An Election to Remember

Posted on by Janice Li

Polls closed less than 24 hours ago, yet we already know San Franciscans voted for sound policy and exciting new leadership.

Your San Francisco Bicycle Coalition has weighed in on ballot measures and candidates for decades, and we were proud to once again make endorsements to support Mark Leno and Jane Kim for mayor, Rafael Mandelman for District 8 supervisor, No on Proposition H and Yes on Regional Measure 3.

While votes continue to be counted by the San Francisco Department of Elections, decided races point toward a bright future for people biking in San Francisco.

Congratulations to Rafael Mandelman for becoming the next Supervisor from District 8. We are excited to see Rafael join the Board of Supervisors to represent the district, which includes the Castro, Noe Valley, Duboce Triangle and Glen Park. We look forward to working with him to advance his campaign promises of protected bike lanes on Valencia Street and expanding bike share throughout his district.

We’ve defeated Proposition H, which pushes back on the Police Officers Association and acknowledges that robust public safety policymaking process should never be shortcutted.

Regional Measure 3 passed to bring in millions for more bike infrastructure along with more Muni and BART cars. While the measure was not perfect, this funding will keep our city moving and our public transit affordable, while improvements for people biking and walking see a boost of $150 million regionally on Bay Trail projects.

As for the mayor’s race, it remains too close to call. We are proud of the work of our dual-endorsed candidates, Mark Leno and Jane Kim. We also know that London Breed ran a powerful campaign, and we have a lot of respect for how all mayoral candidates deeply engaged San Franciscans to talk about the issues our city faces and how we can move forward together. With all eight candidates completing our candidate questionnaires and engaging on how to make San Francisco more bike-friendly, we know that biking is central to the future of mobility in our city.

You can follow the election results at the SF Department of Elections website here, and we will be certain to continue updating our members over the coming days and weeks. And for all of our members who took part in our endorsements process and volunteered to Bike the Vote, thank you. We celebrate today because we bike and we vote.

Lastly, none of this work — winning policies and elevating leaders with the interests of people biking — would be possible without the support of our 10,000-plus members. If you bike or support our work for more and better bike lanes, but haven’t joined yet, please consider turning over a new leaf today. Join us as a member, and together we’ll deliver more victories in the months and years ahead for safe, livable streets.

Ride with (Bike) Pride

Posted on by San Francisco Bicycle Coalition
By Maggie Barbour

For one day Market Street is open to people for San Francisco’s Pride Parade, one of the largest Pride celebrations in the world. Join the SF Bicycle Coalition and show your Bike Pride by biking down Market Street to the roaring cheers of thousands.

All members are invited to participate in the SF Bicycle Coalition’s Pride Parade contingent. Bring the whole family; kids are welcome too. We’ll need people to ride their bikes and people to walk and hold our banner. Dress up yourself and your bicycle in unique and colorful costumes, and bring your portable speakers so that we can pump up the jams!

Members who participated in past parades say their favorite part of participating in the parade is feeling the positive energy radiating off of the crowd and other members, all showing up to support LGBTQI rights.

Come show your Byke Pride by participating with the SF Bicycle Coaltion’s Pride Parade contingent on Sunday, June 24. Sign up below.

2018 Golden Wheel Awardees Really Stand Out

Posted on by Chris Cassidy

For over a quarter of a century, the SF Bicycle Coalition has honored people and organizations going the extra mile for bikeable, livable streets. This year, we honor an SF bicycle advocacy legend, and an organization that is dedicated to safe streets in San Francisco. For the 2018 Golden Wheel Awards, we are proud to honor Leah Shahum and San Francisco Bay Area Families for Safe Streets, a program that is organized by our partners at Walk San Francisco.

Leah’s career spans nearly two decades of proven success championing movements to advance active transportation, including serving as the long-time executive director of the SF Bicycle Coalition and founding the Vision Zero Network, a nonprofit working to advance Vision Zero in communities across the country.

“One of my favorite victories with the SF Bicycle Coalition was expanding Golden Gate Park’s car-free Healthy Saturdays,” Leah told us recently. “It was such a challenging campaign, with opposition from some powerful, entrenched interests. For me personally, that was so significant because Healthy Saturdays is so undeniably beneficial for the people of San Francisco with the benefits extending beyond just people bicycling.”

But as Leah recognizes, in this work there are victories, but there are also some deeply felt losses, like when Amelie Le Moullac died biking in SoMa in August, 2013 following a collision with a truck.

“I remember that as a time of deep sadness, as is always the case for any preventable fatality. Amelie’s death really captured people’s attention, grief and anger,” Leah said. “With Folsom being such a busy morning commute route, so many of our most active members could relate to that tragedy. It felt like this could have been any of us.

“I think the SF Bicycle Coalition’s advocacy helped capture attention, and it felt like a turning point for the City really taking the experiences of people biking seriously,” Leah recalled.

“When I ride on Folsom and in SoMa now, I am so pleasantly surprised by how much safer it feels. There’s a tremendous difference from the streets that Amelie biked.”

Preventing tragedies is at the core of the advocacy of SF Bay Area Families for Safe Streets, a group of people who have lost loved ones to traffic collisions. While working together on street safety campaigns and effectively telling their stories to persuade decisionmakers, SF Bay Area Families for Safe Streets also offers a sense of community for people who have suffered tragic losses from collisions.

Member Julie Mitchell, who lost her son Dylan when he was hit by a truck while he biked on 16th Street, now channels her grief by fighting for street safety improvements.

“We’ve all been through very traumatizing experiences, and we all use that grief and that trauma as a power to see change delivered on our streets,” Julie told us. “Being active with SF Bay Area Families for Safe Streets made me understand that people like me can make a difference.“

People like Leah Shahum and organizations like SF Bay Area Families for Safe Streets demonstrate courage and determination day in and day out to make our streets the safe corridors that people deserve.

Join us Thursday, July 26 as we recognize these incredible advocates. For complete details on the 2018 Golden Wheel Awards, go to sfbike.org/goldenwheel.

Meet Bike to School Champions Robert and Kyle

Posted on by Nancy Buffum

Among the 90 schools participating in SF’s Bike & Roll to School Week last month was one remarkable school sitting atop Diamond Heights where scores of students biked, skateboarded, walked and otherwise rolled uphill. So what’s the secret to the success of Bike & Roll to School Week at Ruth Asawa School of the Arts (SOTA)? We caught up with teacher Robert Francoeur and sophomore Kyle Trefny to find out.

SF Bicycle Coalition: How did you organize Bike & Roll to School Week at Ruth Asawa SOTA?

Kyle: I started at my school assembly, where over 500 students come together for the annual student government voting. I took my opportunity as Sustainability Director to bring out the big prize boxes and get the word out; the student enthusiasm was overwhelming. I then organized through follow-up reminders on social media and posters. My twin sister Erin (Lowell High School) and I both love to draw so we collaborated on making posters at home. To anyone wanting to start a similar event, make big announcement posters and put them in central school locations. I also really recommend encouraging scooterers and skateboarders. There’s a big skateboarding community at Ruth Asawa SOTA, and it was great to see them use their wheels as a positive form of commute.

Robert: Usually I’m the one organizer and only have time to get the signs up and an announcement in. As Environmental Club president, Kyle was extremely helpful in preparing for and rolling out the event. He brought back a ton of banana chips from the citywide Bike & Roll prize packing party to distribute for the first day. On Tuesday, Kyle set up a Walk and Roll event where he tabled in the hallway and rewarded students who took public transit, skateboarded, or scootered to school with the banana chips. On Thursday he set up a pizza party for the bicyclists and had them write down ideas for improving cycling in the area around the school.

What advice would you give to another high school organizer to encourage students to bike to school?

Kyle: Number One, if you’re an adult, get students involved. Many schools have student governments or other passionate young leaders, and intergenerational engagement will cultivate a more successful result.

To other students: start by notifying the existing bikers and then expand outwards. Highlight the food and prize incentives. If you include other transportation besides biking, definitely approach the skateboarders or other closely knit people.

What’s your favorite story about this year’s event?

Kyle: One fun story is that we filled up all the bike racks at school! Most days only a few people bike and the racks can look barren. Through all the hype we stirred into the event, there wasn’t a slot left!

Robert: A sweet story: at the pizza party, Kyle gave up his own slice of pizza to a cyclist who arrived after the pizza was gone!

What advice would you offer to encourage more biking to schools?

Robert: Start teaching your kids urban cycling at a young age. Take them biking all around the city.

Kyle: I can’t emphasize the significance of Robert’s point enough; I’d never have the courage to bike in San Francisco if I had not been introduced early.

Robert Francoeur has been an SF Bicycle Coalition member and advocate for better biking for many years. We hope that his partnership with Kyle inspires new teams to organize Bike & Roll to School Week and other Safe Routes to School activities at their high schools next year.

For more updates on family biking events, tips and resources, sign up today for our quarterly Family Biking Newsletter.

Protected Bike Lane Complete at the Hairball

Posted on by Charles Deffarges

One strand at a time, we’re making the Hairball a safe place to ride. A new protected bike lane on Jerrold Avenue leading into the Hairball marks a significant step towards safe bike connections to and from our southeastern neighborhoods.

The Hairball is a complicated network of corridors converging underneath Highway 101 at the intersection of Cesar Chavez, Bayshore and Potrero. For many people riding downtown from southeastern neighborhoods, the Hairball is one of the few connections possible by bike, with potential alternatives feeling unsafely populated by large and fast-moving vehicles.

Driven by member concerns, we’ve been pushing to improve safe biking routes through the Hairball piece by piece. The new protected bike lane on Jerrold significantly improves the southern approach into the Hairball by adding soft-hit posts and new crossing markings. Now people riding towards the Hairball won’t have to share a turn lane with heavy traffic.

This new protected bike lane is only the beginning of the changes needed to transform the Hairball. The many people riding in the area, whether they’re commuting or heading to the nearby recycling center, deserve safe streets. We will continue the push for protected infrastructure at all of the entrances and exits of the Hairball so that the people who presently and do not yet bike here feel comfortable. Join us in our push for safe connections at this crucial intersection of routes to and from our southeastern neighborhoods.

Final Days to Bike the Vote

Posted on by Janice Li

By June 5, San Francisco voters will collectively be deciding the future of our city. From choosing the next mayor, who could serve until 2028, to a range of ballot measures that guide our city, it is time to exercise your political power and vote.

Most importantly, it is not too late to register to vote. Thanks to new state law, the City Hall Voting Center will be open through Election Day on June 5 for individuals eligible to vote in California. Learn more about the new voter registration rules here.

If you’re still undecided, your San Francisco Bicycle Coalition is proud to share our slate of endorsements to help you choose the most bike-friendly candidates and measures.

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Mayor

We have dual-endorsed Jane Kim and Mark Leno for mayor. Learn more about ranked-choice voting here and read more about our candidates.

Why Jane Kim?      Why Mark Leno?

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District 8 Supervisor

We have endorsed Rafael Mandelman for District 8 supervisor and believe he will be a strong champion for biking, given his history of support for the two protected bike lanes that were recently constructed on 17th Street and Upper Market. We recently caught up with Rafael, who had this to share: “I’m thrilled to receive the SF Bicycle Coalition’s endorsement. As Supervisor, I am committed to implementing a fully protected bike lane on Valencia Street, and doing everything in my power to reach the goals of Vision Zero.”

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Ballot Measures

San Francisco voters are weighing in on nine local ballot measures and one regional measure. Your San Francisco Bicycle Coalition has endorsed No on Proposition H and Yes on Regional Measure 3. Read more about the measures from fellow supporters.

Why No on H?      Why Yes on RM3?

To learn more about our endorsements process and how our board determined our final slate of endorsements, read more here.

Want to volunteer with the campaigns? There are still opportunities left if you sign up directly with campaigns here.

Welcoming Deputy Director Rahul Young

Posted on by Tiffany Recede

We are excited to introduce our newest addition to the San Francisco Bicycle Coalition staff. Rahul Young joins the team as Deputy Director, with a background in environmental conservation, affordable housing development and operations. He has biked in SF for decades and is a longstanding SF Bicycle Coalition member who believes in the power of biking to alleviate climate change, promote healthier communities and move our city to a more equitable future.

San Francisco Bicycle Coalition: What made you desire to work with the SF Bicycle Coalition?

Rahul: I have devoted my entire career to fight for climate change mitigation and social equity. Now that I have two daughters, I feel even more invested in channeling this passion to help tangibly make San Francisco a more livable and equitable city for everyone, including families. I want to help San Francisco to grow and evolve, while promoting the diversity, joy and weirdness that first brought me here 20 years ago.

What are you most excited about in your new role?

As the leader of the Operations team, I’m passionate about finding ways to help our organization run as efficiently as possible so that we use the time and resources of our members, volunteers, staff, donors and stakeholders effectively. I’m also really excited to build on the great culture of the San Francisco Bicycle Coalition, specifically helping to encourage additional staff empowerment, professional development, and diversity, equity and inclusion.

What sparked your initial interest in bicycle advocacy?

I first started biking the streets of San Francisco when I moved here after college in 1998. There were times in those years when I felt like I was the only person around on a bike, constantly searching for streets that were safe to get myself across the city. Seeing how much incredible progress the SF Bicycle Coalition and its stakeholders have made over the past 20 years has inspired me to do my part to contribute the next wave of infrastructure, training and advocacy that SF needs.

What inspired you to work with nonprofit organizations to promote social change?

I grew up as the son of an Indian mother and a Unitarian minister father, so social change and racial equity have been part of my DNA from birth. I grew up advocating with my church for affordable housing and to end homelessness, and I believe that promoting a bike-friendly San Francisco is a necessary part of making our community more affordable and livable.

Is there anything you would like to see improved on the streets where you most often ride?

I live in the Mission, so I’d love to see protected bike lanes on Valencia and Folsom streets. My seven-year-old daughter rides her own bike nowadays to go to dance class and the climbing gym, but virtually every day she has to dodge cars double-parked in the bike lane. Better infrastructure would make her rides significantly safer and would encourage more families to bike in the city.

Is there anything that you would like us to know about you?

My family has a deep love for karaoke, so if you see a cargo bike roll by with people singing off-key Taylor Swift songs, that’s probably us. Say hello anytime, let me know what the SF Bicycle Coalition can do better and feel free to sing along!

Want to join our team of staffers dedicated to making SF streets welcoming and safe for everyone? Review our complete list of staff openings and apply today!

This Job Is Cool

Posted on by Janice Li

As one of the more tenured staff members at the San Francisco Bicycle Coalition, I feel that I’m in the position to tell you why working for this organization is pretty rad.

And perhaps, you will be so convinced to consider applying to join my team as a community organizer (or at least share with others who may be interested!).

APPLY TODAY

1) We have the most dedicated, amazing members who care passionately about biking. My job is to work with them and win big.

Members Paul (left) and Patrick (right) connecting people biking on Bike to Work Day 2018 with our work for more and better bike lanes.

2) And we win, a lot.

My first week as a community organizer? Permanently lifting BART’s ban on bringing bikes onboard.

We mobilized hundreds of members to win Upper Market. The gorgeous new protected bike lane finished construction just last month.

In 2015, we turned out hundreds of members to SFPD’s Park Station Community Meeting to oppose a crackdown targeting people biking.

3) This job is always challenging, but we are always driven by our key values: transportation justice, people power, sustainability and joy.

If you have a passion for people-powered bicycle advocacy and a background in community organizing, this is just about the best way to blend those two into one job. Apply today!

Next Step Towards Valencia Protected Bike Lanes

Posted on by Kristen Leckie

Talk about people power! With well over 500 survey responses and dozens of members participating in meetings, a happy hour and a walking tour, our campaign for protected bike lanes on Valencia Street continues building momentum. Help pedal us forward and join us for our next Valencia Member Committee on Thursday, May 31.

Join Our Valencia Committee

Our survey gave us key information on how those biking use the corridor and where issues arise. Survey respondents identified three major intersections of concern at Duboce, 14th and 16th. These intersections can pose dangers for people on bicycles making left turns. Survey respondents also reported cars cutting into the bike lane while making right turns. We need your help to envision changes that eliminate issues like these and make Valencia safe for everyone.

Now that we’ve heard from our members on key concerns and walked the corridor with City planners, it’s time to regroup and chart next steps. This meeting will focus on putting together an inclusive strategy to make sure we get the best, most bike-friendly project with as many stakeholders as possible engaged. Come out to the meeting to connect with other dedicated members who want to make big changes in the near- and long-term.

Valencia Member Committee Meeting
Thursday, May 31 — 6:00 – 7:30 pm
San Francisco Bicycle Coalition, 1720 Market St.

Making Your Tax Dollars Work For You (and Your Bike)

Posted on by Janice Li

Every year, the San Francisco County Transportation Authority (SFCTA) manages over $100 million of sales tax revenue to fund smart and effective transportation projects throughout the entire city. Right now, they’re looking at what the funding priorities are for the next five years and they want your help.

Take the Survey Today

Originally approved by voters in 1989, and then reauthorized by 2003’s Proposition K, San Francisco has a half-cent sales tax for transportation to fund everything from protected bike lanes to new traffic signals and Muni vehicles. Managed by the SFCTA, the funding plan is updated every five years to determine how these critical tax dollars will help San Franciscans move around the city in a safe, affordable and accessible way.

Voters approved general categories for funding, while specific project priorities are updated every five years.

Prop K revenues help fund a wide range of bicycle projects. In recent years, revenues have helped add green paint and replace soft-hit posts to bike lanes around the city. Thanks to the support from Supervisor Jeff Sheehy, the current efforts to plan a protected bike lane on Valencia Street is also funded by Prop K. Beyond planning, these tax dollars have also led to construction of new protected bike lanes, such as on Seventh and Eighth streets.

With so much opportunity ahead to continue advancing bike infrastructure and more sustainable transportation, take a moment to fill out the brief survey here. The survey will close on June 1.