding on bikeways that are physically separated from cars.
- Continued and expanded bicycle education classes will help encourage more people to try bicycling and to feel confident biking in San Francisco.
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Safer Detour Through the Panhandle

SF Bicycle Coalition, September 17th, 2012

One of the key ways the SF Bicycle Coalition helps keep your ride safe and smooth is by making sure construction sites are safe for everyone – but we need you, the members help. Our staff depend on our 12,000 members to be the eyes and ears, and look for you to alert us when you see something unsafe for people biking or walking.

On Friday we received a phone call from one of our members about the unsafe and un-permitted closure of the Panhandle at Masonic Avenue. In response, we jumped into action, alerting the Safe Paths of Travel (SPOT) Program of the SFMTA, who enforce construction site safety, and compliance with city policies. The SPOT Program team spoke to the contractors on the phone, who assured them they would be done with work by 4:00 PM on Friday, and set up a meeting for Monday morning at 10:00 AM, when the contractors permit began.

Unfortunately, on Monday morning, the contractor began work early – during the rush hour commute, forcing hundreds of people bicycling and walking into busy Masonic Avenue and riding the wrong way on Fell Street. SF Bicycle Coalition staff alerted SPOT inspectors again, who headed to the site immediately and issued an official warning to the contractor, and fixed the site for everyone’s safety.

As of 10:30 AM on Monday, the crosswalk was reopened, and anyone traveling by foot or bike now have a safe path – all thanks to our members and staff. While we know that, sometimes, construction will disrupt bicycle routes – but it’s important construction sites are preparing a safe, clear, and legal way for people on foot or bike to get through.

While we are working closely with the SFMTA, DPW, and other agencies to help design smart detours for many projects, sometimes, others surprise us. So, we need you to help be our eyes on the street — if you see a hazardous construction site where foot or bicycle traffic is being diverted unsafely, let us know by emailing program manager, Marc Caswell at marc@sfbike.org. Make sure to include a description of the problem, the location, date, and time, and photos, if possible.

And, remember, the only way the SF Bicycle Coalition can do this important work is with the support of people like you – who want a
safe and easy way to get around town by foot and bike. If you aren’t a member, join our 12,000 member coalition at sfbike.org/join !
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Why Your Market Street Ride Just Got Better

SF Bicycle Coalition, September 11th, 2012

If you’re one of the thousands of people who bike to work on Market Street, you know how bumpy and unsafe the pavement on this key biking corridor is. Well, we’ve got some great news for you…

Thanks to the advocacy of your SF Bicycle Coalition staff, the City will be repairing and repaving large sections of Market Street this month, creating a smoother, safer ride for you!

Huge thanks to the Department of Public Works and the San Francisco Metropolitan Transportation Agency for prioritizing this important project and making the daily bike commute safer and smoother for thousands of San Franciscans.

We heard from many of you that Market Street pavement was your number one concern, so we made it our focus. SF Bicycle Coalition staff literally walked every block of Market with the DPW, pointing out the most unsafe areas for those of us biking. The initial repaving was a simple patch job over a few small areas, and after working with the City, we helped expand the repaving to 30 locations, and over 15,000 square feet of new pavement.

Repaving is scheduled for September 10-23, and work will happen at night to reduce disruptions to your commute. New pavement has already been laid down in a few locations, and we’ll be keeping an eye on the streets to make sure that all of those unsafe spots get fresh and smooth pavement.

Ushering in this smoother pavement is only one part of our Market Street work. Your SF Bicycle Coalition continues our work to build a better Market Street, with a continuous green, separated bikeway — a project slated to begin in 2016. But we knew you couldn’t wait until then for smoother pavement so we’ve been working hard to win near-term improvements. See YOU in the smoother bikeway!

If great improvements like this Market Street repaving make a difference in your ride, please consider giving to our summer fundraising campaign. We’re working to get smooth pavement and separated bikeways on other streets that matter to you–and that takes a lot of resources. We are only $3,000 short of our fundraising goal. Please help us reach that goal, and ensure that you’re riding on smoother and safer streets all across the city.
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Tagged as: Market Street
A Neighborhood Leader for a Safer Masonic Avenue

SF Bicycle Coalition, September 6th, 2012

Meet Michael Helquist. Michael has been a long-time member and volunteer of the San Francisco Bicycle Coalition (and a past Golden Wheel Award Winner). You may have seen him pumping up your tires at a Service Station, circling potholes in bike lanes so the city can patch them, and recently, building support among his neighbors for an improved Masonic Avenue. Join him in voicing your support for bicycle and pedestrian safety improvements on Masonic Avenue by writing a support letter or coming to the SFMTA Board hearing to approve the Boulevard proposal for this corridor.

Name: Michael Helquist

Neighborhood: North Panhandle, NOPA

How long have you been biking in San Francisco?:

I’ve been biking for every-day trips and for fun for the last 5 years.

What’s your favorite thing about biking in San Francisco?:

Two favorites: being part of a positive, energetic community and the immediacy of being outdoors, more exposed to the weather, the street sites and people.

What has been your involvement with SF Bicycle Coalition and our Masonic Avenue campaign?

My partner, Dale Danley, and neighbors encouraged me to join Fix Masonic, a grassroots group, that works closely with the SF Bicycle Coalition on Masonic improvements. Over a three-year period we worked with neighbors, merchants and city officials to bring attention and city energy to creating a better Masonic Avenue. The SF Bicycle Coalition has provided essential leadership as a complete re-design of Masonic was developed and refined with community input. I was able to track the developments on my bike blog, BIKE NOPA.

How else have you been involved with SF Bicycle Coalition?:

My first major involvement was with the Good Roads campaign to fill the potholes in bike lanes and to help the city make smoother, safer bicycling an ongoing priority. The SF Bicycle Coalition has developed a solid partnership with city agencies to ensure smooth spinning. Early on I was a regular Bicycle Ambassador – setting up shop across the city and building support for new bikeways and recruiting new members for the SF Bicycle Coalition. It’s a great way to meet people. And I wouldn’t miss volunteering every year at Bike to Work Day Energizer Station.

What do your neighbors say about Masonic Avenue?:

“What’s taking so long? When will the changes start? I’m scared to walk, bike or drive Masonic.”

Any final thoughts?:

We have the chance to make Masonic a showcase corridor that works for everyone who uses it. We can present to San Franciscans and visitors how to move all traffic in a safer, calmer and more sustainable way.
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Tagged as: Masonic, Profiles
Waterfront Adventures via New Southeast Bike Lanes

SF Bicycle Coalition, August 28th, 2012

Published in SF Chronicle, August 22, 2012
Three neighborhoods in southeast San Francisco – Bayview, Hunters Point and the Dogpatch – have been bursting with new bike lanes in the past six months, opening up great new rides for anyone looking to explore more of the city on two wheels.

Among the two biggest improvements linking these neighborhoods are the buffered bike lanes – those with a large painted buffer along eastern Cesar Chavez Street and the bikeway on Cargo Way protected by fencing.

The lanes allow riders to explore some of the best waterfront parks and viewing areas in the city. And, because most tourists congregate along the north end of the city’s waterfront, riders might have these spots all to themselves. Explore the lanes individually, or link them together for a longer waterfront ride.

The new bikeway on Cesar Chavez between Highway 101 and Interstate 280 has made riding easier for San Franciscans since it started taking shape a few months ago. It has also made it easier to get to some of the great, and often underutilized, waterfront parks.

The new Cesar Chavez bike lane links to Warm Water Cove Park off of Illinois Street, which also has a new bike lane. Take the Cesar Chavez bike lane to Illinois Street, turn left on Illinois and right on 24th Street, and you’ll find yourself at this small park. Join the local fishermen in admiring the views from the industrial spot.

Want to keep exploring? There are a few pocket parks and viewing areas along Islais Creek, just south of Cesar Chavez, and along Illinois Street. The Oracle team keeps their boats here, and you may catch a glimpse of them preparing for the upcoming America’s Cup races.
Cargo Way

The new separated bikeway on Cargo Way opens up a few great waterfront parks for people on bikes. You can get to Cargo Way from Third Street or Illinois Street, much of the ride affording great water views.

Pedal your way south to Cargo Way and take the new two-way separated bikeway all the way to Heron’s Head Park. This 24-acre park is a great spot for bird watching; there are more than 100 different types of birds that call this small southern park home. Swing by the EcoCenter for environmental education and community activities.

Keep pedaling south on Jennings Street/Middle Point Road, turn left on Innes Avenue and left onto Hunters Point Boulevard to reach another great spot: India Basin Shoreline Park. This 11-acre park is along the Bay Trail and is the only designated natural area on the bay in San Francisco. Like Heron’s Head, this is a great spot for bird watching.

Want to see even more waterfront by bike? Pedal north along Illinois Street to connect to the majestic Bay Trail. You can ride that great greenway (or is it a blue way?) all the way to Fisherman’s Wharf and take in incredible bay views the whole way.

For more information about the new bike lanes in the city, go to www.sfbike.org/link.
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