To view graphic version of this page, refresh this page (F5)

Skip to page body

Meeting Information



2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 2002 2001 2000 1999 1998 

San Francisco Bicycle Advisory Committee

Minutes of the Meeting on March 22, 2007

Members Present:

  • Andy Bindman, District 1
  • Susan King, District 5
  • Hitesh Soneji , District 6
  • Bert  Hill, Chair, District 7
  • Jerry Ervin, District 8
  • Rufus Davis, District 10
  • Casey Allen, District 11

Committee Announcements and Reports

  • Meeting was called to order at 6:50 pm.
  • Minutes of the February meeting were not available
  • Bike to Work Day has been set for May 17
  • Chairman Hill announced that there was a presentation last month on sidewalk riding on the corner of Market and Church
  • He also announced a meeting on April 12th at 9th and Irving for discouragement of sidewalk riding, promotion of bicycle safety education, and plans for a traffic court fine mitigation class
  • He also announced a tour of District 7 bike projects with supervisor Elsbernd on April 21
  • Hill attended the national bike summit in Washington D.C. March 13-16.  A delegation of five met Nancy Pelosi briefly and worked with her legislative coordinator for passage of the Bicycle Commuter Act and Safe Streets legislation.
  • Rufus Davis mentioned that the new 3rd Street light rail line will officially open on April 7 and that there would be a hearing on “Healthy Saturdays” (i.e. closing JFK Drive in Golden Gate Park) before the Supes land use committee on April 9
  • Jerry Ervin reported on improvements at Market and Octavia to prevent right turns from Market onto the freeway.
  • Susan King said that the Newcomer HS parking lot has now been tuned into a playground.

MTA Report

  • Oliver Gajda said that new www.sfmta.com website has MTA reports to the BAC
  • MTA staff member Damon Curtis also attended the aforementioned bike summit in Washington DC
  • He said that MTA is still looking at long-term options for Market/Octavia including permanent posts, allowable right turn with the bike lane to the left of the turning lane, and removing the bike lane, encouraging cyclists to merge with moving traffic, given the high downhill speed of bicyclists through this intersection. With the various improvements, 17 illegal turns per hour have been reduced to 3.  Alternative routes to Market/Octavia mailed to drivers was suggested by Ms. King
  • They will be testing colored pavement in a DPW yard – can’t be done on city streets because of injunction.
  • U-bike racks are coming lose in some locations.  There is a place on the website under ‘bike parking’ to report these problems.
  • TA report due on Market Street grates.  These are owned by BART – Hill will contact BART Director Tom Radulovich.
  • Nick Carr and Bert Hill met with Traffic Court to discuss bike ed as a method of mitigating fines for citations.  Nick Carr will contact Marin for details about their program.
  • Federal Safe Routes to School does not fund HS programs.  MTA needs to request funding at the state level.  Hill will talk to Nick Carr at safety program.
  • MTA is issuing an RFP for a ‘report card’ on Bicycle program effectiveness – Andy Bindman will lead the BAC subcommittee on the RFP evaluation.

SFBC Report

  • Andy Thornley reported that cargo lanes are on Port property and might be outside injunction’s limitation and therefore bike lanes  could be engineered and installed on Port property.
  • Portland, OR uses blue colored pavement for bike lanes.
  • Cyclist injured at Market/Octavia is on the mend and back at work.
  • City line 311 can be used to report problems with bike racks and street obstacles.
  • Report on pending legislation relating to bicycles:
    • Federal HR1498/S858: Commuter tax benefit act – equity for cyclists
    • Conserve by Bicycling a $6.2 million unfunded mandate
    • US Numbered Bike Route network.
    • State AB57: Continuation of Safe Routes to School
    • AB60: Motorists must stay 3 feet away from bicyclists
    • AB534: Adds $1 million per month to Bike Transportation Account
    • AB1358: Complete Streets – recognize that streets serve more than just motor vehicles

Task Force Reports

  • Golden Gate Park, Ms. King - Various groups have met with the Mayor regarding “Healthy Saturdays”.  There has been talk of a compromise that would alter boundaries on East end. All sides want to avoid another ballot box battle.  Elsbernd interested in report on effects on Sunday closure and will work with opponents to find common ground.
  • Member Business, Mr. Hill - The Committee now has three vacancies: Districts 3 (N. Beach/Chinatown), 4 (Mission) and 9 (Sunset).  Street skills course on March 24th.
  • Agenda Item 10, BAYVIEW TRANSPORTATION IMPROVEMENTS PROJECT was tabled until the April Meeting

Other

  • Gajda handed out 5-year plan for Prop K funding showing $750,000 per year for bike funding. Because of injunction, it’s heavy on planning and safety projects. 
  • Prop K not used to fund EIR which is budgeted at $300,000.
  • A motion made to accept the Plan
  • After some discussion and public comment, the motion was carried unanimously.
  • Meeting was adjourned at 8:50 pm