With gorgeous weather, San Francisco is filled with the spirit of biking today to celebrate our biggest event of the year: Bike to Work Day. Thank you to all of our members powering our organization and our 300-plus volunteers making today possible.
Twelve bike rides departing from all over the city, from deep in the Outer Sunset with Supervisor Katy Tang to Mendell Plaza in the Bayview with Supervisor Malia Cohen, arrived at City Hall where we were joined by a large crowd of people excited to come together and kick Bike to Work Day off at our rally. Many of our rides featured Ford GoBike and Jump bikes as bike share and electric-assist bikes have opened up access and encouraged thousands of new people to try biking.
The bike rides prominently featured our city’s newest protected bike lanes. Mayor Mark Farrell was joined by several City agency leaders on a ride down Market Street before turning onto Turk Street, where the Tenderloin’s first protected bike lane was just installed. This project was successful thanks to collaboration between City agencies and strong support from Supervisor Jane Kim, who had the shortest ride to work but rode with one of the largest contingents starting in SoMa.
From the west, President of the Board of Supervisors London Breed rode in from Buchanan Mall in the Western Addition and toured Upper Market Street, where beautiful, new curb-protected bike lanes recently wrapped up construction.
One of the morning’s longest rides was led by Supervisor Ahsha Safaí, who pedaled off from Persia Triangle in the Excelsior and shared with rally attendees that today was his first time ever biking to work! We were also thrilled to welcome Supervisor Catherine Stefani, who joined in her first Bike to Work Day as supervisor and rode in from the Marina.
A two-person tandem bicycle was featured on our bike ride from the Castro, with Rafael Mandelman steering the way for Mark Leno.
At City Hall, the excitement was palpable as our elected officials gathered to celebrate the ever-growing bike movement in San Francisco. Mayor Farrell remarked upon the need for more protected bike lanes and said, “Every day can be just like today in San Francisco.” We’re with you, Mister Mayor!
We are also proud to award the Presidio Trust, California Pacific Medical Center and Patreon with this year’s Bicycle-Friendly Business awards. Our 2018 Bike Commuter of the Year is Maggie Chestney was recognized for her inspiring story, reminding us of the fun and freedom that biking brings.
As always, Bike to Work Day would not be possible without our generous sponsors.
The day’s not over just yet, so make sure to pedal by one of our evening Energizer Stations. As our Executive Director Brian Wiedenmeier said at our rally this morning, “It’s a beautiful day to bike in San Francisco!”