Bicycling

Suddenly a white car passed close, horn blaring. It was a classic "punishment pass.” I was in the right lane. The left/passing lane was empty. There was simply no reason for it.

Now, before we get into the nominations in this category, we have to say this: all the groups are great! People who dedicate their lives to making our cities safer, more livable, more equitable, and more sustainable deserve all the praise they can get. These are people who are smart and dedicated and give more than their pound of flesh. They are all underpaid and over worked...wait, underpaid? Often they work for nothing.

This morning, the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency and the Department of Public works did a "ribbon cutting" ceremony (minus an actual ribbon) of San Francisco's first protected intersection, located at 9th and Division in SoMa.

Late last week, the San Francisco Municipal Transportation agency announced the results of a survey on its "Raised Bikeway Demonstration Project" on Market Street. SFMTA staffers are recommending a combination of features, plus bollards or some other kind of protection.

Vote for the Bay Area's Best Street Treatment Quick Fix. Which of these (or other nominations) should get a Streetsie?

Yesterday evening, some 100 riders gathered at the Fruitvale BART station to head out on a tour of Alameda's holiday lighting displays. David Coldiron, the events organizer, started the "Alameda Holiday Lights Ride in the Island City" back in 2011. As he explained it, the event lets him show his love for his home cities of Oakland and Alameda. "People beg me to keep hosting and it makes me happy, so I keep doing it," he said.

Last night, the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency held its first of two open houses to solicit feedback on possible safety improvements to Folsom and Howard Streets in the South of Market neighborhood. Some 50 people braved the cold and rainy night to voice opinions and hear from MTA staff at the SoMa Recreation Center. From the SFMTA's website:

Last week, cyclist Dana Cray Fernie was out riding on Potrero when she was hit and knocked down by a motorist. AnnaGrace Arnold, a close friend, wrote this description on the SF Bike Ride Crew Facebook page:

Saturday morning, the San Francisco Department of Recreation and Parks (RPD) held an open house to get feedback about potential pedestrian and bicycle safety improvements for Golden Gate Park. It was held in the County Fair Building Auditorium in the park and was attended by some 40-50 people.