Meet Nicole Sroka: Member and Fashionista with BIKEISTA

Posted on by Anna Gore

Meet Nicole Sroka, a new SF Bicycle Coalition member who’s working with a new women’s bicycling apparel company BIKEISTA. Nicole started bicycling in the city eight years ago and wouldn’t dream of reversing course. Read on to find out what Nicole loves about bicycling in the city and get to know her in person at a style show on Aug. 5!

SF Bicycle Coalition: How did you start bicycling in the Bay Area?

Nicole: I started my first venture into urban biking in San Francisco in 2009 after I sold my car and have never looked back!  A more experienced friend was particularly instrumental for showing me the “rules of the road.”

What’s your favorite thing about biking in the city?  

I LOVE the feeling of rolling down Market Street surrounded by a tribe of people who bike, like we are a positive force of nature! The best parts about bicycling in the city are all the benefits gained — time efficiency, cost savings, physical exercise, socializing while riding and reducing my environmental footprint. I have biked in cities around the world and have literally made lifelong friends while on a bicycle.

What are some changes that you’d like to see for people bicycling in San Francisco?

I’d like to see more safe and mindful driving by people behind the wheel, dedicated (versus intermingled) bike lanes, and ultimately, MORE bikes!

Can you tell us a little about your work with BIKEISTA?

BIKEISTA designs functional, yet fashionable clothing to support women, trans*, femme (WTF) cyclists. I am currently consulting with BIKEISTA on supply chain operations, building brand awareness and creating fruitful partnerships for the purpose of amplifying the company’s positive impact on the community and the environment.

BIKEISTA’s first style show is in early August. Can you tell us a little about the event?  

We wanted to create a free-to-attend, fun event for the Bay Area community to see BIKEISTA in action.  We’ll showcase a colorful collection of biker fashion (including even a gender-neutral tunic and a wedding dress!) that can also be purchased at the event.  Additionally, attendees will enjoy a panel discussion on trends, tips and useful experiences relevant to urban bicycling. The event takes place 2:00 – 4:00 pm on Saturday, Aug. 5 at the DNA Lounge in San Francisco.

BIKEISTA is a proud sponsor of Women Bike SF, an SF Bicycle Coalition program that supports and encourages women, trans* and femme riders in SF. Get to know BIKEISTA at their upcoming Style Show.

Now Hiring: Fall Interns

Posted on by San Francisco Bicycle Coalition

Applications are now open for our fall internships! Our interns are talented and motivated folks who jump right into the bicycle action. We accept both student and practical experience internships and request that interns make a minimum commitment of 10-to-20 hours per week for the fall semester.

This season, we’re hiring for eight different positions:

  • Bicycle Advocacy Intern: Put on your advocate hat! Join our Advocacy team to support our various street campaigns both inside City Hall and out on the streets.
  • Bike It Forward Intern: Learn more about this amazing program and give back to those in need.
  • Event Planning Intern: Make your list and check it twice to join us managing logistics of the best biking events in the city.
  • Graphic Design Intern: The Creative Suite is your thing. Make graphics to support our work.
  • Membership Outreach Intern: Extroverts, this one’s for you! Be the bicycle talk of the town and represent our organization at outreach events all over the city.
  • Public Affairs Communications Intern: Learn the ins and outs of public relations and put language to work on behalf of people who bike.
  • Volunteer Coordination Intern: We rely on over 1,000 volunteers each year to push our work forward. Put your people management skills to work in collaborating with these amazing folks.
  • Youth and Family Biking Programs Intern: Nothing’s cuter than a kid on a bike (unless maybe it’s a kid and a puppy on a bike). Support our Youth and Family program with your media savvy.

In addition to spicing up your resume with practical experience, interns get other great benefits like a one-year free membership to the SF Bicycle Coalition, ongoing professional development opportunities, discounts on store swag, first dibs on exciting events and opportunities and more! Still not convinced? See what past interns have had to say about their experiences here and here.

We’re accepting applications now and will be reviewing them on a rolling basis. What are you waiting for? Apply today!

If you’re not able to commit to a full internship, but still want to help us out – don’t worry! We’d love to have you join us at one of our many volunteer opportunities.

Volunteer at Tour de Fat: Festival of Beer, Bikes & Bemusement!

Posted on by Kelsey Roeder

Break out your wildest getup because Tour de Fat — Fat Tire’s merry celebration of bikes and beer — is rolling into town on Saturday, Aug. 19.

In addition to celebrating the beautiful bicycle, this fun and fanciful event is a fundraiser for the SF Bicycle Coalition and the Bay Area Ridge Trail Council. We need over 150 member-volunteers to make it happen!

There are so many ways to help out on the big day. Whether this will be your first Tour de Fat, or whether you’ve been to them all, we’d love to have your help. Read on and sign up today.

At the Event:*

Be a part of the excitement and volunteer on the big day! We’re looking for people to help lead the carnival games; to check IDs, sell drink tokens and pour beer; to run our merch booth; to talk about the SF Bicycle Coalition’s work, and recruit new and renewing members; to help park thousands of bicycles; and more.

THAT’S MY JAM

All volunteers will receive free admission to the event and a complimentary drink token. If you like an element of surprise in your life, sign up for the Mystery Shift and receive not one but two drink tokens. You can find more information about Tour de Fat here.

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

Educator, Actor, Bike Advocate: Christopher White Wears Many Hats

Posted on by Liz Sommer

Christopher White can be found riding through the Presidio, on stage in a new play, leading a bicycle education class or at his desk at the San Francisco Bicycle Coalition. We welcome Christopher, the new Program Coordinator for our adult Bicycle Education programs who is working to make biking more accessible to all through education and advocacy. Meet Christopher and learn more about biking in the city at one of our upcoming workshops!

SF Bicycle Coalition: Tell us a little bit about your new role.

Christopher: I manage the adult Bicycle Education programs. The majority of our public classes are funded by the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency, making them free and open to the public. These include our Traffic Skills 101 classes (both the Classroom and the On-Road) and Adult Learn to Ride. I’m also going to be developing a new course, Intermediate Urban Biking — look for it in August! And for the littler ones, we have Freedom From Training Wheels, a learn-to-ride class for kids at Sunday Streets. We also teach classes to professional drivers, such as anyone getting their taxi license, and to people interested in using bike share through Ford GoBike.

How long have you been a regular bike-rider?

I started getting seriously into biking the summer after I graduated from college, when I biked from New Haven, Conn. to Vancouver, British Columbia as part of a ride to raise funds for Habitat for Humanity. After those 4,000-plus miles, I was hooked! I’ve ridden as my primary transportation in most places I’ve lived, including Dublin, Ireland; Boulder, Colo.; and here in SF and Oakland for the past 14 years.

What is your favorite aspect of biking in SF?

The variety of landscapes and views we have! I love that in a single ride, I can see ocean and bay views, be in the woods in the Presidio, visit bison in Golden Gate Park, stop and get delicious food or coffee, or even get out onto the Golden Gate Bridge and see the whole bay spread out below me!

Is there anything else you’d like our members to know about you?

My background is in theater and performance — bike advocacy is something of a second (or third) career. I have an MFA in Actor-Created Physical Theater, and I founded and directed the SF experimental ensemble Mugwumpin for 12 years. Mugwumpin is still going strong, and everyone should check out the awesome work they’re making. And I’m going to be acting in the fall in A Tale of Autumn, a new play by Christopher Chen, produced by Crowded Fire Theater.

Looking to learn more about urban biking? Would you like to freshen up on your traffic skills? Are you ready to start biking for the first time? Sign up today to join Christopher at one of our upcoming Bicycle Education workshops!

Five Summer Rides for Families

Posted on by San Francisco Bicycle Coalition
By Michaela Tait Morrison

 

With July well underway, there’s plenty of time to explore San Francisco and add some new biking adventures for your family. Stay active and have fun by finding new places to bike, scoot and ride together before summer runs out!

1. Golden Gate Park

Golden Gate Park offers fun, beautiful and amazing bike rides for the whole family. You may even want to bring a picnic and play after your ride. The Park is especially family-friendly on the weekends: JFK Drive is closed off to cars from Eighth Avenue to Transverse Drive on Saturdays, and from Stanyan to Transverse on Sundays. Become more involved to make Golden Gate Park more bike-friendly.

2. The Presidio

Throughout the Presidio, you will be shaded by tall trees and surrounded by greenery. People biking may pop out on the coast, making this a two-mile bike ride with the option of continuing on the car-free path to the Golden Gate Bridge or by the beach along Crissy Field.

3. Lake Merced

The Lake Merced path includes a lot of greenery and the kind of abundant water views we love in the Bay Area. Most of the ride is paved, with a few paths for off-road biking, for a little extra adventure.

4. Dozens of Playgrounds

How about biking to a playground? With each neighborhood having one of San Francisco’s 135 playgrounds within a 10-minute walk, or an even quicker ride, there are a lot of wonderful options to explore. Have fun at our favorite playgrounds.

5. Sunday Streets

Sunday Streets is a giant neighborhood block party traveling to a different neighborhood of San Francisco every month. Bring the whole family to enjoy music, booths, activities (including mazes, sports and contests) and of course, bikes. Make sure to stop by the San Francisco Bicycle Coalition booth for free family bike test rides.

Make the most of your summer and go out on a fun biking trip with your family. Pump your tires, stay hydrated and most importantly, have fun!

Member Profile: Cat Steele

Posted on by San Francisco Bicycle Coalition

Longtime SF Bicycle Coalition Member Cat Steele has been biking in and around San Francisco for many years. Whether you have can match the longevity of Cat’s dedication to biking in SF or not, become a member like Cat today, and elevate all of our members’ voices for bike lanes that feel safe and welcoming for people of all ages and backgrounds.

SF Bicycle Coalition: How did you first get into biking in San Francisco?
Cat: As older teenagers, my girlfriend and I started riding our bicycles into San Francisco from Marin County, where we grew up. Approaching from the north end of the Golden Gate Bridge back then, you had to dismount and carry your bike down some metal stairs, walk across a metal walk way and up the stairs on the other side. For protection, you were enclosed in a heavy duty metal cage, and you heard the constant rumble of the cars overhead.

Where are your favorite recreational riding routes these days?
I like riding through Golden Gate Park, pushing hard then cooling down along the beach in the  breezy fog. I loved riding recently to the Presidio. The Wiggle streets make me giggle. I love the clearly marked bicycle-green dedicated lanes. I appreciate riding on the parallel streets that are marked with huge bicycle emblems while the cars run at full speed on their parallel streets.

What is one of your fondest memories from riding in SF?
When I was a girl, one time I left my parents’ home in Sausalito very early in the morning, crossed over the Golden Gate Bridge and rode through the city streets when all was quiet and dark. All appeared to be sleeping, except the garbage truck operators. I rode to the Great Highway and by the time the sun was rising I was on my way to Half Moon Bay enjoying a long invigorating descent down the old Highway One.

What is it about our work that’s kept you renewing your membership year after year?
I am a cancer patient. I was first diagnosed in March 2008 and went into surgery in May of that year. The surgery was on the heel of the bottom of my right foot, and the surgeon told me that I would probably be riding my bike before walking. I never adjusted to crutches or walkers: both of these mobility devices made my body feel lopsided, so I chose a wheelchair that I maneuvered with my arms. By November I transitioned to the bicycle. So I consider my bicycle an assistive mobility device.

Want to become a member like Cat Steele? It’s easy! Sign up here for cool discounts, free bicycle workshops and fun events. 

On Legislation Defining “Chop Shops”

Posted on by San Francisco Bicycle Coalition
Photo courtesy of the SFMTA.

 

Below is the letter Executive Director Brian Wiedenmeier sent on behalf of the San Francisco Bicycle Coalition to the San Francisco Board of Supervisors Land Use and Transportation Committee on July 7, 2017 regarding the committee’s consideration of legislation defining “chop shops” on San Francisco streets.

~ ~ ~ ~

Dear Chair Farrell, Supervisor Peskin and Supervisor Tang:

The problem of bicycle theft in San Francisco is a serious one. While data is incomplete, and thefts often go unreported, we do know from surveys that being the victim of bicycle theft or the fear of theft is the second most-common reason people cite for not riding a bike in San Francisco after safety. Worse still, those most impacted by bicycle theft are those who are least able to afford a replacement bike and rely on their bicycle as transportation to work, school and beyond. For these individuals, their bike may be the last lifeline allowing them to hang on in an increasingly expensive city.

Real and urgent solutions to the problem of bike theft are needed. Unfortunately, Supervisor Sheehy’s proposed ordinance targeting “chop shops” does not meet that bar. Instead, it focuses resources on the most visible symptoms of the problem without addressing their cause. Accordingly, the San Francisco Bicycle Coalition cannot support this proposal in its current form.

Chop shops, or assemblages of bicycles and/or bicycle parts in open view on our city streets, are without a doubt the most visible symptom of bicycle theft in our city. They are frustrating reminders of many problems that our city is facing, including homelessness, opioid addiction, displacement due to increasing costs of living, and the lack of affordable transportation.

In a 2013 memorandum to then-Supervisor Eric Mar, the City’s Budget and Legislative Analyst proposed a range of options for the Board of Supervisors to consider in combating bicycle theft. Some, like the establishment of a citywide bicycle registration program, have been achieved and made an impact on the recovery of stolen bicycles. Others, such as the creation of a bicycle theft unit within San Francisco Police Department, consistent analysis of bicycle theft data, and more open source information of stolen and recovered bicycles have been halted or never implemented at all.

In addition to these ideas, we call on the City to combat bicycle theft in a manner that focuses on the market for stolen bikes: the individuals who purchase stolen bikes to resell, often online or in other jurisdictions. Other cities across our country have had success with this approach, and we believe it would enjoy broad support on this Board and among the community.

In addition, we believe that prevention may be the most resource-effective method of combating bike theft, and we call on the city and the SFMTA to increase attended bike parking at transit hubs and in City-owned parking facilities, as well recommended in the 2013 BLA report. We will continue our work to help individuals request municipal sidewalk racks and bike parking corrals as well as educating thousands of San Franciscans every year on secure locking techniques.

The San Francisco Bicycle Coalition would enthusiastically support legislation that addresses the above strategies.

Sincerely,

Brian Wiedenmeier

Executive Director  

Planned Safety Improvements Preserved for Upper Market

Posted on by Janice Li

When we work together towards a common goal, we can win real change through people power. It’s been a busy 24 hours, and you’ve proven yet again that our members’ support for safety improvements can make all the difference on whether San Francisco’s streets become the bikeable, welcoming places you deserve.

Over 400 emails flooded Supervisor Jeff Sheehy’s inbox in the last 24 hours to hold him accountable to his expressed support for parking-protected bike lanes on Upper Market Street. And today, Sup. Sheehy led the full Board of Supervisors to uphold the decision by the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA) Board of Directors and unanimously reject an appeal to further delay protected bike lanes on Market from Octavia to Duboce. We thank Sup. Sheehy and his colleagues for ensuring due process of the appeal by considering the concerns but ultimately finding it without merit

Why was this appeal heard in the first place? A private citizen filed an appeal last month expressing concerns around the filing of the paperwork required for the environmental review. The appellant’s issues were not with the environmental review itself, but with how the submission was filed. In a subsequent letter, the appellant further stated that he hoped to resolve these concerns and “possibly resolve the appeal without the Board needing to hear it.”

The decision by the Board of Supervisors upholds the project, rejects the appeal and considers the issues resolved. And this victory for safety improvements on Upper Market Street could not have been possible without the diligence and commitment of our members. What this means for you is that the protected bike lanes on Upper Market Street will be implemented as rapidly as the City is capable.

The last 24 hours was a clear display of our members’ power in holding our City accountable. As one member wrote in his email to Sup. Sheehy, “It makes no sense that a Vision Zero city would put off these much needed changes.” We agree. As San Francisco is committed to ending severe and fatal traffic crashes by 2024, we need to come together and urgently take actions towards meeting that goal.

It starts here today with Upper Market Street, and our efforts continue as we fight for protected bike lanes throughout the city.

The best way you can help boost our advocacy is by joining or renewing your SF Bicycle Coalition membership today. Already a member? Your donation goes a long way to making sure we win projects like this on Upper Market and beyond.

Getting More People on Two Wheels: Meet Daniel Cavey

Posted on by San Francisco Bicycle Coalition
By Amanda Rivas

 

Longtime member and SF resident Daniel Cavey is no stranger to biking on the city’s hilly streets. He’s been riding in the city since 1997, but it was only after seeing the Embarcadero’s Bike Hut that he became motivated to do more for his workplace and encourage his co-workers to get rolling. Whether you’re evangelizing for biking among your coworkers or not, we welcome you to become a member of the SF Bicycle Coalition like Daniel and support our advocacy for transforming San Francisco’s streets today.

SF Bicycle Coalition: What first led you to become a member of the SF Bicycle Coalition?
Daniel: Before I even moved to San Francisco in 1997 I already knew that I wanted to be able to bike the city, to have that kind of lifestyle. Once I settled in, I wasn’t riding as much as I wanted to so participating in Bike to Work Day and joining the SF Bicycle Coalition felt like a natural choice to support something I wanted to do more.

What do you enjoy the most about the SF Bicycle Coalition community and events?
I like the options for workshops and riding classes to encourage everyone to become more confident with their bike.

What inspired you to create your “bike hut” at work for fellow riders among your co-workers?
I discovered the real Bike Hut while on a weekend Woodside/Pescadero/Tunitas Creek ride with my co-worker Andy. It was such a thoughtful thing to set up to help someone in need. I wanted to emulate that while encouraging my co-workers to ride. It’s just the worst after a long day when you might not be too excited to ride home, only to discover a flat or other issue. I don’t want anyone to be stuck, so I decided to swing by Sports Basement and start stocking it up.

Any future plans for your “bike hut”?
I’d love if other folks contributed to it, everyone chipping in a bit and making it better and more well stocked. It would be really great if the idea caught on at other offices’ bike cages; that would be really cool.

Also need some motivation to get rolling? Join the SF Bicycle Coalition today and get the latest on cool bike events happening all over SF. It’s a great way to make bike buddies while exploring the city on two wheels.

More Delays on Upper Market Safety Improvements

Posted on by Brian Wiedenmeier

UPDATE: The Board of Supervisors unanimously voted 11-0 on Tuesday to uphold the project and reject the appeal. We thank Supervisor Sheehy for recommitting his support to this project, and we look forward to the implementation of parking-protected bike lanes on Upper Market Street in the coming weeks.

The links in the post have been removed to reflect this update.

Those of us who have biked San Francisco long enough know too well how bureaucratic processes can be abused to delay safety improvements. Now, it’s happening again on Upper Market Street, and the threat is coming from a community leader who previously supported protected bike lanes there.

Behind the scenes, we’ve learned that Supervisor Jeff Sheehy is waffling on whether to further delay already-approved bike lanes on Upper Market Street.

Sup. Sheehy: Safety Can’t Wait

Yes, those are the same protected bike lanes that were approved by the SF Municipal Transportation Agency Board on May 2 and were ready to be striped this month. They’re the same lanes that Sup. Sheehy publicly supported after receiving hundreds of emails from you. And now, they’re being threatened by indefinite delays.

In recent weeks, an appeal was filed arguing that the bike lanes require additional review to assess their environmental impact. Those of us who have biked San Francisco long enough remember that environmental review was also the bureaucratic process abused to halt construction of literally every bike lane in our city between 2006 and 2010.

1. Email Sup. Sheehy Today

Email Sup. Sheehy to make it clear that safety can’t wait on Upper Market Street. He can be reached at jeff.sheehy@sfgov.org (copying janice@sfbike.org), or using the previous link.

2. Call Sup. Sheehy’s Office

Once you’ve emailed, please call Sup. Sheehy’s office at (415) 554-6968. When you call, don’t hesitate to let Sup. Sheehy’s staff know how you feel about the Supervisor considering further delays to protected bike lanes on Upper Market Street.

On a high-injury corridor and hugely popular bike route like Upper Market Street, delaying safety improvements is irresponsible.

We’ve come a long way towards seeing protected bike lanes on Upper Market thanks to members of the SF Bicycle Coalition. And now we need to rally to overcome one more obstacle. Every call and email makes a difference, and the safety of people walking, biking and driving Upper Market depends on you taking action today.