Win this Bike by Biking and Rolling to School

Posted on by Nancy Buffum

Bike & Roll to School Week is April 15-19, and students from preschool to high school are participating. Are you?  Pledge to bike, roll or volunteer that week, and you’ll be entered to win a Cleary bicycle in your child’s size.  

Join thousands of students, families and schools by taking the pledge to bike and roll this year. By pledging, you’ll be entered to win a free Cleary bike for your child. Cleary bikes are known to be lightweight, sleek, and built perfectly for kids. We’re so grateful to Jeff Cleary who generously donated three bikes to this Bike & Roll to School Week giveaway.

Take the Pledge

See the Cleary bike up close at Youth & Family Biking classes throughout San Francisco between now and Bike & Roll to School Week. And if your child attends a Learn-to Ride with our Safe Routes to School partner YBike, they’ll be trying out a Cleary bike.

For a free chance to win one of the three Cleary children’s bikes, fill out the form by midnight May 5. One entry per person, please! The winner of the drawing will be announced in May.

Nominate San Francisco’s 2019 Bike Commuter of the Year

Posted on by San Francisco Bicycle Coalition

Know someone who inspires you to bike and spreads the joy of biking to others? Tell us their story by nominating them for 2019’s Bike Commuter of the Year Award.

Nominate a Biking Hero

Maggie Chestney, 2018’s Bike Commuter of the Year, until recently, wasn’t able to walk due to eight failed knee surgeries. Today, she’s an avid bike commuter and climbs the infamous Fort Mason hill daily! In addition to all that Maggie has overcome, she helps get others cycling by regularly volunteering at our Community Repair Nights.

Do you know someone like Maggie? A friend? Coworker? Family member? Give them the recognition they deserve by submitting a nomination for 2019’s Bike Commuter of the Year.

We’ll be celebrating this year’s winner on the steps of City Hall at the Bike to Work Day rally on Thursday, May 9. Submissions are open now through April 2, and winners will be announced in late April.

Nominate this year’s winner today.

Nominate a Biking Hero

 

We’re Hiring: Valet Bicycle Parking Attendant

Posted on by San Francisco Bicycle Coalition

The San Francisco Bicycle Coalition is seeking energetic and organized individuals interested in providing first-class service to come be a part of our famous Valet Bicycle Parking team as Bicycle Valet Attendants. Candidates must have a flexible schedule, with availability on days, nights and weekends. If you want to further the mission of the SF Bicycle Coalition by helping provide safe and secure bike parking to your fellow bike riders at events all over San Francisco, we’d love to hear from you!

Hours: Flexible, part-time, seasonal work. Includes days, nights and weekends
Reports to: Valet Bicycle Parking Coordinator

Bicycle Valet Attendants oversee site-specific valet bike parking operations for events citywide. Bicycle Valet Attendants are responsible for representing the San Francisco Bicycle Coalition, as well as our mission and policies, to event organizers, volunteers and the general public. Bicycle Valet Attendants are also responsible for on-site volunteer training, care and management.

Job Components

A Bicycle Valet Attendants:

  • Arranges drop-off/pick-up of supplies at event site
  • Sets up and breaks down events
  • Ensures appropriate location signage and banners are displayed, all parked bikes are tagged, donation box is out and visible, outreach materials and signage is displayed on table, when available
  • Troubleshoots issues and resolves problems facing the Valet Bicycle Parking Program and SF Bicycle Coalition Volunteers
  • Is sensitive to opportunities to improve the quality, efficiency and effectiveness of San Francisco Bicycle Coalition work
  • Maintains an effective manner and demeanor and sets an example for others
  • Is a proactive problem solver dedicated to ensuring a high-quality experience for all
  • Keeps track of the membership envelope, any membership forms and any donations and arranges their secure return to the SF Bicycle Coalition
  • Attends SF Bicycle Coalition’s Bicycle Ambassador Training at least one time per calendar year and is effective in explaining current SF Bicycle Coalition policies, goals, objective, programs and activities.

Qualifications:

  • Commitment to providing a top-quality Valet Bicycle Parking experience for all guests
  • Ability to train and manage volunteers
  • Ability to work individually and as part of a team
  • Strong interpersonal and communication skills
  • Strong organizational skills
  • Comfortable working outdoors
  • Ability to lift 25-35 pounds required
  • Ability to lift bikes and gently place them about 4 feet off the ground
  • Ability to pull trailer of supplies weighing approx. 60 pounds (trailer provided by SF Bicycle Coalition)
  • Must have own bike and be comfortable biking in San Francisco.

Volunteer experience with our Valet Bicycle Parking program is a plus.
Pay is $17/hour for all events.

How to Apply:

Write a compelling cover letter and resume, and submit using the form. Be sure to mention where you saw the position advertised. Applications will be considered on a rolling basis until the position is filled. People of color and women are strongly encouraged to apply. The San Francisco Bicycle Coalition is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, ethnicity, age, religion, gender, sexual orientation or political orientation.

Apply For This Position

 

Sign up to Collect Data in Golden Gate Park

Posted on by Kristen Leckie

Our work to expand car-free space continues. Next up for Golden Gate Park: data collection. Just how many people drive and park in our city’s largest park on the weekends? We need your help to find out.

Count me in!

Since 1967, thousands have enjoyed car-free space in Golden Gate Park on Sundays. Those walking, biking, skating or scooting know what a beautiful, calm open space JFK Drive becomes. We set our sights on a similar transformation for Saturdays and won in 2007, albeit only half the year, from April to September.

Ten years later, we restarted our car-free Saturdays campaign to win back the space year-round. To ensure Golden Gate Park’s weekend streets are safe and accessible for all ages and abilities and to make year-round car-free weekends possible, we’ve been working with key stakeholders including the Mayor’s Office on Disability, Recreation and Parks Department (RPD) and the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency.

RPD needs your help in March and April to better understand how visitors travel to and from the park and its museums and buildings. Counting the number of cars parked will bring us a step closer to our vision of expanded car-free weekends. Will you help us expand open space in the City’s most iconic park?

Count me in!

Volunteers will collect parking counts in Golden Gate Park on multiple dates, including weekdays and weekend days before and after car-free Saturdays starts in April. Each shift is four hours long, and you can expect to walk between 1.5 to 2 miles during that time. If you have any questions, you can reach out directly to Lamonté Bishop from RPD at lamonte.bishop@sfgov.org and Kristen at kristen@sfbike.org.

Goodbye Mixing Zones, Hello Protected Intersections

Posted on by Charles Deffarges

At two open houses last month, SF Bicycle Coalition members saw many of the things they’ve been asking for Folsom and Howard streets revealed in the long-term transformation of both of these key SoMa corridors. Now it’s time to dig into the designs.

Join the Folsom and Howard Campaign

We know intersections are where most conflicts occur when you’re biking. Members were particularly thrilled to see innovative intersection design proposed for Howard Street. “I always come to these open houses asking them to get rid of the mixing zones,” commented member Laura Joose. “But look, no mixing zones!”

What is a mixing zone? That’s the portion of a bike lane leading up to an intersection where the lane drops, or becomes hashed, and bikes and turning vehicles mix. For as long as there have been bike lanes, mixing zones have been some of the toughest spots to navigate, especially in SoMa where big trucks and large traffic volumes can clog up the streets.

The reason that Laura was so excited is that the designs for the Folsom and Howard Streetscape project include fully protected intersections all along Howard, creating safe intersections for people walking and biking. Along with a two-way protected bike lane on Howard, these designs will fundamentally change how people riding get around SoMa.

Let’s look at how the intersection of Seventh and Howard will go:

  1. A 14-foot, two-way bike lane and new bike signals will allow people riding to go east and west on Howard.
  2. People riding west on Howard turning right onto Seventh will queue, protected by an island before using the main signal to cross, well ahead of vehicle traffic.
  3. People riding east on Howard turning left onto Seventh will yield to oncoming bike traffic before queueing in the same area and using themain signal to cross.

This is a new type of intersection for biking in San Francisco, and admittedly, a lot is going on. To succeed, bike riders will need to  slow down and yield to pedestrians and other people biking. With this behavior shift, though, we’ll see a safer intersection for everyone.

Although European cities are known for this design, we only have to look as far as Chicago to see that this exact layout works on downtown streets in the US. Our hope is that soon, similar intersections will be found throughout SoMa.

Protected intersection at Randolph and Dearborn in Chicago

Protected intersection at Randolph and Dearborn in Chicago

We’re Hiring: Development Associate

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’re seeking a passionate, highly-motivated individual to power this crucial work by supporting the organization’s diverse fundraising efforts.

You will have the opportunity to build upon our ongoing success and help to innovate our approach, while working with a dedicated staff and active membership of over 10,000 to promote the bicycle for everyday transportation. The Development Associate helps plan and execute contributed revenue strategy in areas key to ensuring organizational sustainability. Areas of responsibility include: database management, individual donor cultivation and stewardship, direct mail and electronic fundraising campaign support, foundation prospecting and assistance with the grants process, business partner support, workplace giving, and third-party fundraising support.

While the San Francisco Bicycle Coalition has diverse revenue streams and healthy finances, opportunities exist for even greater growth and diversification of our revenue. We are looking for a strong, creative leader in the fundraising field who will help our organization grow to the next level.

APPLY HERE

The Development Associate’s primary responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following:

Individual Giving

  • Manage individual giving, workplace giving, and third-party corporate giving portals;
  • Assist in planning all direct mail and electronic fundraising appeals; execute those campaigns by building lists, managing the mailing process, and facilitating the design process; and
  • Assist in planning and execution of SF Bicycle Coalition fundraising events, including annual signature events, house parties and major donor events;

Institutional Giving

  • Support Development Director in managing corporate sponsorships for major events including Bike to Work Day, Golden Wheel, and Winterfest;
  • Manage the SF Bicycle Coalition’s Grants calendar, including deadlines for applying and reporting;
  • Manage and expand Discount Partner Program, building relationships with bike-friendly businesses;
  • Manage and represent the SF Bicycle Coalition’s participation in third-party fundraising events, including the Climate Ride and other fundraisers benefiting the organization; and
  • Manage and maintain accounts on third-party giving portals and platforms.

Comprehensive Management of the CRM Database

  • Manage the maintenance, data input, data integrity and accuracy for Salesforce constituent database;
  • Manage the creation of donor reports, developing additional reports and dashboards that are responsive to the needs of the Development team;  
  • Assess and improve systems and procedures for effectively tracking pipeline of donors and facilitate information maintenance; and
  • Conduct prospect research as requested by Development Director.

Gifts Processing and Acknowledgements

  • Process all gifts from individuals, corporations, foundations and organizations;
  • Generate gift acknowledgement letters, receipts and pledge reminders;
  • Manage and coordinate monthly reconciliation and annual audit requests with the Operations Manager;
  • Respond to requests for information from donors, volunteers and staff in a professional and timely manner; and
  • Perform all functions with a high degree of accuracy and confidentiality.

Candidates must possess the following key qualifications:

  • Strong organizational, multi-tasking and time management skills;
  • 
Excellent attention to detail;
  • Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, both written and verbal;
  • Strong database-management and desktop application skills, including G-Suite and Salesforce or other CRM systems
;
  • Ability to lift 25 pounds
; and
  • Willingness to work occasional evenings and weekends;

Strong candidates will also possess the following preferred qualifications:

  • A commitment to and passion for the San Francisco Bicycle Coalition’s mission and core values of transportation justice, sustainability, people power, and joy;
  • Extensive CRM experience, preferably with Salesforce;
  • Experience with data visualization to communicate progress;
  • Experience working for and collaborating with a membership-based organization;
  • Bilingual language skills in English and another language, especially Spanish, Cantonese or Filipino;
  • Experience with 501c3 nonprofits; and
  • Experience managing donor and gift acknowledgment processes

Salary and Benefits: The annual salary for this exempt position is $48,000-$55,000, depending on depth of experience. Full-time benefits include excellent medical, vision and dental insurance.
Hours: Full-time, exempt
Reports to: Development 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.

Slow Down Excelsior, Prioritizing People-First Streets

Posted on by Andy Gonzalez Cabrera

Ready to make the Excelsior more bike-friendly and walkable? At open houses earlier this month, City planners presented proposals to improve connections to schools, parks and other neighborhood destinations. Make sure to stay in the loop as near-term projects move towards construction.

Sign Up for Excelsior Updates

Over the past couple of years, City planners have been engaging with folks in the Excelsior to identify opportunities to slow traffic and make residential streets more welcome for people biking and walking. During two open houses earlier this month, they presented proposals for near-term improvements to construct speed humps and raised crosswalks as soon as this spring.

These early fixes are just the beginning. Attendees voted on the top three intersections to prioritize for the next phase, and those longer-term improvements could include bulb-outs, traffic circles and more. People also gave feedback about where to prioritize connections and access to transit stops so that local, residential streets would feel more comfortable and welcome.

The Excelsior Traffic Calming project is only one of many transportation initiatives in the neighborhood, and we’re excited that there will be more opportunities to improve bike connections to and from the Excelsior coming up. Make sure to sign up for updates to receive the latest on what’s going on and what we’re doing to improve biking in your neighborhood.

Getting to 2,000 One Bike Rack at a Time

Posted on by Charles Deffarges

This morning, together with Supervisor Rafael Mandelman, we made our demands for the SF Municipal Transportation Agency clear: Bike racks belong on the street, not in storage. Install 2,000 of them in 2019.

Add Your Rack

While not a new issue, the scarcity of bike racks in San Francisco is getting renewed attention thanks to Supervisor Mandelman. “With the demand for bike racks dramatically outpacing the rate at which we’re getting new racks installed, we need to catch up and get ahead of the curve,” said Sup. Mandelman. “The more options people have for safely securing bikes and scooters, the faster we can decrease congestion and realize our Vision Zero and Transit First goals.”

The two new racks that were installed overnight at Maxfield’s House of Caffeine, where the press conference was held, are a small step toward 2,000. Unfortunately, the SFMTA has been neglecting the bicycle parking program they’re charged with managing, especially now that more people are biking and the newly permitted bike share and scooter share pilots have exploded the demand for bike racks.

The delay in installing isn’t due to a lack of racks or places to put them. Hundreds of our members have submitted installation requests, and thousands of bike racks are languishing in SFMTA’s warehouses rather than being installed on sidewalks.

Robin Kutner, an SF Bicycle Coalition member, experienced delays firsthand when a rack she requested faced multiple roadblocks and barriers. “I was frustrated by the SFMTA’s lack of follow through on their own bike parking program,” said Kutner. “Without a place to store a bike at the beginning and end trips, biking isn’t a viable transportation option.”

In addition to tripling the number of bike racks installed annually, we are also calling on the SFMTA to streamline its processes and install racks within three months of receiving a new request.

With a strong call from our members and now Sup. Mandelman, it’s time for the SFMTA to step up to do their duty. We know that they can do it. It’s not rocket science — drill eight holes and bolt the thing in.

Community Based Plan Continues in Bayview-Hunters Point

Posted on by Andy Gonzalez Cabrera

How do we make the Bayview a place where it’s fun and easy to bike around? Where walking and taking transit are welcome options? With real funding on the table to bring improvements here, the City wants your input at the next workshop in its community-driven planning process to better how you get around the Bayview.

Bayview Deserves More

Last year, the City-led team conducted outreach in the neighborhood and the feedback was clear: Urgent changes are needed to make it more safe, affordable and accessible to get around the Bayview and beyond. The ideas poured in, from improving walking and biking routes to transit stops, community shuttles and crossing guards. And people called for increasing the number of Muni buses and trains serving the neighborhood.

The feedback collected in the first phase of outreach has now turned into an extensive list of eligible projects for near-term improvements. Now is your chance to weigh in and make sure biking and pedestrian improvements proposals are prioritized.

Join fellow SF Bicycle Coalition members and other community stakeholders at this upcoming workshop to identify priority streets, draft project proposals and learn more about the participatory budgeting process. Get involved to make sure everyone is comfortable on the streets.

Bayview Transportation Workshop
Tuesday, Feb. 26  from 5:30- 7:30 p.m.
Dr. George W. Davis Senior Center -1753 Carroll Ave

And the award goes to… 🏆

Posted on by Chris Bannister

In early February, more than 70 volunteers joined the San Francisco Bicycle Coalition for our annual Winter Volunteer Appreciation party. The event, which celebrates everyone who has volunteered with us in the past six months, was hosted graciously by Dolan Law Firm and featured a fun-filled evening of games, drinks and camaraderie!

We are incredibly grateful for the nearly 900 volunteers who collectively gave over 9,000 hours of their time last year to help make San Francisco a better city for biking and living. A big thanks to our five award winners who went above and beyond in supporting our work last year. They were recognized during this special night:

Community Repair Night: Jordon Bluestein

Jordon is a bike mechanic extraordinaire and a regular fixture at our Community Repair Nights. Jordon joined the SF Bicycle Coalition in summer 2016 and has since completed a total of 66 hours of volunteering; 40 of those hours were completed in 2018 alone! Jordon has been instrumental in helping to ensure that the reclaimed bicycles we distribute to communities across San Francisco are safe and in good working order. We’re grateful to Jordon for all of his dedication and hard work.

Most Active Valet: Alex Heeger

With over 28 hours dedicated to volunteering with our Valet Bicycle Parking program, Alex Heeger spent more than double the amount of time parking bikes than our runner-up in this category in 2018 alone. No stranger to volunteering, this is the third volunteer award Alex has received from the SF Bicycle Coalition. We were so impressed by Alex’s enthusiasm and work ethic that our former Program Coordinator, Miles Stepto, used to joke about hiring Alex full-time! We are humbled by Alex’s commitment to our organization and his dedication to keeping our bikes secure wherever we choose to ride.

Advocacy All-Star: Taylor Ahlgren  

In addition to being a trained Bicycle Ambassador, Taylor Ahlgren has been an astounding voice of support for better biking in San Francisco and has given much of his time to improve the safety of our streets. Taylor championed street improvements on Howard Street at a high-injury corridor intersection, leading to a swift turnaround for protected bike lanes. He also built awareness and community around the loss of Russell Franklin, who died on Howard, including organizing a ghost bike vigil ceremony in his memory. We’re incredibly proud of Taylor, who is a constant presence at City Hall, pushing for transportation justice-focused policies.

Most Active Ambassador: Hans Huang

Coming up on his second year as an SF Bicycle Coalition volunteer, Hans has been a huge supporter of our Bicycle Ambassador program and has shown tremendous passion for our work and mission. After becoming a trained Bicycle Ambassador in September 2017, Hans joined us at 10 outreach events last year and clocked in a total of 27 hours of outreach — including Light Up the Night, Sunday Streets and Bike to Work Day! Big shoutout to Hans and all of our Bicycle Ambassadors for helping to spread the word about our work.

Rookie of The Year: Ava Lazor

Ava began her involvement with the San Francisco Bicycle Coalition as a Barter Member, in which she dedicated 10 hours of her time to volunteering in exchange for a membership. Ava has quickly become one of our leading go-to volunteers and has always been willing to pitch in and help whenever needed. Despite having recently relocated to Redwood City, Ava has still been able to dedicate her time to our organization. She has helped out at numerous events including Phone Bank, Light up the Night, Valet Bicycle Parking, and much more — elevating her commitment to the organization far beyond the ranks of a traditional rookie.

The San Francisco Bicycle Coalition holds Volunteer Appreciation Parties twice per year, and everyone who has volunteered in the previous six months is invited to attend. That’s just one of the many great reasons to join us as a volunteer. Check out our upcoming volunteer opportunities and sign up today!