We love our volunteers

Posted on by Chris Bannister

Last Thursday, the San Francisco Bicycle Coalition hosted our biannual Volunteer Appreciation Party in celebration of those who have volunteered with us in the past six months. The event, graciously hosted by Sports Basement, was a beach-themed evening filled with food, drinks, music, fedoras, inflatable palm trees and, of course, our ever-popular bike-themed trivia! To top it off, we raffled off some great prizes and got to thank the over 500 volunteers who have helped our organization thrive during the first half of 2019.

If you missed the party, no worries! We host volunteer appreciation parties twice a year and would love to invite you to the next one. In order to secure your invite, make sure to sign up for one of our upcoming volunteer opportunities. Here’s just a sample of how you can join in: 

Bicycle Ambassador Training*: SF Bicycle Coalition members, come to our upcoming Bicycle Ambassador training to get up to date on what’s going on with the SF Bicycle Coalition and learn how to sign up new members. This training will also prepare you to volunteer at races, festivals, service stations, Sunday Streets and other events. Our next training will be held on Thursday, July 11 at the San Francisco Bicycle Coalition office. Sign up for a training today!

Valet Bike Parking: Summer and fall are our busiest seasons for Valet Bike Parking. We’ll be parking bikes at music festivals, baseball games, street fairs and more. Come help us keep bikes safe!

Community Repair Night: Want to donate your mechanic skills to help make sure all San Franciscans have affordable transportation? Look no further. We’re looking for mechanics of all levels to come on out and get greasy at our Community Repair Night. This event, held every Wednesday of the month, offers folks the opportunity to fix up bikes that are then given away at our Bike it Forward events. Get into it! 

Freedom from Training Wheels: Teach the next generation the joys of biking at one of our Freedom from Training Wheels workshops! Our experienced staff will give you the skills you need to help kids scoot, balance and glide on their bikes. Join us.

Light up the Night*: Our annual bike light distribution campaign kicks off after daylight saving time ends. We install 1,000 bike lights every year for people who need them. Sign-ups will open in October.

Winterfest*: The SF Bicycle Coalition’s annual member party, art auction and fundraiser is not to be missed! Member-volunteers support all aspects of this event — helping set up stations, run fun games, pour libations and more. Winterfest volunteers will receive free event admission and a drink token (plus infinite warm fuzzies). Sign-ups will open in September.

And that’s just a preview! To make sure you’re the first to hear about these great upcoming projects, sign up today to receive our twice-monthly volunteer newsletter.

*Please note: you must be a member to volunteer with any of the opportunities with an *. Membership starts at just $35 per year, or you can earn a free barter membership by volunteering 10 hours in a three-month period!

Last Survey for Better Market Street

Posted on by Charles Deffarges

At two city-run, public open houses for the Better Market Street project this month, a fully protected vision for a transformed Market Street was front and center. With our push for approvals this year, a safe Market Street for all is closer than ever to reality. Take the City’s survey for your last chance to weigh in on this visionary project.

Take the Survey

Over two days in early June, hundreds of people gathered at open houses to weigh in on the designs for Market Street’s transformation. Much of the presented material was familiar to our members, who made up a large portion of the crowd. Sidewalk-level protected bike lanes and getting cars off of Market — things we’ve been asking for for decades — remain central parts of the project.

Beyond the sweeping bicycle safety improvements, a couple of new changes and opportunities stood out to members in the room:

  1. Better protected bike lanes from 9th to Franklin: In previous designs, the intersection of Market and Van Ness was a mess. This new design for the western portion of Market features better protected bike lanes that will keep them car-free with additional vehicle restrictions.
  2. Near term car-free Market: Building the full Better Market Street project will take years, but a car-free Market could come much sooner. We’re pushing to see car restrictions implemented later this year, shortly after approvals.

We’ve told the City that these two improvements are necessary to truly make this project visionary. Still, to make these designs a reality, they need to hear from you. Take the City’s survey to let them know that you want the best possible Market Street.

Take the Survey

A Win for the Outer Sunset

Posted on by Kristen Leckie

Earlier this month, we won approvals for the 20th Avenue Neighborway Project at the SF Municipal Transportation Agency’s (SFMTA) Board meeting. Our members’ support made this win possible and brought us one step closer to true park connectivity in the Outer Sunset.

This popular north-south route connecting Golden Gate Park to Stern Grove is being redesigned to prioritize those walking and biking, with the addition of bike lanes, traffic circles and daylighting (the removal of obstructions to make crosswalks more visible to people driving).

This traffic calming project has frustratingly taken years to get to this point but our members have been there every step of the way, showing up at open houses, writing emails of support, and turning out to speak at City Hall. Soon, 20th Avenue will be the first north-south street in the Outer Sunset with a bike lane. We will continue this momentum forward, pushing for better bike infrastructure in our westside neighborhoods.

As we advocate for calmer streets and better park connections, we’ll need your help. Join or renew today to help support our efforts in the Sunset and beyond.

We’re Hiring: Outreach Coordinators

Posted on by Janice Li

The San Francisco Bicycle Coalition is transforming our streets and neighborhoods into safe, just, and livable places by promoting the bicycle for everyday transportation. We are looking for a committed and motivated Outreach Coordinator to represent our organization at important community meetings throughout the city. You will support our organization’s advocacy work in concert with our 2018-2022 Strategic Plan and our core values of Transportation Justice, Sustainability, People Power and Joy.

The Outreach Coordinator will support our Advocacy Team by attending community meetings and representing the SF Bicycle Coalition at community events, with a particular focus in the southeast neighborhoods in San Francisco (Bayview, Excelsior, etc.).

Applications will be reviewed starting on June 24, 2019 and considered on a rolling basis until the position is filled. The ideal candidate would start in early July 2019.

APPLY HERE

Primary areas of responsibility:

  • Attending community meetings and events (includes events on weeknights and weekends)
  • Taking notes and reporting back to Advocacy Team staff
  • Making public comment at City Hall meetings
  • Supporting Program Team, such as attending Bike it Forward events, collaborating with Youth and Family Biking or promoting bike education classes
  • Meeting 1-on-1 with members and community stakeholders to build relationships within the neighborhood

Strong candidates will possess as many of the following qualifications as possible:

  • Prior experience with community-based outreach and engagement
  • Ability to get around the city to attend meetings and/or perform outreach
  • Comfort riding a bike in an urban environment
  • Passion for making San Francisco a better city for living and biking
  • Experience in public and professional settings
  • Fluency in Spanish and/or Chinese (Cantonese or Mandarin)

Report To: Advocacy Director.

Salary and Benefits: The hourly rate is $18/hour.

Hours: Part-time. Hours may vary but are expected to be 5-10 hours per week. Position will entail some work on weeknights and/or weekends in order to attend community meetings and events. This contract position is expected to last until September 30, 2019 with the possibility of an extension.

The San Francisco Bicycle Coalition is an equal opportunity employer.

Unprecedented Win for Folsom and Howard

Posted on by Charles Deffarges

Yesterday, after hours of public testimony, the SF Municipal Transportation (SFMTA) Board of Directors approved monumental changes to Folsom and Howard, two of our busiest, most dangerous bicycle corridors.

The SFMTA has been working on the Folsom and Howard Streetscape project for several years, gathering community feedback and implementing near-term improvements to inform the best possible long-term design. The years of deep engagement with SF Bicycle Coalition members as well as residents, community leaders and business owners in SoMa were evident in the outpouring of support at the approval hearing.

Lian Ladia, community engagement organizer with the SoMa Community Action Network (SOMCAN), drew attention to the pedestrian safety elements of the project, including increased pedestrian lighting, sidewalk bulb-outs and midblock crossings. “This is so important based on the continued research and actions of SOMCAN’s youth program in pedestrian and night safety,” she said.

Corner captains from SoMa Safe Passage who help neighborhood children get to school safely at Bessie Carmichael Elementary School said the project would provide much needed relief from current dangerous conditions. “Every day, kids walk alone to school. It’s very sad to see aggressive drivers so near an elementary school,” said Tatiana Alabsi.

Several SF Bicycle Coalition members spoke at the SFMTA Board meeting, sharing their excitement at the prospect of bike safety improvements, including two-way protected bike lanes and dedicated bike signals. Many of them, including Hannah Yendler, spoke to dangerous experiences they’ve had on the two corridors. “My first thought when I got hit by a truck was: ‘Well, this was going to happen.’ This shouldn’t be the case… The two-way protected bike lanes and protected intersections in this project will make these streets safer for people like me.”

As we move towards breaking ground on this project, continued pressure will be key to sticking to the current timeline. Help us bring the change we need and join the SF Bicycle Coalition today.

We’re Hiring: Bicycle Valet Program Coordinator

Posted on by San Francisco Bicycle Coalition

The San Francisco Bicycle Coalition is transforming our streets and neighborhoods into safe, just, and livable places by promoting the bicycle for everyday transportation. We are looking for a committed and motivated Program Coordinator to lead and innovate our new expanded Valet Bicycle Parking program, including our work to operate bicycle valet parking at the Chase Center, new home of the Golden State Warriors. You will support our organization’s programmatic work in concert with our 2018-2022 Strategic Plan and our core values of Transportation Justice, Sustainability, People Power and Joy.

The Program Coordinator will manage our famous Valet Bicycle Parking Program, where we offer free, friendly, and convenient bike parking at public and private events. We host Valet Bicycle Parking at hundreds of events every year, including all San Francisco Giants home games. Beginning in late August, we will be providing valet bicycle parking at all events at the Chase Center, new home of the Golden State Warriors. This position reports to the Program Director and works collaboratively on a team of five to bring high-quality, culturally competent programming to SF that aims to dismantle barriers to biking for everyone sharing our streets.

APPLY HERE

Primary responsibilities may include, but will not be limited to:

Valet Bicycle Parking

  • Managing the Valet Bicycle Parking schedule, including scheduling Valet Bicycle Parking Attendants and volunteers;
  • Recruiting, training, and supervising a staff of Valet Bicycle Parking Attendants;
  • Managing a team of volunteers at Valet Bicycle Parking Events;
  • Staffing valet events on-site 20-30 hours/week (schedule will include evening and weekend events);
  • Recruiting bicycle parking clients to become members of the SF Bicycle Coalition;
  • Maintaining an inventory of Valet equipment and coordinating pick-up and delivery with Valet staff;
  • Submitting payroll and expense reports for Valet program;
  • Ensuring SF Bicycle Coalition’s presence is on-brand, professional and utilizes the appropriate marketing items;
  • Determining event-specific customer bike parking needs such as Valet site location, equipment, staffing and related logistical concerns;
  • Efficiently managing event contracts, billing and sponsorships;
  • Obtaining appropriate permits from City agencies for Valet Bicycle Parking;
  • Collaborating with the Volunteer Coordinator to provide meaningful and engaging volunteer opportunities;
  • Marketing Valet Bicycle Parking to new customers.

Candidates must possess the following qualifications:

  • Strong organizational, multi-tasking and time management skills;
  • Excellent interpersonal and communication skills;
  • An ability to work individually and as part of a team;
  • High degree of cultural competence;
  • Experience working with underserved communities;
  • Familiarity with basic computer software systems, including G-Suite;
  • Management experience;
  • Contract and grant management experience;
  • Valid CA drivers license;
  • Be a team player, willing partner with development, advocacy, communications and operations leadership; and
  • Flexibility and adaptability to evolving responsibilities
  • Ability to move 60 pounds by bicycle trailer to events throughout San Francisco.

Strong candidates will also possess the following preferred qualifications:

  • A commitment to and passion for the SF Bicycle Coalition’s mission and core values;
  • Experience working for and collaborating with a membership-based organization;
  • Customer service experience;
  • Experience with event planning and facilities management;
  • Volunteer management experience;
  • Sales experience
  • Be bilingual in English and another language, especially Spanish, Cantonese or Filipino/Tagalog.

Salary and Benefits: The annual salary for this non-exempt position is $45,000-$46,000 depending on depth of experience. Full-time benefits include excellent medical, vision and dental insurance.
Hours: Full-time, non-exempt.
Reports to: Program Director

About the San Francisco Bicycle Coalition

The San Francisco Bicycle Coalition works to transform San Francisco’s streets and neighborhoods into safe, just and livable places by promoting the bicycle for everyday transportation. Our work is guided by our five-year strategic plan and the core values of Transportation Justice, Sustainability, People Power and Joy. The organization’s culture reflects its grassroots origins and professional advocacy in equal measures. Our active membership of over 10,000 represents San Franciscans of all ages and backgrounds from all neighborhoods who are working towards safe, sustainable and more affordable ways to move around our city. The SF Bicycle Coalition is the largest city-based bicycle advocacy group in the nation and one of the largest member-driven groups in San Francisco. People of all races and genders are encouraged to apply. The San Francisco Bicycle Coalition is an equal opportunity employer.

Caltrain Board Rolls Back Progress

Posted on by Janice Li

After hundreds of people wrote in and over 20 public speakers showed up in person, the Caltrain Board rejected our pleas to take bike theft seriously at their meeting earlier this month. We are disappointed in their decision to limit bike accommodations on their future electrified fleet, but our advocacy for a bike-friendly Caltrain will continue.

Have ideas about Caltrain and want to receive updates about how to improve bike access on Caltrain? Sign up for our mailing list today.

Stay Up-to-Date with our Caltrain Campaign

So many of you took the time to write an email supporting our ask for three or more bike cars on Caltrain’s future fleet — thank you. We believe there should be at least three cars per train so that passengers are able to see their bike from their seat. However, the Caltrain Board unanimously voted to maintain the status quo: two bike cars with seven seats in view of 36 bike spaces on each bike car.

The work doesn’t end now. Your San Francisco Bicycle Coalition will continue to advocate for onboard bike security.

For those that park their bike at Caltrain stations, the news is better: after years of discussion, Caltrain has committed $3.5 million to expanding secure bike parking at stations. We’ll be pushing to see those funds implemented quickly so that Caltrain passengers with bikes have more options available to them.

Caltrain has seen decades of incremental progress and is now one of the leading transit systems in the world in accommodating bikes onboard.  As bike advocates, we will continue to work with our members to keep pushing that momentum forward.

We’re Hiring: Campaign Coordinator

Posted on by Charles Deffarges

The San Francisco Bicycle Coalition is transforming our streets and neighborhoods into safe, just, and livable places by promoting the bicycle for everyday transportation. We’re seeking a highly-motivated advocate to power this crucial work by advancing and winning support for key bicycling infrastructure improvements in line with our strategic plan.

The part-time Campaign Coordinator will be a part of our experienced Advocacy Team and help advance and win support for major bike projects. In particular, this person will support our campaign for Better Market Street by working directly with members, stakeholders, City staff and elected officials to win critical bike improvements on our city’s premier boulevard.

APPLY HERE

Applications will be reviewed starting on Monday, June 10, 2019 and considered on a rolling basis until the position is filled. The ideal candidate would start in mid-July 2019.

Primary areas of responsibility:

  • Working directly with City staff to track progress and meet deadlines for City-led bike projects, including Better Market Street
  • Engaging and communicating with members (e.g. drafting content for emails and blogs) about our work and all steps in the campaign process
  • Ensuring high turnout and support at public meetings for bike projects
  • Attending a variety of public meetings to take notes and make public comment
  • Data entry for tracking campaign progress
  • Assisting Advocacy Team with grassroots outreach, which may include streetside outreach or phone calls and emails to members and stakeholders
  • Assisting advocacy team with research to strengthen our knowledge base

Strong candidates will possess as many of the following qualifications as possible:

  • Commitment to our Strategic Plan goals, and Core Values, including Transportation Justice
  • Prior experience with community-based outreach and engagement
  • Ability to get around the city to attend meetings and perform outreach
  • Comfort riding a bike in an urban environment
  • Passion for making San Francisco a better city for living and biking
  • Strong written and verbal communication skills
  • Experience in public and professional settings
  • Ability to work on tasks independently, set personal and professional goals and manage time productively
  • Fluency in Spanish and/or Chinese (Cantonese or Mandarin)

Salary and Benefits: The hourly rate is $20/hour.
Hours: This is a contractor position of 15-20 hours per week with a duration of approximately six months. The position will require some work on weeknights and weekends in order to attend community meetings and events.
Reports to: Senior Community Organizer.

About the San Francisco Bicycle Coalition

The San Francisco Bicycle Coalition works to transform San Francisco’s streets and neighborhoods into safe, just and livable places by promoting the bicycle for everyday transportation. Our work is guided by our five-year strategic plan and the core values of Transportation Justice, Sustainability, People Power and Joy. The organization’s culture reflects its grassroots origins and professional advocacy in equal measures. Our active membership of over 10,000 represents San Franciscans of all ages and backgrounds from all neighborhoods who are working towards safe, sustainable and more affordable ways to move around our city. The SF Bicycle Coalition is the largest city-based bicycle advocacy group in the nation and one of the largest member-driven groups in San Francisco.

The San Francisco Bicycle Coalition is an equal opportunity employer.

BREAKING: Quick-Build Policy Approved

Posted on by Charles Deffarges

Today, we celebrate the approval of a game-changing policy to amend the City’s transportation code, allowing San Francisco to build life-saving street safety projects more quickly than ever.

The SF Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA) Board of Directors unanimously approved a new “Quick-Build Policy” earlier today, which expedites the approval processes for creating protected bike lanes and other street safety improvements. This new policy will allow City planners to be proactive about the change we know is needed on high-injury corridors throughout the city.

This landmark policy marks the culmination of months of effort from our members and other advocates demanding citywide, systemic change in response to the huge increase of traffic fatalities in 2019. Our elected leaders, led by Mayor Breed and Supervisor Haney, have also championed these changes, calling for safety projects to be built more quickly citywide. The quick-build policy will be a major pathway to accomplishing the Mayor’s ambitious goal of building twenty miles of protected bike lanes in the next two years.

In addition to the quick-build policy, SFMTA staff also named the first set of projects to be implemented.

  • Howard St. from the Embarcadero to Third St.
  • Valencia St. from Nineteenth to Cesar Chavez Ave.
  • Seventh St. from Folsom St. to 16th St.
  • Alemany Blvd. from Congdon St. to Putnam St.
  • California St. from Arguello Blvd. to 18th Ave.
  • Golden Gate Ave. from Polk St. to Market St.
  • Leavenworth St. from McAllister St. to O’Farrell St.

This new policy is just a first step. We’ll need to keep pushing to make sure these seven and future quick-build projects go in the ground as planned. As we continue to make progress towards safe streets for all, our members lead the way. Help us bring the change we need and join the SF Bicycle Coalition today.

Novio Tandem Giveaway Winner

Posted on by Whitney Libunao

When Chuck Strawser got his first bike as a child, he rode it “up and down and off everything in sight.” Since then, biking has become a passion for Chuck. “I used to work for the Wisconsin Bicycle Federation as a program manager about ten years ago,” he said. A former bike mechanic as well, he is now the Pedestrian and Bicycle Transportation Planner for the University of Wisconsin.

“My wife and I were given a Cannondale tandem bicycle as a wedding gift in 1997,” he said. They took the tandem on their honeymoon to ride the trails in North Carolina and have been riding it together ever since. After many trips along state park trails and to the ice cream shop in their town, “the 22-year old tandem was getting pretty worn out,” Chuck explained.

This past winter, San Francisco creative consultancy Novio teamed up with the San Francisco Bicycle Coalition to raise money to support biking in our city by giving away a custom-built Rivendell Hubbuhubbuh tandem bicycle — just in time for Chuck and Ellison to score a new ride.

After winning the giveaway, Chuck and Ellison welcomed this new tandem bike into their home in Madison, Wisconsin. In between the rains this season in Madison, Chuck, Ellison, and their 12-year-old son, Sam, have been taking the tandem out for rides and enjoying the good weather.

Support from businesses like Novio impacts our work. To learn more about business memberships and partnerships, contact whitney@sfbike.org.