February 11, 2011

Danger Aboard AC Transit Buses

On Wednesday night, AC Transit’s 72-line bus was shot at multiple times with one bullet breaking a rear window. One passenger was injured by the shattering glass and police are still investigating the circumstances and motives behind the shooting.

The incident occurred at 9:50 P.M.
February 4, 2011

Redesigning the Embarcadero Promenade

For many years, the pier has been the site of much public activity beyond shipping and unloading cargo. If you bike, walk, or jog regularly on the Embarcadero Promenade, you probably have a good sense of what it is like to try and navigate the chaos of tenets, tourists, sidewalk restaurants, and maritime businesses.
January 25, 2011

Establishing School District Liability In Cases Involving the Assault and Battery of Students by Students By Shaana A. Rahman

Unfortunately, we are seeing a rise in both physical and sexual assaults of students, while at school, by other students. While we are all familiar with the schoolyard fight, there is a point at which such fights give rise to liability, not only on the part of the assaulter and his or her parents, but also on the part of school officials, including the school district, and supervising teachers.

January 21, 2011

Sustainable Bamboo Bicycles for Impoverished Countries

Worldbike is an organization dedicated to “designing innovative bicycle prototypes to advance development in poor countries.” Their programs have been implemented on a small scale in Cuba, Mexico, Rwanda, Senegal and Thailand. Their website presents a background into these programs:

An estimated 1.2 billion people live in rural poverty cut off from markets, schools and clinics.

January 19, 2011

It’s been 26 years since the California Cable Car Line has been upgraded. But shortly after Christmas Eve, the SFMTA closed it for the second phase of their Infrastructure Improvement Project that will continue through until summer. This construction will entail:

  • “Replacing aging electronic and mechanical components underneath the cable car trackway to ensure the continued safe operation of the cable car system”
  • “Reconstruction of concrete streets between Mason Street and Kearny Street”
  • “Street repaving along California Street”

The street closure was originally scheduled for January 3rd, but after a cable snapped on Christmas Eve, the SFMTA decided to shut down the cars a week early.

December 27, 2010

A Problematic New Law to Control Excessive Sound in Motorcycles

In the most recent issue of the American Motorcyclist Journal, former Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger was dubbed the Motorcyclist of the Year. This title was given to Schwarzenegger because of the impact he has made on the future of motorcycling through the signing of Senate Bill No.

December 22, 2010

San Francisco: One of the Most Dangerous Cities for Pedestrians

Over 800 people are hit by cars in San Francisco each year, according to an article in the SF Chronicle. An average of 2 people are hit everyday, and with the holiday season, this number is on the rise due to shortened daylight hours and “increased alcohol use and winter weather.”

December 17, 2010

2010’s Rise in On-Highway Safety Issues

The American Motorcyclist Association recently published a chart of 2010’s national on-highway safety issues. Out of a total of 1074 issues, 439 were for “Distracted/Inattentive Vehicle Operation” which includes:

  • Cellphone usage: Restricting or prohibiting use
  • Bans: Text messaging, internet use, drowsy driving
  • Hands-free:Use of cellphone
  • Distracted/Inattentive driving
  • Restricting video displays
  • After crash: Police reports to include distracted-driver info, enhanced penalties

This is an increase of 135 cases compared to last year’s 304 (source).