Learning to Ride a Bike in Adulthood

Posted on by Christopher White

Editors: This article was originally published in Issue 166 of our quarterly Tube Times magazine, one of many perks of membership in the San Francisco Bicycle Coalition. Not a member? Join today.

“I’m doing it! Holy cow, I’m riding!”

A woman we’ll call Grace pedals for the first time across a broad expanse of pavement. Her husband and two young children leap up from their camp chairs and cheer. It’s an exhilarating moment that we never tire of witnessing.

Grace is a student in the San Francisco Bicycle Coalition’s Adult Learn to Ride class, one of our most popular Bicycle Education classes. For the first time, we’ve begun to offer the class in the southeast of the city, in collaboration with NOW Hunters Point, a decommissioned PG&E substation in Bayview-Hunters Point that has been cleaned up and reborn as a community events space.

For years, we’ve been offering this class on the eastern edge of Golden Gate Park, which is centrally located for much of the city. But the park is not convenient for residents of southeast San Francisco, because of distance and transit routes that do not make it an easy trek. Shifting some of our on-bike classes to the southeast is one small step in our commitment to making classes accessible and equitable for everyone in SF. The first class at NOW Hunters Point was held in July, and a second followed in November.

So who are the adults who take these classes? Most people who take our Adult Learn to Ride classes think they’re the only ones who have reached adulthood without learning to ride a bike. When they arrive at a class full of people in their 20s to 60s or older, from all different backgrounds, they know they have arrived at a place where they will be supported, not judged.

Another common fear adults have is that they will have to learn on bikes with training wheels. Our approach is very different. First, we remove pedals, then lower saddles to a height where students can put both feet flat on the ground. New learners start off walking with their weight on the saddle, feeling their balance on two wheels. They take bigger and bigger steps until they’re coasting and steering. Gradually we reintroduce their pedals. Before they know it, they’re like Grace, doing something they thought they’d never learn: pedaling across the asphalt, feeling the freedom and joy of riding a bike.

To learn more about our bike education programs, sign up for the newsletter at sfbike.org/edu.

Board Recommendations for the 2019 Board Election

Posted on by San Francisco Bicycle Coalition

The Board of Directors is excited to announce its recommendations for the 2019 Board elections. Deciding which candidates to recommend is always a challenging process given the number of highly qualified and dedicated members who have expressed interest in running for a limited number of seats. This year was no exception. There are an incredible number of exceptionally qualified candidates.

To make these hard calls, the board development committee has historically focused almost solely on evaluating candidates’ skill sets, how they fit the Board’s and organization’s needs. This year, guided by the priorities of our new strategic plan the Board has taken a slightly different approach, one that considers more consciously the critical importance of cultivating a board that reflects the makeup of our City. This ties directly to our strategic plan goal of transportation justice: building an organization whose members, board, and staff reflect San Francisco’s demographics.

This group of recommended candidates reflects our commitment to building an organization that represents all of San Francisco, deepens our relationships with underrepresented communities and neighborhoods, and elevates voices that are less often heard in bicycle communities:

  • Nic Jay Aulston
  • Sarah Bindman
  • Meaghan Mitchell
  • Tyler Morris
  • Pamela Ocampo
  • Kelli Shields
  • Alexandra Sweet
  • Juli Uota

Please also consider candidate questionnaire responses, where you can learn more about candidates’ skills and experience, membership tenure, involvement with the SF Bicycle Coalition, and why they want to serve on the board. Come to the member meeting/candidate forum on Jan. 23 to meet the candidates in person and ask them questions directly. If you miss the meeting, you can still hear candidates’ speeches by listening to the meeting tape.

Board recommendations are not intended to diminish the qualifications of other candidates, and we look forward to serving with whomever gets elected.

Voting for the board begins today, Jan. 23, through Feb. 5, 2019. Voting tip: Make a list of all candidates and rank them first before completing your online ballot to make voting easier. Please be sure to vote!

Final Input for Folsom, Howard Transformation

Posted on by Charles Deffarges

Protected intersections, two-way physically protected bike lanes, new community space — that’s the type of ground-up transformation that’s in store for the future of Folsom and Howard. Will you join us in pushing for that vision?

I’ll be there

Over the past year, we’ve seen both Folsom and Howard go through incredible changes. Now that we’ve won protected bike lanes on segments of both corridors in the near term, we need to grow that momentum to support the long-term streetscape project for both streets which will transform the way people bike and walk around SoMa.

In two weeks, the SF Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA) will be hosting two final public open houses for the Folsom and Howard Streetscape Project to present their designs for the corridors. The vision calls for extended two-way bike lanes on both Folsom and Howard, protected intersections throughout, and concrete buffers and mid-block crossings for pedestrians.

We want this transformative project approved, and these meetings are the last opportunity to show resounding support before the designs are finalized. Show up, bring a friend and let the SFMTA know that you want this project approved and in the ground as soon as possible.

Folsom-Howard Open House #1
Saturday, Jan. 26 12:30 – 2:00 PM
Bessie Carmichael Elementary School at 375 Seventh St.

Folsom-Howard Open House #2
Wednesday, Jan. 30 6:30 – 8:00 PM
Bessie Carmichael Elementary School at 375 Seventh St.

Happiness is a DIY Cargo Bike

Posted on by Rahul Young

Editors: This article was originally published in Issue 166 of our quarterly Tube Times magazine, one of many perks of membership in the San Francisco Bicycle Coalition. Not a member? Join today.

When Yaron Milgrom first moved to San Francisco in 2008, he bought a bike and rode it around the Mission with his son in a child seat. When his two daughters were born, his family switched to a pickup truck to get around because their destinations were often too far to walk with three kids. But driving meant facing rush-hour traffic and circling the block repeatedly looking for parking with tired kids in the backseat. Yaron wanted a change.

When his friend Saul Griffith offered Yaron a prototype cargo bike frame from his company Otherlab, along with spare parts and space in his workshop, Yaron jumped at the opportunity. Over two months, he added an electric motor and built out a front basket, a fold-down seat and seat belts.

Now, Yaron and his three kids bike every day — to the Civic Center Farmers Market, to his daughter’s co-op preschool, and on the bike lanes on Cesar Chavez and San Jose Avenue to Dolores Huerta Elementary.

“Biking has transformed my life,” Yaron says. “It’s actually made me feel more fully realized as a parent. When we bike together, the kids are happier, I’m happier, we’re talking to each other, and we’re all more engaged with the world around us. We get to our destination faster than we would if we were driving, and it’s a lot more fun.”

He adds: “We often experience parenthood in terms of the things that we have to give up. I thought biking was one of those things. But I can be a parent and not give up my love of biking or being outside. And I feel a deep sense of community and connection with other families I see on bikes, which I never felt in my truck.”

Yaron acknowledges they are lucky to have been given the donated parts and to have secure parking in their apartment building’s basement. “I know I’m fortunate to have had this opportunity. Cargo bikes are cheaper than cars but not affordable for everyone,” he says. “We need to work to make bikes like this a more feasible option for families throughout San Francisco.”

Learn how biking can bring joy to you and your family at sfbike.org/our-work/youth-family/.

Our Strategic Plan: One Year In

Posted on by San Francisco Bicycle Coalition

Editors: This letter from our Executive Director was originally published in Issue 166 of our quarterly Tube Times magazine, one of many perks of membership in the San Francisco Bicycle Coalition. Not a member? Join today.

One year ago, your San Francisco Bicycle Coalition adopted an ambitious five-year strategic plan to guide our work and achieve our mission of transforming San Francisco’s streets and neighborhoods into safe, just and livable places by promoting the bicycle for everyday transportation.

Our plan continues to resonate strongly with me, not just for its ambitious and urgently needed goals and objectives, but also for the values that ground them: transportation justice, sustainability, people power and joy.

Many organizations adopt plans. Often they sit on a shelf gathering dust once approved. I’m proud to report that our plan is different. Our staff and board of directors consult our strategic plan regularly — in many cases weekly — to evaluate our progress toward achieving the goals and objectives we set for ourselves.

The result is that we are making measurable progress after one year. From winning miles of new protected bike lanes across San Francisco to counting the number of bicycles we’ve parked through our Valet Bicycle Parking Program, we’re tracking the impressive advocacy and programs that your membership and donations directly support. See the numbers at sfbike.org/progress.

You’ll read in detail in this issue of the Tube Times just what our collective impact looks like on San Francisco’s streets. Among many victories we’re sharing with you, I’m excited about affordable and accessible bike share, the next step in realizing the dream of a path for people on the Western Span of the Bay Bridge, and protected bike lanes on Howard and Townsend streets.

If you want to see even more changes to our streets, help sustain our momentum in the year ahead by making a donation to the SF Bicycle Coalition Education Fund. It’s easy to do; just go online to sfbike.org/donate. Your support of the SF Bicycle Coalition is what makes our success possible.

Vote: Meet our 2019 Board Candidates and Read Election Guidelines

Posted on by San Francisco Bicycle Coalition

It’s time for the San Francisco Bicycle Coalition annual election of our all-volunteer Board of Directors. Here you will find information about the process, statements by the candidates, and links to questions you may have.

The timeline is:

  • Online voting begins on Wednesday morning, Jan. 23, 2019 and ends Tuesday, Feb. 5, 2019 at 11:59 pm.
  • Members will each receive an individual e-mail on Jan. 23 with a code and link enabling them to vote. This code will be sent to the e-mail address on file through which the member receives communications from the SF Bicycle Coalition. Please add invitations@mail.electionbuddy.com to your contacts. If you do not see your invitation in your inbox, please check your spam folder.
  • Voting in person is also available during office hours at the SF Bicycle Coalition office (1720 Market St.) for the duration of the voting period.
  • Opportunities to meet and hear from candidates will be available at our annual Member Meeting and Open House on Jan. 23.
  • Only current SF Bicycle Coalition members as of Wednesday, Jan. 9, 2019 at 11:59 pm may cast a ballot.
  • Results will be announced in the Biker Bulletin email and the Tube Times magazine.
  • If you have technical questions regarding voting, please contact our election administrators at boardvoting@sfbike.org.

 

About SF Bicycle Coalition Board Elections

The San Francisco Bicycle Coalition is governed by an all-volunteer Board of Directors. Any SF Bicycle Coalition member can run for the board. The board is responsible for ensuring the organization’s financial health and achievement of its mission. The 15-member board is elected by the membership. There is a board election each year and terms are two years. Eight seats on the board of directors will be elected by the membership this year for the term beginning at the first board meeting following this election until the new board is seated following the 2020 board elections. A full timeline and detailed description of the process can be found here.

In each election, members of the board who are not running for re-election may select and recommend a number of candidates. These board-recommended candidates meet the San Francisco Bicycle Coalition’s goals for board leadership with respect to commitment to the mission, specific skills (e.g., organizational development, finance, fundraising), representation of bicycle and allied organizations, and diversity. The SF Bicycle Coalition Board developed the following list of top skills/qualities to consider when recommending candidates given this year’s organizational priorities as well as ongoing needs from the organization’s leadership.

This will be our second board election using ranked-choice voting, giving members the chance to rank their votes in order of preference. Our board of directors adopted ranked-choice voting in the hope that it will encourage increased member participation in our elections and our work. For more information about multi-winner ranked-choice voting, click here.

If you are a member who is interested in learning more about board service in future years, please contact us at boardnomination@sfbike.org.

Candidate Statements

*All candidates completed an online questionnaire to declare their interest in running for the board.  You can view all candidate questionnaire responses here. 

 

Nic Jay Aulston (Incumbent)aulston_headshot

Board recommended

During my time on the board, I’ve earned four significant honors:

While it is impossible for one person to represent all the various, and sometimes divergent, priorities of our membership, I lead feeling obliged to listen, understand, and honor the voices of members while encouraging them to meaningfully engage with the SFBC to achieve safer streets for all.

As a co-founder of Bicis del Pueblo, I work with an ambitious group of people along with dozens of organizations and volunteers building community and addressing the needs of underserved individuals and families through improving their bike mechanic, riding, and advocacy skills in a culturally competent way.

I look forward to serving another two years on the board and continuing to elevate voices that haven’t been prioritized.

 

Sarah Bindman
bindman_headshot

Board recommended

I am passionate about transportation justice. I have dedicated my professional career to working as a transportation planner in both the public and private sectors designing protected bike lanes, evaluating transportation access, and helping transit agencies reach their mobility goals.

Since I began biking to work five years ago, I have fallen in love with the freedom cycling permits: a sense of personal agency and security. I have also experienced challenges including unsafe infrastructure, conflicts with vehicles and pervasive stereotypes. I am particularly interested in having cycling feel more approachable as it took me many years to feel safe while riding in the City.

I hope to leverage my experience working in transportation to advance SFBC’s strategic plan as I believe everyone deserves access to safe bike routes and the community support they need to feel comfortable while cycling.

Please support me and other Safety Together candidates!

 

Sarah Clusen Buecherbuecher_headshot

My name is Sarah Clusen Buecher and I’ve lived in San Francisco for more than 20 years. During that time I’ve ridden my bike for everyday transportation and recreation, but when my 16 year old daughter took up mountain bike racing with the SF Composite Team (part of the NorCal High School Cycling League) I gained a whole new appreciation of the many ways cycling can change people’s lives for the better. As my kids have gotten older and begun cycling around the city on their own, I’ve been grateful for the past work of the Bike Coalition to create a safer environment for riders and pedestrians alike. I look forward to working with the Bicycle Coalition to build on the organizations previous successes and to expand access to cycling to a new generation of San Franciscans for whom cycling can be a transformational experience.

 

Amandeep Jawa (Incumbent)jawa_headshot

After 13 years on the Board, I’m running again because I love this organization as much as ever! I love the change we make in the world. I love our mission. I love bringing the joy and the hope that is bicycling to more and more people.

SFBC is a kick-ass, get-things-done organization because of the strength of our members, channeled by our staff, and supported by our Board. Membership continues to be our greatest asset. Staff continues to focus and execute on our goals. But the Board has too often lost focus on what matters: supporting staff efforts to build bike lanes, expand access to biking, and make bicycling safer for all San Franciscans.

I’m running with Safety Together because we believe the Board’s priority is supporting our staff, financially, legally, and strategically, so they can stay focused on on our mission — promoting the bicycle for every day transportation.

 

Roan Kattouwkattouw_headshot

I’ve been an SFBC member since I immigrated here seven years ago. I was born and raised in the Netherlands, where I grew up biking to school every day from age 5 through high school and college. Back there that’s safe and perfectly normal, but here in San Francisco it’s not. We need to fix that.

We need a new, ambitious, citywide bike plan to build more and safer infrastructure. A lot has been achieved in the past five years, but now it’s time to set the bar higher. Protected bike lanes are the new normal; protected intersections should be next. Bike lanes and bike share stations should be available to everyone across the city, not just in a few neighborhoods.

I’m a software engineer and former manager at a non-profit by day, and an advocate at City Hall by night, and I’m endorsed by SFBC Momentum.

 

Meaghan Mitchell
mitchell_headshot

Board recommended

My life’s work is based off an African proverb: “If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.”

My success in building the trust of residents from the most vulnerable neighborhoods in SF, stems my experience growing up in Bayview, a historically marginalized community.

My background is multifaceted, but diversity, inclusion, and community engagement are where my focuses most commonly intersect.

Over time my outreach work has made me successful in helping establish the legislated “African American Arts & Cultural District” of SF, work with a team to launch the first dock-less e-bike share system in SF “JUMP Bikes”, debut Hoodline’s Bayview news coverage  through journalism, and lead the “Play Streets For All” initiative while working for Livable City.

With Safety Together, It would be my distinguished honor to bring my strong voice and advocacy skills to SFBC as a member of the board.

 

Tyler Morrismorris_headshot

Board recommended

I joined SFBC five years ago and have been a business member for four years. I actively volunteer and give back each year to SFBC. I’ve been a bicycle commuter for nearly twenty years not only in San Francisco, but also New Orleans and Los Angeles.

I own and operate Underdog Couriers—a bay area bicycle messenger company. Working as a messenger I intimately know what it’s like being an SF cyclist—the joy and frustration. I can’t help but support SFBC’s mission, staff, and the community it represents.

I’m running because I want the SFBC Board  to ACT. I want more Accountability, Communication, and Transparency. A Board that ACTs only strengthens SFBC’s mission. I’m endorsed by the SFBC Board, SFBC Momentum, and supported by SFBC staff.

I believe the Board can be stronger and more impactful to support SFBC staff and strengthen the voice of its members. Keep pedaling!

 

Pamela OcampoOCampo_Headshot

Board recommended

When it comes to transit, my go-to is my bike. While I value physical safety when riding the streets, it’s equally important that people feel they can identify with the greater SF biking community. The bike coalition’s reach and influence should be both accessible and transparent — and not cater to a single community of folks who have greater mobility, access, and capital.

As a Latina in tech, I’m constantly aware of entrenched barriers to entry and actively seek to challenge them. Effecting change in the social fabric of our biking community starts with a diverse board and a cohesive SFBC Strategic Plan. As a board member, I will wholeheartedly support our objectives, and will also hold the plan accountable for serving a diverse community and making our rides feel safe.

Please support me and the Safety Together candidates in prioritizing an inclusive biking community and safer streets in San Francisco.

 

Jeremy Pollock (Incumbent)pollock_headshot

I worked closely with the Bicycle Coalition on legislation (the Employee Bike Access, Bike Parking, Unclaimed Bikes and Bike Yield ordinances) as staff to Supervisor John Avalos.

In my first term, I’ve enjoyed bringing my knowledge of the City’s legislative and political processes to the Coalition’s work. I’m excited about building our member community. In 2018, I helped organize the return of the Bike Away from Work party, and I’d love to bring back events like Love on Wheels and Tour de Fat. I’m working to create a Board Alumni program to keep our former board members involved.

But I’m not gonna lie, it’s been a challenging couple years for our board. Please see my full thoughts (beyond 150 words) on my goals for my second term to help overcome the challenges we face. I’m proud to be endorsed by SFBC Momentum, but wish we didn’t have two “competing” slates.

 

Preston RheaRhea_headshot

I am endorsed by SFBC Momentum.

I’ve been in the Bike Coalition since I moved to SF, having volunteered at Bike to Work Day and at Winterfest.

I want to share with SFBC my skills as a team manager at a local internet service provider, working with city government to bring free high-speed broadband to public housing in SF, prior experience on the board of the Community Technology Network, and enjoyment of cycling communities like SF and East Bay Bike Party. Since 2014, I also lead a weekly ride to Ocean Beach called “bike religion” — riders touch the ocean and reflect before heading to work.

I am running for the SFBC Board to:

  • Advocate for member-based organizing initiatives
  • Commit the SFBC to participate in mass movement organizing with marginalized communities, especially around Vision Zero
  • Protect the SFBC from undue influence by car companies and corporations that profit from privatized transportation

 

Kelli Shieldsshields_headshot

Board recommended

I am committed to making San Francisco healthier, safer, sustainable, and more accessible through cycling. Bicycling should be safe, affordable and accessible for everyone. We can and should fight privatization of our city’s transportation infrastructure.

As a Director, I’ll work with staff and members to ensure the SFBC continues to direct the city’s transportation policy, fight climate change and diversify our membership. I will advance organizational transparency and accountability and cultivate member-led bicycle advocacy.

I’m a tenants’ rights attorney and longtime social and environmental activist, have represented organizations in nonprofit formation, governance and compliance issues, and have fundraised for environmental and social justice organizations.

I’m an active 11+ year SFBC member, volunteer, Bicycle Ambassador, regular participant in Board meetings, and daily bicyclist. I stand on unprotected bike lanes with People Protected, and was an organizer of the 2018 Bike Away from Work party.

Recommended by SFBC Momentum.

 

Alexandra Sweet

Board recommended

My name is Alex and I’m excited for the opportunity to serve on the SFBC Board! As a transportation planner, I have dedicated my career to planning streets that prioritize the needs of people walking and biking. I bring an expertise in bicycle planning, street design, and multimodal planning, including traffic, transit and parking projects, which gives me a unique perspective into how we plan our public spaces.

I have an unabashed enthusiasm for bicycling as the best way to travel, and am raising my toddler in a bicycle/transit-first household; she could express herself with a bike bell before she could talk.

As a board member, I’ll wholeheartedly support SFBC’s Strategic Plan, including growing a protected bike lane network and ensuring equitable access to bicycling across SF, so that people of all ages and abilities can bike safely, comfortably, and joyfully.

Join me in voting for Safety Together candidates!

 

Patrick Traughbertraughber_headshot

My name is Patrick and I’m running because I want biking in San Francisco to be more safe and inclusive, and to grow the Coalition. I began riding my bike to work 7 years ago, and have been an advocate for safer streets ever since. As a board member, I’ll focus on:

  • Expanding our network of protected bike lanes. We made a lot of progress last year with 5 more miles of protected bike lanes, but we still have a lot more work to do.
  • Bringing bike share to every neighborhood. This is why we started Our Bikes, and I will continue this advocacy as a Coalition board member.
  • Supporting SFBC staff, strategic plan, and growing the organization’s inclusivity, membership, and influence.

The SF Bicycle Coalition is an incredible organization and I’m thankful for the chance to serve on the board. Please support me and the other Safety Together candidates!

 

Juli UotaUota_headshot

Board recommended

I bike because of the SF Bicycle Coalition. I’m a product of our education program beginning with the Adult Learn to Ride class. While skills were important — our supportive community brought me to the bike lane.

Now, as an Adult Learn to Ride instructor, I work to maintain and expand the green lane community. Being a bike instructor, a decade-long volunteer, an Outer-Parkside resident, and having learned to bike as an adult give me a perspective the Board needs.

I’ve been SFBC Phone Bank Coordinator for nine years and an SF resident for eighteen. SF stands at a critical point where the leadership of the Bike Coalition is needed. I want to continue to push cycling forward, for those for whom it’s an identity and those for whom it’s a simple act of transport.

Please support me and SafetyTogether for better streets and a more inclusive, diverse community.

 

Brad Williford

I’m running to build more protected bike lanes and an inclusive bike community. I will:

I’ve delivered results and as your board member I’ll remain relentlessly focused on safety and inclusion.

 

Jiro Yamamoto (Incumbent)yamamoto_headshot

Waking up in the hospital in 1999 after being hit by a car, I decided to join the SFBC, the California Bicycle Coalition and the League of American Bicyclists. Advocating for safer streets is essential to inspire more people to bike. Cycling is key to reversing climate change.

As a 21-year firefighter in San Francisco, I see firsthand the reality of our complex mix of infrastructure, motorists, pedestrians and cyclists. The injuries and deaths on our streets motivate me to press for positive change.

As a 19-year SFBC member and board incumbent, I have volunteered at countless SFBC events. I am running for a second term on the board to activate, diversify and increase our membership to move us forward. I believe “United, our collective efforts will transform the city.”

I am proud to be endorsed by SFBC Momentum.

Wheel Talk: The Politics and Perils of Aggressive Passing

Posted on by Christopher White

Wheel Talk for Wheel People is a monthly advice column written by program director Christopher White. Though bikes, biking, and getting around SF are our areas of expertise, feel free to ask anything! To submit your questions, please click here.

Wheel Talk, the other day I was riding home from work in a bike lane that runs next to parallel-parked cars. Not wanting to get doored, I was riding on the left side of the bike lane. I was riding my usual pace, which is not the fastest but not the slowest. Mid-block, I was startled by a male cyclist speeding past me, rather close, and shouting, “Slow bikes keep right!” (I’m a woman in my 40s.) Ever since then, I waver between mortified and furious. Was he justified, and I should be staying to the right? Or was he being a jerk? —Back and Forth

Dear Back and Forth: Your message brings up a lot of feelings for me, mostly in the arena of outrage. But before I get to those, let me be direct: You were in the right; this guy was both wrong and behaving terribly.

As you clearly are aware, many regular bike lanes run closely alongside parked cars, each of which could pose a sudden dooring hazard. All people on bikes should ride at least three feet away from parked cars, which usually means near the outside edge of these bike lanes. The  way to pass a slower bike that’s safest for all is to merge into the general traffic lane, checking first to make sure it is clear to do so and giving the slower rider a relatively wide berth. First priority for all of us on bikes must be keeping ourselves and those around us safe. Convenience — which was clearly this person’s primary concern — must be a far lower priority.

Now to the feelings. This man may have cut it close, but what really singles him out for jerk-dom was yelling. It’s frustrating to have to say this in 2019, but, men, don’t shout at women on the street! Unless your aim is to alert them to imminent harm, just don’t do it. Does it matter that what he yelled was wrong? It certainly makes the situation more galling, but no, it doesn’t really matter. Because the dynamic generated by a man yelling at a woman on the street is about power, and about aggressively asserting who this public space belongs to.

This unhealthy dynamic in our bike lanes is a huge problem. One of the clearest ways to improve safety for people who bike is getting more people biking. To get there, everyone must feel welcome in the bike lanes. But according to an important recent study in SF, only 29% of the people observed biking (admittedly at a single location during a limited time) were women. In the focus group conversations that were part of this study, women identified being made to feel uncomfortable by males on bikes as a major barrier to biking. (And there’s a lot more of interest in that study; go read it!)

If we want to achieve the bikey utopia that many envision for San Francisco, we must do better at making our bike lanes truly inclusive. And for that I’m largely looking at you, my fellow white cisgender men.

Wheel Talk, I ride the Wiggle nearly every day, usually on my e-assist family bike I use to bring the kids to school. More than once, I’ve been riding east on Oak with a strong head of steam, turning onto Scott, when some dude (so far it’s always been a dude) passes me on the turn, so close I could have reached out and touched him. I’m a pretty confident biker, so it didn’t faze me too much. But is this safe? —Lean In (to the Turn)

Dear Lean In: This question allows me a corollary to my response above. Dudes: enough with the aggressive riding! Again, speed, efficiency and convenience must, must be secondary to everyone’s safety. These men who pass you, Lean In, have no idea how strong a rider you are. A less experienced biker could be startled by this behavior, causing a swerve that could take out both riders.

Dear readers, when it comes to passing while riding your bike, only do it when it’s safe for you and the other rider, and do it on the left. Feel free to communicate that you are passing, either with a ding of your bell or a friendly “On your left!” Don’t do it aggressively. Don’t do it on a turn. Don’t do it with a taunt or stink-eye. Let’s build our numbers by making the bike lane a place where everyone wants to be.

A final note: please also be considerate of those who might want to pass by making it easier for them to follow these guidelines. This means keeping to the right in bike lanes without parked cars whenever you are not passing someone. This is particularly important in protected bike lanes, where it might be impossible to merge into a general traffic lane to pass on the left.

Start the Year Right: On Your Bike

Posted on by Nancy Buffum

Happy New Year! Whether you’re back to work or back to school, busy schedules and winter conditions may challenge your biking resolutions. Hold on to that promise to yourself to bike more.

Know that biking will only get better as the daylight lengthens and the 2019 street improvements roll out. Here are tips (or maybe a pep talk) to help you keep pedaling this winter.

  • All weather is biking weather when you’re well equipped. Invest in rain gear, then put it to use. Get out there and shine in your reflective jacket. Rain pants and waterproof panniers complete the outfit. Include your kids — they won’t melt! Children need outdoor time and physical activity year round. Rubber boots and just about any raincoat make fine biking gear for little ones.
  • Light up the morning when you bike and walk to school. Make sure your trailer and your child’s bike have high-quality bike lights, just like your own bicycle: a white light in front and a red rear light. You can decorate backpacks with reflective stickers and blinky lights as well.
  • Adjust your riding for wet streets and lowered visibility. Brakes are less effective and tires more likely to skid, so take it slow and give yourself twice as much time and distance to stop completely. To be extra safe when biking with children, you may want to walk your bikes in the crosswalk to cross multi-lane and high-traffic thoroughfares.
  • Save the dates for our big spring events. Get ready for fun and camaraderie by joining San Francisco’s Bike & Roll to School Week April 15-19 and Bike to Work Day on May 9.
  • Get more involved with the SF Bicycle Coalition, on bike or off. Take a class, volunteer, attend an SF Bicycle Coalition social gathering, and come to our Annual Member Meeting on January 23.

What’s coming up?

Now Hiring: Bike Education Manager

Posted on by San Francisco Bicycle Coalition

The San Francisco Bicycle Coalition is seeking a motivated, committed and organized Bicycle Education Manager. 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.

You will help grow and diversify our movement and play a key role in transforming San Francisco’s streets and neighborhoods into safe, just and livable places by promoting the bicycle for everyday transportation. This position will collaborate with a dynamic Programs Department of four to five individuals focused on youth and family biking, adult bicycle education, community bike builds and valet bicycle parking.

The Bicycle Education Manager will manage our growing bicycle education program. The SF Bicycle Coalition is the city’s leading provider of bicycle safety education. We offer free classes for adults, children and families, and teach over 1,500 people the rules of the road annually. The Bicycle Education Manager will oversee fulfillment of education contracts with the SF Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA) and bike share companies, as well as seeking additional opportunities to present high-quality, culturally competent bike education throughout the city.

The Bicycle Education Manager will also manage and grow our work educating professional drivers about safety around people on bikes and bike infrastructure. This work will include fulfilling existing contracts and seeking new opportunities with transportation agencies and private companies.

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

  • Manage multiple education contracts (SFMTA, bike share companies, Golden Gate Transit and others) to ensure deliverables are met;
  • Writing curriculum to ensure high-quality bicycle safety education classes are available for adult bike-riders and professional drivers
  • Hiring and managing a team of part-time bicycle educators, including scheduling, staffing and siting classes around the city;
  • Managing relationships with subcontractors involved in our outreach and Freedom From Training Wheels education work;
  • Teaching classes;
  • Updating bicycle and driver education curriculum regularly to conform to the California Vehicle Code and local regulations;
  • Cultivating and managing relationships with community partners to secure free or low-cost class event space, and support education goals citywide;
  • Soliciting and securing contracts with private companies and public agencies to expand professional driver safety training;
  • Generating revenue for the organization through a variety of fee-for-service educational opportunities;
  • Developing, implementing and analyzing evaluation tools to understand the program’s areas of success and opportunities for improvement;
  • Publicizing bicycle education classes to the widest possible audience, including but not limited to: writing and sending the monthly bike education newsletter; sending information about classes to local supervisors’ offices, neighborhood newspaper editors, community-based organizations, and other interested parties; hanging posters or flyers across the city; posting classes on internet calendars; working with the Marketing Communications Associate on social media ad buys; etc.;
  • Building relationships with community-based organizations that cater to low-income populations and diverse communities, ensuring that our bicycle education curriculum reaches a wide demographic;
  • Cultivating relationships with multilingual communities and identifying individuals capable of teaching classes in Spanish, Cantonese and Filipino, and seeing that curriculum is translated into these languages;
  • Managing the organization’s Constituent Services program alongside the Membership and Business Program Manager to provide the highest quality customer service and resources to our members and the greater bicycling community;
  • Advocating for and implementing a citywide bicycle ticket diversion program; and
  • Working with the Membership and Development team to host brown bag lunches or trainings about bicycle safety and education with business partners.

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 teaching or developing curricula;
  • Experience working with underserved communities;
  • Familiarity with basic computer software systems, including G-Suite;
  • Management experience;
  • Contract and grant prospecting, solicitation and management experience;
  • Strong writing skills;
  • Be a team player, willing partner with development, advocacy, communications and operations leadership; and
  • Flexibility and adaptability to evolving responsibilities

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;
  • Experience with project management;
  • Experience as bicycle educator;
  • Experience with community outreach;
  • Certification as a League Cycling Instructor (LCI) by the League of American Bicyclists (if a successful candidate is not an LCI, certification will be acquired within several months of start date);
  • Valid CA drivers license;
  • Bilingual language skills in English and another language, especially Spanish, Cantonese or Filipino;
  • Flexibility to work nights and weekends; this position may require approximately three-to-seven nights per month and one-to-three weekend days monthly.

Salary and Benefits: The annual salary for this exempt position is $50,000-$55,000 depending on depth of experience. Full-time benefits include excellent medical, vision and dental insurance.
Hours: Full-time, 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.

We are no longer accepting applications for this position.

Townsend, Howard, Valencia on the Horizon

Posted on by Charles Deffarges

We had a record-breaking year in 2018, with more than five miles of protected bike lanes built. Whether it was Tenderloin’s first protected bike lane on Turk Street or filling in critical gaps on 17th Street between Church and Sanchez, every block of new, high-quality bike lanes makes a difference.

We’re closing out the year strong. We celebrated unanimous approvals for near-term protected bike lanes on Howard, Townsend and Valencia streets in the past couple months. Most importantly, all three projects are rapidly moving into construction.

Connecting to Caltrain, Townsend is now repaved as paint and posts are being installed to establish a protected bike lane between Fourth and Eighth streets.

Townsend before and after

For people biking to and from downtown, Howard Street, like Folsom, now has protected bike lane from Sixth to 11th streets. Construction is about to wrap up so that people biking here will no longer have to contend with cars driving in the bike lane.

Howard before and after

On Valencia, this expedited project is about to break ground, and by the end of January, you’ll be able to ride these protected bike lanes here between Market to 15th streets.

For all of these streets, be mindful of construction, bike slowly and follow any posted signs or detours. If you have any feedback or issues during construction, don’t hesitate to reach out to our community organizers.

For Townsend and Howard, email charles@sfbike.org.

For Valencia, email andy@sfbike.org.

We look forward to celebrating all these bike lanes and more in the new year. Let’s break more records in 2019!