Author: David

San Francisco Wiggle PSA

DavidMay 19, 20112 Comments on San Francisco Wiggle PSA

“San Francisco has too many hills and too much traffic to be enjoyable and safe for cyclists.”

Or: “The Urban Myth that desperately needs to be exposed for what it really is: a myth.”

San Francisco has long been a great place to ride, and broad-spectrum bicycle infrastructure upgrades have made it even better in the past few years. Miles and miles of new, clearly-marked bike lanes, traffic calming measures, bike boxes, and designated routes that avoid busy streets and go around the steepest hills are just some of the things cyclists in the City by the Bay are smiling about.

One of the oldest and most used of the designated routes in SF is the “Wiggle” . (more…)

Posted In bicycling advocacy | calming | news | safe routes | san francisco

13-year-old Cyclist Killed in Traffic Accident

DavidMay 17, 20114 Comments on 13-year-old Cyclist Killed in Traffic Accident

The city of Alameda, California, is known for its flat topography, low traffic volume, a near city-wide 25 MPH speed limit, and bike-friendliness. Alameda is my home, and I feel quite safe riding around town with my 9-year-old son.

My sense of safety is shaken today.

The life of Brandon Sorensen, a well-liked student at Lincoln Middle School, came to a tragic end at the intersection of Santa Clara and Everett yesterday afternoon. Reporter Peter Hegarty’s full report can be read here.

I’ve gone through that intersection thousands of times on my bicycle in the past 20+ years. Riding through it will never be the same. My heart goes out to family and friends of the young man.

RIP, Brandon.

Posted In accident | news

Bikes on BART’s Escalators

DavidMay 16, 20116 Comments on Bikes on BART’s Escalators

Bicycles are currently not permitted on escalators in BART stations. It’s always been a “safety issue.” This may soon change. Denis Cuff reported on this last Friday in the Contra Costa Times.

In the cyclists’ corner, BART board members Robert Raburn and Tom Radulovich are working to reverse the ban. BART did its own study on the “safety issue” years ago and concluded that escalators and stairs were equally safe for cyclists to use in BART stations. Despite that, the escalator ban continues. BART officials say they want to encourage people to bike to BART stations because it can increase train ridership without adding expensive parking lots, and it reduces pollution and traffic congestion.

BART, kindly put your money where your mouth is. End the escalator ban. Thank you.

Posted In advocacy | safety | transit | transportation

Bikes on Bay Bridge Update

DavidMay 12, 2011Leave a Comment

What wonderful weather for BTWD here in the Bay Area! Kudos to the organizations that make this day possible, and to all the positive mainstream media outlets that put this day front and center. Hats off to all who kept their cars parked and pedalled today.

We’ve come a long way, my brothers and sisters in wheels. Infrastructure, political momentum, product options, and straight-up cool factor make right now an amazing time to be a cyclist.

This article from Zusha Elinson at The Bay Citizen reminds us we still have a long way to go.

Posted In Uncategorized

Bike Stuff in the Bay This Weekend

DavidApril 27, 20111 Comment on Bike Stuff in the Bay This Weekend

Looking for something to do this weekend? I have a few suggestions.

On Friday, Saturday, and Sunday,
Sheila Moon will be hosting a ‘Whimsical Warehouse Bizaarre’ in Emeryville.

I will be volunteering at a Bike Safety Class that’s being hosted by The East Bay Bike Coalition and BikeAlameda in Alameda on Saturday. This class is full, and pre-registration is required, but no worries! The EBBC is hosting six more such classes through June.

Also on Saturday is the The Red Bull Ride + Style Event in San Francisco’s Justin Herman Plaza. The event will feature more than 50 riders from fixed gear meccas San Francisco, Portland, New York, and Japan facing off in both track and freestyle competitions, with obstacles designed and decorated by local San Francisco artists.

Join me in dusting off your wool knickers for 2011’s first East Bay Tweed Ride in Jack London Square on Sunday. I haven’t been to one of these in a while, and I’m looking forward to having a smashing time. Cheerio!

Posted In Uncategorized

Take a Seat

DavidApril 21, 20111 Comment on Take a Seat

I don’t watch much tube. but I do watch Universal Sports for the bike racing. I try to avoid any ‘reality’ TV (not bein’ a hater, it’s just not me), but I had to make an exception for Dom Gill’s Take a Seat.

If you’ve ever been on a ride that challenged you mentally and physically, and in the end made you feel like you were capable of anything, then prepare to be humbled. I raced mountain bikes. I’ve solo cycle-toured through eighteen states and four provinces north of the U.S. border. I’ve accomplished much on two wheels, and I know what I can do on a bike. Dom is my new hero, and I am happily humbled.



Posted In video