DMV Permitting Fatally Flawed Autonomous Ubers?

Posted on by San Francisco Bicycle Coalition

The video of an autonomous Uber hitting and killing Elaine Herzberg as she tried to cross a Tempe, Ariz. street last week is jarring, to say the least. It also calls into question the dangerous flaws in Uber’s autonomous vehicle technology. As soon as one week from today, the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) stands poised to begin permitting autonomous vehicles in self-driving on our streets without anyone at the wheel. That’s one less safeguard than was in place in last week’s fatal collision.

Read our Executive Director Brian Wiedenmeier’s letter to the DMV below and sign on: Fatal flaws must be addressed before Uber’s autonomous vehicle technology is permitted on our streets.

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March 26, 2018

Jean Shiomoto, Director
California Department of Motor Vehicles
2415 1st Ave, Mail Station F101
Sacramento, CA 95818-2606

Dear Director Shiomoto,

On behalf of the San Francisco Bicycle Coalition’s over 10,000 members, I write to call upon you and your department to halt plans to issue any permits for autonomous vehicle (AV) testing in California until a full investigation can be conducted by the National Transportation Safety Board into the fatal collision involving an Uber AV that took the life of Elaine Herzberg in Tempe, Arizona on March 18, 2018.

A full investigation would allow regulators to determine what role Uber’s AV technology played in failing to properly detect and avoid Herzberg as she attempted to cross a six-lane street that evening. Per the CA DMV’s press release of February 26, 2018, we understand you plan to begin issuing testing permits to companies like Uber as soon as April 2, 2018. There is no benefit to the public in rushing this process, especially in light of events that call into question the safety of this technology as developed and deployed by Uber in Arizona as well as enforcement of AV test driver qualifications and standards of behavior.

The CA DMV has jurisdiction over the entire state, but I want to stress that San Francisco is likely to see more permits issued for testing than any other county. Given the density of likely AV testing in our city, people who walk and bike in San Francisco would be put in the greatest danger if unsafe technology is rushed to fully autonomous testing without understanding any potentially fatal flaws. Given that potential danger, I ask you to give special consideration to this request. The long-term potential for AV technology to improve safety on our streets can only be realized if we carefully manage its testing and deployment.

Sincerely,

Brian Wiedenmeier
Executive Director

cc: Senator Scott Wiener
Assemblymember David Chiu
Assemblymember Phil Ting

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Join our call for preventing the California DMV from permitting Uber’s fatally flawed technology on our public streets! Sign onto our letter today.

Yes to More Capacity on Caltrain

Posted on by Janice Li

With the promise of electrification in 2022, Caltrain is making strides to ensure the launch brings the best service possible to maximize bike space and overall capacity. Take a moment to write a letter to the Caltrain board to express your support for more funding to make that possible.

Thank You, Caltrain

In January, Caltrain staff submitted a grant application to take advantage of a new state funding program for transit. Their $630 million ask would add more cars to their electrified trains (from six-car to eight-car trains), bring station improvements and provide wi-fi service on board.

At the upcoming Caltrain board meeting on April 5, staff will provide background and information about their grant application. We are asking for letters of support for the grant application and the importance of extending trains in order to increase overall capacity as well as bike space. In particular, future cars need to be designed to prevent bike theft onboard, so that passengers with bikes feel that their property is safe.

While bike theft onboard is a known issue, we also know it’s a problem at Caltrain stations. This funding would increase secure bike parking facilities at stations, which are needed given the lack of facilities at 22nd Street and the at-capacity attended bike parking at Fourth and King.

The Caltrain electrification project is no small feat and will transform this transit service as we know it today. We will make sure to track the progress of this grant application and hope to celebrate more train cars and a better bike experience in the near future.

Another Season of Free Bicycle Valet at AT&T Park

Posted on by Miles Stepto

Hey baseball fans: We know you knew the Giants will be opening the home season on April 3, but did you know that the San Francisco Bicycle Coalition provides free Valet Bicycle Parking at all Giants home games?

That’s right: Every. Single. Game.

Upcoming Giants Events

Where Can you find us?
Some say you can find us always in your heart. Our Valet Bike Parking team has a physical location, however, on the McCovey Cove side of the park.

Do we have room for you?
YES! We can fit nearly 200 bikes at the stadium, though you’d be wise also to bring a u-lock, should you want to stop by your favorite watering hole after the game. However, we are unable to check baggage of any kind.

I like to get to the game early, when can I arrive?
Just in case you like to grab a bite before the game, we open two hours before the game starts and close 30 minutes after the game ends to make sure everyone has time to grab their bike.

What a fantastic service, it must cost a fortune?
Nope! Valet Bike Parking is free for all, though our staff and volunteers do appreciate tips.

Do you provide Valet Bike Parking elsewhere?
All over the place, we’ve been operating Valet Bicycle Parking for over 15 years. We are at hundreds of events every year. Learn more about our Valet Bicycle Parking here.

Don’t Let Your Children Miss Out

Posted on by Nancy Buffum

Don’t forget: The deadline for registering your children’s schools for Bike & Roll to School Week celebrations is approaching.

April 16-20 is San Francisco’s Bike & Roll to School Week — the largest event of its kind in the whole country. Last year, a record-breaking 90 schools and 6,800 students, parents and teachers across San Francisco participated. Let’s break that record with 100 participating schools this year!

Who celebrates Bike & Roll to School Week? Everyone: preschoolers, elementary, middle and high school students, along with their parents, teachers and even principals. We encourage all forms of rolling: bikes, skateboards, scooters, skates, — even your tricycle or your little red wagon. The deadline to sign up is this Saturday, March 31, so don’t miss out!

Do you live too far away to bike to school? Hop off the bus at the meeting point or park the car and unload your bikes to join the bike train. For instance, Rosa Parks Elementary families bike to school together from the 16th Street BART station..

The San Francisco Bicycle Coalition organizes Bike & Roll to School week as a proud partner of San Francisco Safe Routes to School, a partnership of City agencies and community groups working together to make it safe, easy and fun to travel to and from school by bike, on foot, by public transit and in carpools.

Is your school signed up yet? See the list of participating schools and if your school’s not listed yet, sign up now.

Thoughts on Valencia? Take Our Survey

Posted on by Kristen Leckie

Tired of navigating around double-parked cars on Valencia Street? Fill out our survey and make your voice heard: We’re looking for input from people who bike on their personal experiences on Valencia Street.

Take Our Valencia Survey

We had a successful first Valencia Member Committee meeting last Thursday, and now, we’re looking to bring more ideas to the table. This survey will give us a better understanding of the issues we all share while biking here so that we can work together and design a better Valencia for everyone. Our goal is to not only solve the chronic issues we face today, but to dream of a Valencia in the not-too-distant future where people of all ages and abilities feel welcome to bike.

Our Valencia survey will be open until April 20, and we’ll report back the results in early May. This member-driven campaign is just getting off the ground, so stay tuned for more ways to engage through our Valencia Member Committee.

Volunteer on the best biking day of the year!

Posted on by Kelsey Roeder

It’s time to get excited: Bike to Work Day 2018 is Thursday, May 10. This will be the 24th anniversary of Bike to Work Day in the Bay Area, and we need over 300 volunteers to help make this incredible event a success.

We need your volunteer support both leading up to the big day and on Bike to Work Day itself. Help us make May 10 the best biking day of the year and sign up to join us. Signups close Thursday, May 3, so read on and sign up today!

Here are all the great ways you can volunteer to help make this event a success:

Event promotion and prep:

Poster Distribution, through Tuesday, April 17: Help us put up posters at cafes and bike shops all over town! We’ll provide the posters, tape and a map of locations; you provide the pedal power. View the list of neighborhoods and sign up to spread the word about this great event.

Put up Posters

Bike to Work Day Volunteer Night, Thursday, April 19: We’re throwing a special Bike to Work Day night at our office. Help us prepare supplies for the big day and enjoy good company and dinner on us.

Get Ready

Bag-Stuffing Party, Thursday, May 3: Join us for our annual bag-stuffing party at the Bryant Street Sports Basement as we stuff 6,000 bags with goodies in preparation for Bike to Work Day! Whether you can join us for just one hour or all five, we’ll be happy to have your help. We’ll reward you with a free dinner and endless gratitude. Sign up to be a part of this busy, high-energy night.

Stuff Bags

Join us on the big day:

Energizer Stations*: Over 200 member-volunteers help out at Energizer Stations citywide on Bike to Work Day, brightening commutes with free coffee in the morning, or cheering folks on as they bike home in the afternoon. View our 26 Energizer Station locations and sign up today. Be sure to sign up for a training, too!

Get Energized

Photographer: Do you have professional or professional-level photography experience? Help us capture the magic of Bike to Work Day! If you’re interested, please sign up and leave a link to your online portfolio in the comments.

Bike-arazzi

Errand-Runner*: Love biking around the city? Want to be on call to make emergency supply drop-offs and deliveries? Must have own bike and be comfortable hauling a trailer with supplies. We’ll provide the trailer, you provide the pedal power!

Super Biker

End-of-Day Unpacker: At the end of an amazing day, bring your fresh energy and help us unload at our office.

Be Our Hero

For more information about Bike to Work Day, check out our event page.

*You must be a current member of the SF Bicycle Coalition to volunteer in this role. Not a member? Join today!

Mission High School Bike it Forwards Events

Posted on by Miles Stepto

On Wednesday, Feb 14, the San Francisco Bicycle Coalition donated a truckload of bikes and parts to the Mission Youth Bike Club. The club is an after-school program that teaches bike mechanics, leads bike rides and connects students at San Francisco’s Mission High School. Its goal is to give students freedom of mobility and a hands-on task that many find refreshing after a day in the classroom.

“Our stock of bikes and parts was seriously depleted, which was making it hard to run the program,” Esther Cervantes, who co-founded the club in 2013, said. “So we’re excited about the delivery from the SF Bicycle Coalition!”

Robyn with a bike he built up from a frame that Pedal Revolution donated.

The donation was the result of an initiative by the San Francisco Bicycle Coalition called the Bike Equity Network. The network brings together various community partners to discuss how to create and support an equitable bicycle distribution process per the City’s Unclaimed Bicycle Ordinance Esther collaborated with the SF Bicycle Coalition through the Bike Equity Network to highlight the need for resources for the program at Mission High School. This donation is one of the many ways that the San Francisco Bicycle Coalition is taking to ensure that low income youth have access to affordable transportation.

The SF Bicycle Coalition hopes to further promote future generations of people enjoying biking by continuing to work with the Mission Youth Bike Club and the Bike Equity Network on projects that will ensure transportation equity and skill building in San Francisco. If you’d like to support future collaborations such as this, please email miles@sfbike.org to get involved or donate a bike.

How to Convince Your Decision Maker

Posted on by Charles Deffarges

Getting a bike lane in the ground takes loads of public support. Our members help drive our campaigns by writing letters, signing petitions and speaking up at City Hall. Taking the step to support projects through approvals at City Hall is a big one but it’s not nearly as scary as it might seem.

Through an upcoming workshop, we’ll give you the tools you need to speak up and help win the bike lanes you need in your neighborhood and around San Francisco

Sign Me Up

At the Convincing Decision-Makers Workshop, we prepare our members to speak up for projects that transform city streets, whether at an open house or at a City Hall hearing. First, we go step by step to show what it takes to get a bike lane in the ground, starting from an idea all the way through construction. After highlighting advocacy opportunities, we take a look at what makes a convincing public comment. By the end of the workshop, you will have crafted and practiced a public comment that would sway folks ranging from a concerned neighbor to your district supervisor.

Whether you’re a public meeting veteran or brand new to local activism this workshop will have something for you. Come prepared to speak up and with a project in mind that you’d like to push toward construction.

Join us Tuesday, April 3 at our office to hone in on making real change happen on our streets.

Convincing Decision-Makers Workshop
Tuesday, April 3 — 6:00 – 7:30 pm
1720 Market St.

Fatal Crash with Self-Driving Uber

Posted on by Brian Wiedenmeier

Our hearts go out to the family and friends of 49-year-old Elaine Herzberg. The crash with an autonomous Uber in self-driving mode that took her life last night in Tempe, Ariz. was entirely preventable, and no one should have to experience the devastation they feel today.

Autonomous vehicle technology promises to dramatically reduce collisions and improve street safety in time. We’ve repeatedly warned Uber, however, that rushing out unsafe technology before its ready is unacceptable. When Uber launched autonomous vehicles in 2016 which made right-hook turns through bike lanes, we pointed out the danger of this illegal behavior.

The State of California took action, threatening to revoke the registration of the unready vehicles. Now, as the California DMV is on the cusp of issuing driverless testing permits to companies like Uber, Waymo and Cruise, we must ensure that the safety of people biking and walking is paramount. We strongly support San Francisco Mayor Mark Farrell in his calls for voluntary safety checks before any autonomous vehicles operate under this permit on our streets.

We call on Uber, Waymo, Lyft, Cruise and all companies that seek to test and deploy autonomous vehicles to take responsibility for public safety.

This crash with an autonomous vehicle should never have happened. From the bottom of our hearts, we hope that autonomous vehicle operators take the steps necessary so that we never have to say that again. 

Please join me in telling autonomous vehicle operators to prioritize safety first while they continue to work on street-ready technology.

Bike, Trees and Receive a Bike?

Posted on by Miles Stepto

Our Bike it Forwards program is partnering with Friends of the Urban Forest, a San Francisco non-profit dedicated to growing and maintaining the urban forest, to help make a difference in our community and our environment.

Through our , we work with low-income youth and job-training programs. Friends of the Urban Forest’s Green Teens is just such an effort, as an urban forestry vocational skills training programs working with low-income San Francisco youths aged 14-19. I KNOW, RIGHT?

Last month, we worked with two dozen Green Teens and, together, we brushed up on the rules of the road for people biking so that they feel safe while biking in their neighborhoods. We also trained them on basic bicycle maintenance and rolled each of them out on their new bikes.

On April 28, we look forward to seeing Green Teens at Bike Tree Love, our next event with Friends of the Urban Forest. Like we did last spring, we will provide a bicycle to crews of volunteers planting dozens of trees on local streets in the Excelsior. This year, volunteers who would otherwise not be able to afford their own bikese may be able to receive one! *Limited quantities available

This is an opportunity for you to make our streets greener and healthier for everyone. Sign up to volunteer or receive a bicycle if you cannot afford one.