SF Bicycle Coalition Statement on Street Safety

In light of the March 29th crash at Market and Castro streets, the San Francisco Bicycle Coalition would like to issue the following statements on street safety:

On behalf of the San Francisco Bicycle Coalition, we are deeply saddened by the news of Mr. Hui’s death. Our hearts go out to his loved ones.

“This tragic incident is an urgent reminder to all of us – whether we ride a bicycle or drive a car – that we must be careful on our roads,” says Leah Shahum, Executive Director of the 12,000-member San Francisco Bicycle Coalition. “We call on all road users to be respectful of pedestrians and watch out for their safety at all times.”

While we recognize that this case is still under investigation, we are deeply troubled by the just-released online account of the incident.

“As advocates working for safer streets, we condemn reckless behavior – whether on a bicycle or in a car,” says Shahum. “Those who put others in danger should be held accountable for their actions.”

While pedestrian fatalities caused by bicycle crashes are rare, the San Francisco Bicycle Coalition reminds the growing number of people riding bicycles in San Francisco that we must follow the rules of the road.

The San Francisco Bicycle Coalition continues to work toward a culture of greater respect on our streets by actively encouraging safe behavior by all road users.

Tomorrow morning members of the SF Bicycle Coalition will be sharing the “Bicycle Rules of the Road” with thousands of people riding on the city’s busiest biking corridor — Market Street. As part of our ongoing Street-side Outreach program, our bicycle ambassadors regularly distribute safety information and educate people riding on the city’s most popular bike routes. We will reach tens of thousands of people this year with our “Bicycle Rules of the Road” Tip Sheet.

The San Francisco Bicycle Coalition also offers free street safety classes for all types of road users — from bicycle riders to Muni drivers to taxi drivers. In the past year alone, the SF Bicycle Coalition taught more than 600 adults through our in-class and on-road free bicycle safety courses held in neighborhoods throughout the city. Along with the growing number of people bicycling on the street – 71% increase in past five years – there has also been a significant increase in the number of people attending bicycle safety classes.

In our ongoing efforts to encourage respectful behavior on the streets, we are working with the San Francisco Police Department, the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency and pedestrian and senior groups to educate all San Francisco road users about the rules of the road, as well as focusing outreach and enforcement efforts on the most dangerous behaviors at the most dangerous locations.

To learn more about the rights and responsibilities for those biking, as well as information on upcoming, free Bike Safety Classes, see sfbike.org/safety.

To talk with members of the San Francisco Bicycle Coalition, join us tomorrow morning for street-side Outreach.

Friday, April 6, 2012

8:00 am-9:30 am

Corner of Market & Guerrero streets, southwest corner