sanfranciscobicyclec, 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.
Tagged as: Bike About Town, Events, Rec Rides
sanfranciscobicyclec, September 8th, 2011
Tour leader Greg Braswell talks to riders during last year's Sewer Ride. Some brick tunnels have been directing water beneath the city's streets since the 1880s. Photo by Miles Epstein.
By Celeste LeCompte
There are a lot of places to go for a weekend bike ride in and around San Francisco – stunning oceanside paths, family-filled Golden Gate Park, hilly city routes. But here’s one you might have missed: San Francisco’s combined sewer/storm-water system, one of the many recreational rides organized and led by volunteers and friends of the San Francisco Bicycle Coalition.
On Sept. 17, a group of local artists, sewer historians and organizations will lead attendees on a three-hour tour of the sewers in the Mission District. When I described this ride to some friends, I often was met with incredulous looks and questions like, “You’re going to ride your bike in the city’s poop tubes?” Read the rest of this entry »
Tagged as: Bike About Town, Events, Rec Rides
sanfranciscobicyclec, June 16th, 2011
By Greg Shaffer
A group of San Francisco Bicycle Coalition riders join the procession at the Gay Pride Parade. There are several ways for cyclists to celebrate with their favorite mode of transportation.
This is our Bike About Town column, which appeared in The Chronicle on June 16, 2011.
Next weekend marks the start of the 41st annual San Francisco Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender Pride Parade and Celebration, an annual festival that draws people from across the country and around the world to celebrate the community and make a public stand for LGBTQ civil rights.
With tens of thousands of people expected to pour into downtown San Francisco for the Pride Parade on June 26, biking might be the most efficient mode of transportation. In addition, there are a number of fun, bike-friendly events planned throughout the city. Read the rest of this entry »
Tagged as: Bike About Town, Events, Pride
San Francisco Bicycle Coalition, June 7th, 2011
The SF Bicycle Coalition is hard at work making it easier for everyone to bike across the City, and we invite you to a workshop to discuss options for 1.5 miles of separated bikeway on JFK Drive. Everyone from daily commuters, weekend riders, to families and visitors going to Park attractions want better biking on JFK Drive and we want you to participate in the discussion:
What: JFK Drive Separated Bikeway Community Workshop
When: Monday June 13, 6:30pm – 8:00pm
Where: County Fair Building, 1199 9th Avenue (At Lincoln Way)
Read the rest of this entry »
Tagged as: Events
sanfranciscobicyclec, June 2nd, 2011
By Michael Tanner
This is apart of our Bike About Town column, which appeared in The Chronicle on June 2, 2011.
Here in the land of the fog, summer isn’t necessarily beach season. But the salt-air definitely beckons in the land of the Barbary Coast, dock-squatting sea lions and the crab fleet, not to mention a portion of the 500-mile shoreline bike route known as the San Francisco Bay Trail. And your bike might be the best way to put the bay back in your Bay Area experience.
You can even see underneath, at one of the Bay Trail’s premier roadside attractions, the Aquarium of the Bay, on June 18 as it throws its first Bike to the Aquarium Day. The San Francisco Bicycle Coalition will provide free valet bike parking from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and pedaling patrons will receive half off admission. Aside from the usual chance to view a range of bay residents – from tiny anchovies to massive sevengill sharks – in their watery homes and witness lunch time for the bat rays, the event will feature a Bike Expo with raffles and demonstrations, as well as a showcase of electric bikes. Read the rest of this entry »
Tagged as: Bike About Town, Events
San Francisco Bicycle Coalition, March 18th, 2011
Grab your bike and come out and play with the San Francisco Bicycle Coalition and tens of thousands of people to kick off a fourth year of Sunday Streets, this Sunday, March 20 from 11am-4pm. Miles of the Embarcadero (from Fisherman’s Wharf to China Basin) will be transformed into open, recreational space. The SF Bicycle Coalition’s Freedom From Training Wheels instructors will be on hand near Pier 7 (Embarcadero near Broadway) to help kids get balancing and riding on two wheels. If you want to hop off your bike to rollerskate, have lunch or walk around, let our bike valets keep an eye on your bike near Fisherman’s Wharf at Pier 39.
The SF Bicycle Coalition is proud to be organizing volunteers for Sunday Streets! For each of the eight Sunday Streets events, the SF Bicycle Coalition is proud to partner with Livable City by recruiting and training more than two hundred volunteers. There are four ways you can help make Sunday Streets a success:
- Volunteer at Sunday Streets as an Intersection Monitor or an on-bike “Route Rabbit,” or enjoy the whole event and then help us break it all down at the end. Volunteers get a cool Sunday Streets t-shirt, lunch, invites to special parties, and the great feeling that you made Sunday Streets possible! Be part of the Sunday Streets volunteer team: sundaystreetssf.com/volunteer.
- Be a Sunday Streets Volunteer Program Intern, see sfbike.org/jobs for more info.
- Represent the SF Bicycle Coalition under our orange tent (if you’re outreach trained) and chat with Sunday Streets attendees about how our Connecting the City vision will make streets safer for the record numbers of people of all ages who are already bicycling, and want to bike more. Email tessa today to secure your outreach shift.
- Be a bike valet and help keep bikes safe and secure while people enjoy the open streets. Email LisaRuth to choose a valet shift.
You can learn more about the route at sundaystreetssf.com
Tagged as: Events
San Francisco Bicycle Coalition, March 17th, 2011
Join David Chiu, President of the S.F. Board of Supervisors, and Leah Shahum, Executive Director of the San Francisco Bicycle Coalition, as they share lessons from their recent trips to Amsterdam, a great city with an inspiring bicycling environment. San Francisco is another great city that loves bicycling. As record numbers of people are biking here, how can we learn from the Netherlands’ relatively recent successes to help us catch up with the widespread demand for improvements and connect our city through bikeways and safe streets that help more people of all ages to move around by bicycle? Find out more as these city leaders share their ideas on how we can make San Francisco an easier place to shop, live and play and meet the city’s goal of 20% of trips by bicycle by 2020.
5:30-7:30pm, Thursday, March 31, San Francisco Public Library, 100 Larkin Street (at Grove), Koret Auditorium (located on the Library’s lower level, enter 30 Grove Street and proceed downstairs) Complimentary valet bike parking on Grove Street
Co-sponsored by the SF Bicycle Coalition and the Consulate General of the Netherlands.
This is not a Library Sponsored program
Tagged as: Events
sanfranciscobicyclec, February 8th, 2011
The crowd enjoying some cheeky Love on Wheels Q+A. Photo by: Orange Photography
This Wednesday, Love will be in the air at the Love on Wheels dating game, where two-wheelin’ singles get the chance to ride tandem in time for Valentine’s day. Our modern take of the 70’s game show where contestants blindly quiz a panel of three and choose one for a date!
This annual SF Bicycle Coalition event brings together bike-loving people who are looking for love, or couples who want to cheer on their single friends. Come join us this Wed., Feb. 9 from 6-9pm at Public Works (161 Erie Street @ Mission. Shake your groove thing to live tunes, primp yourself and ham it up in the photo booth, and enter to win great raffle prizes. Regardless of where cupid aims his arrow, there is something for everyone at Love on Wheels! All the details can be found at sfbike.org/love.
The event is ages 21+. $5 for members, and $10 for non-members. Why not bring a friend or a date? Admission is FREE when you become a member at the door. All proceeds from the event support the Bicycle Coalition’s work to make San Francisco a safer and easier city to bike in.
Click here to see more photos from last year’s event, courtesy of Orange Photography.
Tagged as: Events, Love on Wheels
sanfranciscobicyclec, January 26th, 2011
A lucky winner at last year's Love on Wheels party. Photo: Orange Photography.
They say money can’t buy love, but it sure can improve your ride! On February 9, show your support for the SF Bicycle Coalition and lovers everywhere by coming to Love on Wheels our dating game for people who love biking. Watch the show as a series of contestants each quiz a panel of three people on what makes them a bike babe and then pedal off with one on a date!
All proceeds from this annual event support the work that is making San Francisco a safer, easier and more fun place to ride a bike.
Love on Wheels will be held Wednesday, February 9 from 6-9pm at a new venue, Public Works (161 Erie St. at Mission St.). This event is a great way to meet other bike-loving people, get your groove on with live DJs, look your best in our photo booth and even have the chance to make your own bike goodies at the craft table!
Event is ages 21+. Admission is $5 for members, $10 for non-members. Bring a friend, and they’ll get in free when they become a member at the door! Check out all the details at sfbike.org/love, and photos from the 2010 Love on Wheels from Orange Photography.
RSVP for the event on Facebook.
Tagged as: Events, Love on Wheels
