New Bicycle helmets provide better fit for kids!

Correct fit of a child’s bicycle helmet is critical. Bicycle helmets are the only thing between getting seriously hurt or walking away with a headache. The Seattle Children’s Community Education website, has a Quick-Fit check as a simple, quick guide to ensure proper fit. Ensuring proper fit is something that Bell Helmets is passionate about as well. They’ve recently released a new “True Fit” helmet that has an elasticized band that fits over the back of the head. This helps the head stay covered on the forehead and back of the head. Here’s the link to the article if you’d like to read more!

Car Free Market Street?

Market Street, San Francisco’s main thoroughfare is the center of a car-free study. city Supervisors and the San Francisco County Transportation Authority agreed Tuesday to a comprehensive study of whether to restrict cars on the downtown section of Market Street.
Initially advocated by Supervisor Chris Daly, a car free Market street met some resistant from business owners and advocates of car first policies. The study will be done within three months.

Cyclists Beware….

Cyclists beware: Market/Octavia Intersection is a Potential Death Trap, was the title of a January 25th Fog City Journal article by Luke Thomas.

Highlighting a false sense of security created by the small median between the bike lane and the traffic lane. Having the median makes a biker feel protected from drivers potentially making illegal right hand turns, this sense of safety is a false one. San Francisco Bicycle Coalition Program Director, Andy Thornley had this to say to Fog City Journal; “Does the bike lane at the Market and Octavia inbound – does that express a false sense of security? Yes, just the same way that a green light extends, probably, a false sense of security. I would advise, and I advise your readers, that at every intersection, don’t trust the green light, don’t assume that that’s adequate, assume that everyone is going to break the law, and ride defensively.”

Rider spoke up at a recent rally against the removal of a section of the Market Street Bike lane at Octavia. Cyclists won that fight but it’s up the them to stay defensive out on the road.

Read the full Fog City Journal article here

Bikers get breaks in Stimulus Package!

The Bicycle Commuter Act gives companies a $20 tax credit each month for every employee that rides to work! This act went into effect Jan 1st, so ask you employer about! The more co-workers you can get to gear up and ride to work the more your company will save. This $20 Tax Credit is a great incentive for businesses to encourage their employees to get fit and be green! Read more about the act.

Potential Removal of Market and Octavia BIke Lane

You read the title correctly, SFMTA is proposing to remove a short section of the Market Street bike lane where it intersects with Octavia Blvd. Since the 2006 opening of the Freeway ramp there have been 16 car/cyclists collisions. Read more about the removal here. Also check out the SFBC rally against the removal from 7:30-10:00 am on Friday, January 16th. Also, be sure to check out the SFBC’s Press Release and learn how to say no to this removal if you can ‘t make the rally.

Safe Bicycling in San Francisco

The San Francisco Bicycle Coalition is a 10,000 member strong organization that represents cyclists in the San Francisco. Encouraging safe cycling, the SFBC has many resources concerning safety and security. One of the resources is Urban Bike Training.

Taught by longtime bicycle advocate, Burt Hill, the Urban Bike Training course is a two day course offered for free here in San Francisco. Check it out! It’s great for new cyclists or seasoned pros looking to refresh their street skills.

Beyond the SFBC, San Francisco’s Municipal Transport Agency has a comprehensive bike program that includes links to San Francisco’s Bike Plan, riding safely in SF, commuting to work, bike parking and many other links to what the MTA has to offer the urban cyclists.

Brooklyn Bike Lanes

The New York Department of Transportation has been working hard over the years to make New York City greener. Some attempts haven’t worked, while others have had resounding success.

The latest green initiative, aptly called The Brooklyn Greenway Initiative, is a local project that aims to install a 14 mile bicycle and pedestrian friendly path.

Taking the first steps in planning, the Department of Transportation has painted 1.75 miles of bike lanes along the Brooklyn waterfront. This small stretch of bike lane has set off a bigger debate among residents and advocates of the initiative.

Dangerous North Beach Intersection…Yikes!

Thanks to neighborhood safety advocate, Richard Sheldon, North Beach might become a little bit safer.

The intersection of Pacific Ave and Columbus Ave has been flagged by Sheldon and the Municipal Transportation Authority as on of the more dangerous intersections in North Beach because of Southbound Pacific Ave traffic confusing Kearney Street with Columbus Ave. The drivers get confused when they see one way Kearney street causing them to accelerate onto Columbus directly into a busy crosswalk. Read the article here

Kids and Bike Safety

On December 10, 2008 The San Francisco Examiner put out a short article emphasizing the importance of keeping children safe on bicycles.

What used to be the job of Municipal Traffic controllers the responsibility has now been handed to the parents of young city riders.

For those of you who want to teach your children to ride in a safe environment I suggest the San Francisco Bicycle Coalitions’ Urban Bike Training or for the youngest ones in your family try out the Freedom from Training Wheels program also run by the SFBC.

If you’d rather stick with it yourself here is a great link to teach you how to teach the kids to ride.

Good luck, have fun and stay safe!