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).

December 8, 2010

Has DriveCam Improved Muni’s Safety?

Last January, on the same day the 19-Polk collision hospitalized 9 people, the SFMTA released a self-congratulatory statement regarding their improved safety record.

A few months earlier, in November 2009, Muni spent $1.2 million installing the DriveCam onto all their buses and trolleys “to help improve safety on the transit system.”

November 22, 2010

5 Killed in Motorcycle-Car Collision

On Saturday November 13th, 21 people of the Saddletramps Motorcycle Club were riding 80 miles outside of San Diego on Route 98 when a man in a Dodge Avenger swerved into them. Four of the riders and the driver’s companion in the passenger seat were killed instantly.

The FDA Acts 32 Years Later

Last Friday, the Food and Drug Administration announced that the drug propoxyphene (sold under the brand names Darvon and Darvocet) is going to be taken off the market.

Propoxyphene was a generic pain medication with similar effects as Extra Strength Tylenol, but with serious side-effects on the heart that has led to a “staggering” number of deaths during its 53-year use.
November 19, 2010

Upcoming Projects and Changes for BART

For almost a decade, BART has been planning and funding a transit village in Walnut Creek that would house 596 apartments. This $100 million project took a few steps back after being hit by the recession. Construction is likely to start in 2012 and take 6-8 years to be completed.

November 15, 2010

Biking For the Real City Experience

In yesterday’s NYtimes, Seth Kugel gave his amusing and illuminating account of Los Angeles from the perspective of a cycling tourist.

Kugel made it his goal to visit a reasonably large stretch of LA county comprising of places like Beverly Hills, Hollywood, Santa Monica, Venice Beach, Downtown, and Pasadena on a budget of $100/day.
November 8, 2010

Electric Bikes for Beginning Cyclists

Most of us have seen in the city (if not experienced for ourselves) the spectacle of bicyclists sweating their way up a hill (Filbert, anyone?). These vertical terrors might be deterring people from biking, says a recent article in the Chronicle.

So Point Reyes is combining forces with John Granatir (owner of Go Green Electric Bikes) to encourage more people to bike and “[get] people out that normally wouldn’t be”.