Wedding on Wheels: Katie and Scott’s SF Nuptials

Posted on by Giselle Diaz

Photo by Emily Gutman/Emily Takes Photos

They bonded over a shared love for biking and the city of San Francisco. This summer, they made those two passions the highlight of their beautiful get-away wedding in the city. And we just happened to roll by when they were unlocking their bikes on the big day outside of City Hall.

“A bicycle is really the perfect way to see and enjoy San Francisco,”  the couple commented. “It allows you to control the pace of your journey and absorb little details that you might otherwise overlook.” We couldn’t agree more.

Congratulations, Katie and Scott, from all of us the SF Bicycle Coalition!

SF Bicycle Coalition: Where are you from, and what brought you to San Francisco’s City Hall to be married?

Katie & Scott: We currently live in Gainesville, Florida. We both grew up in Florida, but at opposite ends of the state in Lake City (Katie) and Plantation (Scott). When we decided to get married, we knew we wanted it to be a low key but memorable day just for the two us and it seemed like a City Hall wedding was the way to go.

In 2013, like so many people before us, we visited San Francisco together and left our hearts there. We loved the architecture, the parks and natural beauty, the weather, the food, the museums, and most of all we loved riding our bikes in the city and surrounding areas. We were familiar with San Francisco’s beautiful and historic City Hall from our prior trip, and it seemed like the perfect place for us to elope.

We should also add that the weather in San Francisco is far more conducive to riding a bike to your wedding than it is in Florida. Had we ridden our bikes the four short miles from our home to the courthouse in Gainesville this time of year, we would have wedding photos of an uncomfortable couple in their very sweaty formal finery.

Your wedding pictures look amazing! What inspired you to bike to your wedding day?

Bicycles and cycling are some of the things that originally brought us together. We enjoy cycling in many different aspects of our lives, whether for transportation around town, riding our local mountain bike trails, completing a century ride together or just getting outside to enjoy the day. Every time we get on our bikes together, it brings a smile to our faces. We wanted that happiness we feel when riding to be a part of our wedding day. It just seemed natural that we would ride together on that most special of days.

What was it like biking through the streets of San Francisco dressed for a wedding? Did anyone take notice of you? 

It was even more fun than we had imagined! We were staying in the Marina District and decided to take a longer (flatter) route from there to City Hall. The route took us through some of the more heavily traveled areas of the City including Fort Mason, the Embarcadero, and Market Street. We were surprised by the number of people that noticed us and voiced their congratulations or well wishes on our ride to City Hall. We were trying to keep count of all of them for a while, but eventually lost track due to the sheer number of positive reactions. Several people even asked to take our picture, including a very nice representative from the San Francisco Bicycle Coalition who noticed us and stopped to chat while we were unlocking our bicycles in front of City Hall following our wedding ceremony.

We had rented bicycles from Mission Bicycle Company to ride on our wedding day. (We built Katie’s single speed that she rides in Gainesville around one of their frames following our last trip to San Francisco.) After leaving City Hall, we rode to their shop to return the bikes and received a very warm welcome, impromptu photo shoot and tour of their facilities. They were thrilled that we had ridden their bikes to get married. We followed that up with celebratory tacos and margaritas in the Mission District (and two rounds of free shooters, compliments of friendly locals), after which we decided to Uber back to the apartment in Marina. As soon as the driver picked us up he asked, “Where are the bikes?” because he had seen us riding in the City earlier that day.

All of this really added to the day and made the experience even more memorable, fun, and festive than we had anticipated.

Was it difficult to ride in your wedding attire?

Surprisingly, it was relatively easy to ride in our wedding attire, though we would be misrepresenting things if we didn’t state that we each took a brief “test ride” in our respective garments back home to make sure everything would work. We also did some pre-planning on how to get Katie’s heels and bouquet, our paperwork and the bike locks to City Hall with us. This involved a handlebar bag, some Velcro and quite a bit of gaffers tape. The only mild difficulties of the day were Scott having a couple of moments where his dress shoes slipped on the pedals and Katie having to be mindful of the back hem of her dress not getting caught on the saddle when transitioning from standing to sitting.

Did you bike to your wedding as a special occasion, or is biking a daily habit for the two of you?

As we mentioned earlier, biking is a big part of our life. Since we both work from home, we don’t get to ride every day, but getting on our bikes helps make any day better. We regularly enjoy riding downtown to get dinner or drinks with friends, riding to the gym or to yoga class, or just getting out and enjoying our city and the surrounding areas.

Any cycling related events planned for your honeymoon?

Our trip to San Francisco was a combined vacation, wedding and honeymoon. We were in the city for a total of two weeks, all the while using bikes as our primary mode of exploration and transportation. Some highlights were: exploring Golden Gate Park on Sunday (when the roads are car-free); riding across the Golden Gate Bridge, through Sausalito, and over to and around Tiburon and back; riding to and exploring the Lands End area; and riding to Baker Beach and back (which was beautiful and rewarding, if a bit labored at moments).

A bicycle is really the perfect way to see and enjoy San Francisco. It’s such an efficient way to get around the City, but also allows you to control the pace of your journey and absorb little details that you might otherwise overlook.

Do you have friends who love San Francisco and love biking? Support advocacy for people who bike our gorgeous city and give the gift of an SF Bicycle Coalition membership today.

Today Is the One-Month Anniversary of June 22

Posted on by Brian Wiedenmeier
Photo by member Matt Laroche.

We have spent the last month working hard to see City leaders honor your calls for the prompt delivery of safe streets, which cannot come fast enough.

One Month Since Jun 22, 2016

Click to zoom.

Over the last month, the Mayor’s office has reached out to us, along with several City agencies, to meet regularly and develop a plan of action in light of the tragic fatalities on June 22. Informed by what we are hearing from our members through the 1,500 emails directed to the Mayor, we are approaching those meetings with the goal of seeing prompt, specific safety improvements delivered not just to the sites of two fatal collisions, but to streets across San Francisco.

We are urging the Mayor to demonstrate his commitment to Vision Zero by ensuring city departments take immediate actions to implement protected bike lanes, deliver significant safety improvements to the streets that saw the tragic fatalities of the past month, ensure SFPD focuses enforcement on the most dangerous traffic violations and speed the delivery of Vision Zero projects.

While we are making progress, a month has passed without City leaders committing to concrete safety improvements for all who uses San Francisco’s streets. Everyone who has written Mayor Lee is making a difference, however. And now he needs to know that you remain as committed to safe streets as ever.

Please sign our petition today: Make your voice heard for immediate action from City leaders towards the delivery of safe streets.

Views of Twin Peaks Promenade

Posted on by Julia Raskin

The Twin Peaks Promenade is in the ground, commencing San Francisco’s newest car-free street with gorgeous views overlooking the city and ocean.

On Tuesday, your San Francisco Bicycle Coalition celebrated the new open space with our partners at Walk San Francisco and the Bay Area Ridge Trail, along with many of our dedicated members who have been excited to see this project become a reality. After climbing the two peaks, we walked the length of the new promenade and marveled at the view. Participants were in awe of how free they felt to walk around this previously precarious boulevard with blind turns and fast paced traffic. A big thank you to SF Municipal Transportation Agency planners Cameron Beck and Miriam Sorell for joining us and answering questions.

As a two-year pilot, the SF Recreation and Parks Department wants to hear about your experience of Twin Peaks and the features that you want in the new promenade. If you want to see the the pilot project become a permanent San Francisco treasure, click here to fill out this survey and let the city know.

Graphic Designer Julia Schaber: “I’ve Always Loved to Create”

Posted on by Giselle Diaz

We are so excited to have such a creative mind joining the team as Graphic Designer in Julia Schaber. Julia became involved with the SF Bicycle Coalition as an intern, and we liked her so much we made her a permanent fixture on our team.

How long have you been a regular bike rider? 

I started riding regularly at the age of 12 as a means of commuting around my hometown of Sacramento with a group of friends who lived in my neighborhood. I lived close to school, and within the relatively flat bounds of anywhere else I needed to go, so the only real challenge to face was the intense, dry summer heat.

Tell us a little about what you do at the San Francisco Bicycle Coalition.

I oversee all things design-related for both web and print in support of our members, campaigns and brand. I provide direct support to our Communications Director and collaborate with colleagues across the organization’s staff to grow and maintain a strong and positive visual presence both online and with our printed media in order to further our mission of promoting the bicycle for everyday transportation.

What led you to pursue a career in graphic design?

Since I was old enough to hold a pencil I’ve always loved to create, draw and write. There are a few artists in my family, one of whom found a strong niche in the design field. So when I learned Visual Communication Design was a degree worth obtaining, I had found an outlet to use art as a valuable way for me to contribute good things to the world.

What inspired your interest in biking and working in advocacy for bicycle riders? 

Initially, I started biking as a means of transportation aside from walking or asking my parents for rides, and it brought me to a small community of like-minded people in my neighborhood who did the same. Now I find myself re-connecting to my inner-child every time I ride, which is something I feel everyone deserves to have. I’m so grateful to be empowered to work in advocacy for bicycle riders because a lot of people I care very deeply about ride regularly in the city. I feel that each and every person who rides in SF deserves the joy, safety and freedom when riding that I desire for those closest to me.

Where are your favorite places to bike around the city?

I like to ride recreationally in quieter avenues and areas within nature. I’m close to Lake Merced and Golden Gate Park. I’ve yet to venture across the bridge or tunnel, but have heard great things about biking in Marin and Oakland. Those are next on my Bay Area bicycle bucket list.

Anything else you’d like our members to know?

When I first moved to SF for school, I felt like a small fish in an overwhelmingly large pond. After being introduced to such a tight-knit, welcoming and supportive community through the SF Bicycle Coalition, I feel more connected to the city and the people who make this such a great place to live and bike. I’m excited and honored to be working with such an incredible group of people and looking forward to meeting everyone who supports the great work we do!

Started From Zero. Now He’s 💯🔥🔥🔥

Posted on by Chris Cassidy

Editors: This story was originally published in Issue 156 of our quarterly Tube Times magazine, one of many perks of membership in the San Francisco Bicycle Coalition.

“I learned to ride out of necessity,” SF Bicycle Coalition member Wei-min Wang said. “I had signed my six-year-old up for bike camp in the summer, and I figured I would be no match for him if I had to chase him around on foot.”

Before 2015, Wei-min’s only experience biking was as a child, riding around his basement on a bike with training wheels that he never removed.

“Honestly, it felt like quite an accomplishment and long overdue,” Wei-min told your SF Bicycle Coalition staff. “It seems like everyone knows how to ride a bike, but it took me more than 40 years to get around to it. I grew up in San Francisco, and neither of my parents knew how to ride, so I didn’t have any teachers.”

Until last year, that is, when Wei-min took learning to bike into his own hands.

“I searched online for a class and was pleased to learn about the SF Bicycle Coalition’s free Adult Learn to Ride classes,” Wei-min said. “Then, in addition to the Learn to Ride class, I also took the Intro to Urban Bicycling workshop.”

Now, Wei-min is more than just someone who knows how to bike. He supports our advocacy and education efforts as a member and bikes regularly. Wei-min told us that he logged over 2,000 miles in the saddle in the past year.

“I ride three-to-four times a week on average. It’s mostly for fitness and mental health, but I’ve biked to work a few times, used my bike to run errands and even taken my four-year-old to school once by bike,” Wei-min said. “She’s been bugging me to do that again.”

Embracing biking has changed how Wei-min thinks about navigating his hometown.

“I’d say the best parts are the freedom of movement and the fresh air,” Wei-min said. “You can get places fast, but you can also take your time and enjoy how beautiful the city is without the stress of traffic jams or being cooped up behind the wheel.”

Thinking back on his experience in the Adult Learn to Ride Class, Wei-min recalls how his instructors quickly put the class at ease.

“I was pleasantly surprised by the wide age range of the students and felt right at home,” Wei-min said. “The instructors knew their stuff and made it easy to learn. They were confident that we’d all be riding within two-to-three hours and they were right.”

Now Wei-min is an evangelist for biking, encouraging others who – like him – never learned to ride in childhood:

“Go for it. It’s fun, it’s good for your health and great for the environment. The network of bike routes around town is extensive and getting better each year. So getting around is easy.

“Yes, there are hills,” Wei-min acknowledged, “but those, too, get easier with practice.”

Wei-min is an inspiring example of how it’s never too late to learn to bike. If there’s someone in your life who could use a little support and encouragement to get rolling, please let them know that we are here to help. Details about our free bicycle education classes are available at sfbike.org/edu.

The Tube Times is published quarterly as one of the many benefits to members of the SF Bicycle Coalition. For a complete list of membership benefits, or to join/renew today, click here.

3 Ways You Can Help Stop Double Parking in the Bike Lanes

Posted on by San Francisco Bicycle Coalition

Editors: This story was originally published in Issue 156 of our quarterly Tube Times magazine,one of many perks of membership in the San Francisco Bicycle Coalition. 

Valencia. Folsom. Market. We see people stopping their cars in the bike lanes all across San Francisco, requiring people biking to swerve in and out of faster-moving traffic.

It does not have to be this way. Join us in taking these three steps to fight the flood of people illegally stopping in bike lanes.

1.Request Enforcement 

Call 311 or tweet a picture @SF311 to officially request enforcement of laws forbidding people from parking in bike lanes.

Update – July 19, 2016: Members Adam Long and Dorie Apollonio indicate that the better number to call is 415-553-1200, press 1, press 6 for reporting people parked in the bike lane.

2. Voice Concerns with SFPD and Supervisors 

Emailing concerns to the nearest SFPD station (and copying the Supervisor representing that area) ensures a record of the problem so the police are aware of this issue. You can also tweet photos at SFPD station Twitter accounts, or voice your concern in-person at monthly meetings held by each station. Find an SFPD station map and meeting schedules at sfbike.org/sfpdstations.

3. Contact the company responsible 

We offer professional driver training, but not every company has taken advantage of the opportunity. If you see a professional driver parking in bike lanes, we do not encourage confronting the driver directly.

Instead, contact the company with pictures and vehicle ID information, if possible. Ask company representatives to direct drivers not to illegally and dangerously park in bike lanes, and let them know that they can contact the SF Bicycle Coalition for resources. sfbike.org/driver

The Tube Times is published quarterly as one of the many benefits to members of the SF Bicycle Coalition. For a complete list of membership benefits, or to join/renew today, click here.

No Stopping Her (and her Kids!) Now: Nori Tong

Posted on by San Francisco Bicycle Coalition

Editors: This story was originally published in Issue 156 of our quarterly Tube Times magazine,one of many perks of membership in the San Francisco Bicycle Coalition. This story was written by Mara Mabugat. 

Some people might consider hauling two kids from the Castro to schools in the Haight and Outer Sunset daily a chore. Not so for Nori Yatsunami Tong.

“I feel less stressed — no finding parking. There’s freedom of movement. You’re not restricted,” Nori said. “There is more meeting other people.”

Nori Yatsunami Tong moved to San Francisco back in 2008 and has been riding a bike here since 2010. Born and raised in Tokyo, she brings that perspective to biking around SF.

“Biking is the norm there,” Nori said. “It’s how people get around. It’s what moms do.”

When Nori first started biking her children to school, however, there was a bit of an adjustment period.

“Before, I had one child in a seat on the bike, but I could only ride with one child at a time. It was even getting harder with one kid,” Nori said of her experience biking with growing children with her old family biking gear.

“It all changed when I got a longtail family bike last year when my son was in kindergarten. I saw others at the school with the longtail bike with electric pedal-assist,” Nori said. “It’s a game changer.”

Now Nori’s family gets to experience the joys of biking in the city together.

“We often overtake neighbors and friends driving to school and wave at them,” Nori said. “It’s a game for us. They may catch up, then we get ahead again, then they pass.”

Especially as a parent, Nori understands the importance of having safer, stronger biking infrastructure. Well-versed in the City’s bike routes, Nori only rides with her family in the bike lanes and is hopeful about a future SF where bike lanes criss-cross the entire city.

“I see them improving every year,” said Nori.

Positive that others will enjoy it as much as she does, Nori encourages other families to try riding together.

“Try it and you’ll like it!,” she assured.

Nori and her family are a brilliant example that biking to school can be convenient and fun, and the bike lanes are a welcoming place for all ages and backgrounds. Want to get your family rolling? Check out sfbike.org/family for family biking workshops, guides and more.

The Tube Times is published quarterly as one of the many benefits to members of the SF Bicycle Coalition. For a complete list of membership benefits, or to join/renew today, click here.

Sup. Wiener Calls for July 18 Hearing on Bike Theft

Posted on by Janice Li

We hear from our members loud and clear: Let’s put an end to bike theft.

Whether it’s a Twitter post directed to @sfbike or our latest member survey, we want to be able to bike around without the fear of our precious bicycles being stolen. And if that unfortunate incident occurs, we want to know that the SF Police Department (SFPD) will respond and take bike theft seriously.

Bike Theft Hearing
Board of Supervisors, Land Use and Transportation Committee
Monday, July 18 at 1:30 pm
City Hall, Room 250

If you want to share your experiences and thoughts about how the City can better respond to bike theft, here’s your chance. Supervisor Scott Wiener has called for a hearing next Monday, July 18 at the Board of Supervisors to shine light on this issue.

“We can build all the bike lanes in the world, but if people can’t run errands and visit friends without fearing that their bikes will be stolen, we will struggle in creating the most robust cycling community possible,” Supervisor Wiener said in announcing the hearing. “Having your bike stolen creates significant financial and other problems for people, especially for people who rely on their bikes as their primary mode of transportation.”

We agree. Whether it’s bringing more funding to SAFE Bikes to promote the voluntary registry program that’s helped restore dozens of stolen bikes to their owners or bringing more SFPD resources to their anti-bike theft unit, there is more that the City can do to help keep bikes in the hands of their owners.

Can’t make it? Share your thoughts with Supervisor Wiener and his legislative staff here or catch the hearing live on SFGovTV.

Making SF More Bikeable, One Event at a Time

Posted on by Libby Nachman

You may have seen her smiling face at Sunday Streets, on-street service stations or at community health fairs. Since summer’s started, Natasha has been the face of the SF Bicycle Coalition as our Membership Outreach Intern at events across the city. We caught up with her to find out why she got involved, and just what she’s learned after talking to hundreds of San Franciscans about biking.

SF Bicycle Coalition: You’ve been interning with the San Francisco Bicycle Coalition for the past month. What motivated you to apply for an internship?

Natasha: I have been biking all over San Francisco for the past eight years and have seen the SF Bicycle Coalition’s efforts to make San Francisco a safer place to bike through outreach and public policy initiatives. I am an Urban Studies and Planning student at San Francisco State University, so when it came time to apply for internships, the SF Bicycle Coalition was an obvious choice. Their relentless efforts have made San Francisco a safer and more enjoyable place to ride.

What has been your favorite internship moment so far?

I love being able to see the inner workings of such an amazing organization. It is so interesting to see such a small and directed team move mountains as far as bike awareness goes. I also have so much respect now for the number of people that take time out of their busy schedules to volunteer at events all over the city. It is so impressive how many people from our community come out to help.

You’re volunteering as a Bicycle Ambassador at outreach events all over town. What’s the best part about volunteering as a Bicycle Ambassador?

As the Membership Intern, I get to partake in many outreach activities throughout the city and meet all sorts of people. I love when people come up to our table and tell me stories of their experiences biking in San Francisco. Most of the stories are positive, but even the negative ones allow me to engage with people on a common topic. It’s amazing, and helps me gain a better perspective on the state of biking in San Francisco and just how many different people from different ages and backgrounds are in this city.

What do you do when you’re not donating your time to the SF Bicycle Coalition?

I have many different part-time jobs that take me all over the city. I love getting to know various neighborhoods in a more intimate way, so I have an excuse to eat and drink at all the various watering holes those neighborhoods have to offer. When I’m not working, I can be found on my deck or in a park trying to get better at crosswords (my current goal is to be able to complete a Thursday crossword), eating tacos, or playing bingo.

What advice would you give to someone thinking about becoming a Bicycle Ambassador?

Just do it! It is awesome to be a part of an organization that helps so many people. This answer may be cheesy, but the network of people in the SF Bicycle Coalition make each event an amazing place to connect with other San Franciscans who bike. It’s a great way to meet people and achieve our goals for making SF more bikeable.

Want to become a Bicycle Ambassador like Natasha and help us do outreach about our great campaigns? Join us July 21 for our summer Bicycle Ambassador training to get started, or visit sfbike.org/volunteer to see all our great upcoming opportunities.

Technology Coordinator Kevin Diep: From L.A. to the Bay

Posted on by Giselle Diaz

Most of us need someone to help us keep our tech gears running now and again. Here at the SF Bicycle Coalition, that someone is Kevin Diep, who recently moved up from Los Angeles and joined our team as Technology Coordinator.

It’s been terrific welcoming Kevin and getting to know him. We recently sat down with Kevin to learn more about what brings him to the SF Bicycle Coalition, and the path he’s taken to promoting the bicycle for everyday transportation.

SF Bicycle Coalition: Where are you from, and what brought you to San Francisco?
Kevin: I was born and raised in Los Angeles, and moved here to help advance the mission of the San Francisco Bicycle Coalition and be with my partner. (Hi, Camille!)

What have you found to be the best part of living in San Francisco?

The best part about living in San Francisco is being able to easily and quickly get where I need to go by bike, foot and public transit.

Tell us a little about what you do as Technology Coordinator for the San Francisco Bicycle Coalition.

I manage the organization’s database, web applications and technology operations, and provide technology training and support to our staff, interns and volunteers.

What inspired you to work with Bicycle Advocacy?

I am passionate about social justice and strongly believe that our work at SF Bicycle Coalition plays a central role in making the city a more equitable place for all.

Describe your ideal day off.

I’m new to San Francisco so my ideal day off would be spent exploring all that the city has to offer. As an avid climber, I also can’t wait to spend time at some of the crags in the Bay Area.

Anything else you’d like our members to know?

I can’t wait to ride with y’all!