From Townsend to the Embarcadero, City delays on critical bicycle and pedestrian safety projects have permitted an untenable status quo. Now, these delays have resulted in a fatality, and there are no more excuses.
Read our statement below regarding the passing of Kevin Manning, a pedicab operator who was hit by a driver on June 27 while biking on the Embarcadero. Then, join our campaign to hold the City accountable and demand the change we need to see.
SF Bicycle Coalition Calls for Urgent Action Following Fatality from Embarcadero Collision
Media Contact: Rachel Dearborn, SF Bicycle Coalition: 310.985.3038, racheldearborn@sfbike.org
July 10, 2018 — Today we mourn the loss of Kevin Manning, who passed away early this morning after being struck by a hit and run driver while operating his pedicab on the Embarcadero. The SFMTA and Port of San Francisco must act urgently in order to prevent further deaths of San Franciscans simply trying to earn a living, commute, and see their friends and family.
Kevin Manning was providing a ride to a family on June 27 when his pedicab was hit at the corner of Sansome and Embarcadero. The passengers of his pedicab and another, including two children, sustained non-life-threatening injuries. With our deepest sympathies, our hearts go out to Kevin’s family, friends and those that worked with him.
This crash and Kevin’s death were entirely preventable. We call upon our City leaders to make immediate hotspot improvements and commit to constructing the long-term vision for fully protected bike lanes along the Embarcadero by 2022.
Nearly the entire length of the Embarcadero is identified by the San Francisco Department of Public Health as a high-injury corridor; between 2006 and 2011, data shows that 84 people were injured on the Embarcadero while biking or walking, including two fatalities. We know that since 2011, there has been at least double the number of fatalities due to traffic crashes. The SFMTA and Port of San Francisco know this, yet they have been dragging their feet on making necessary improvements to make the Embarcadero safe. We have grieved too many times.
The SFMTA and the Port have recognized the need for change and have proposals to establish protected bike lanes and pedestrian safety improvements as part of the Embarcadero Enhancement Project. Yet it has been over four years since their planning began and there are still no designs to show for it. This death is a direct consequence of unnecessary delays and a lack of interagency cooperation.
The SF Bicycle Coalition calls on the SFMTA and Port of San Francisco to end the delays by implementing near-term hotspot improvements now and to approve, fund and construct fully protected bike lanes along the entire three-mile corridor of the Embarcadero within the next three years.
“These kinds of delay tactics from the SFMTA and Port of San Francisco are unacceptable and, frankly, threaten the lives of thousands who bike the Embarcadero every day,” said Brian Wiedenmeier, executive director of the San Francisco Bicycle Coalition. “The only answer to their irresponsibility is for the City to make immediate and urgent change.”
Everyone who bikes the Embarcadero deserves better. City leaders should take the steps necessary to prevent further loss of life on our streets.
Investigators are asking anyone with information regarding the hit-and-run driver who killed Kevin Manning to contact the SFPD 24 hour tip line at (415) 575-4444 or Text a Tip to TIP411 and begin the message with SFPD. This incident occurred at a busy time of day on a well-traveled thoroughfare. Investigators ask anyone who was in the area of The Embarcadero and Sansome Street on June 27, 2018 around 4:13 pm to check cell phones, dash-cams and surveillance systems for photos or video of the collision and/or the suspect vehicle.