2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 2002 2001 2000 1999 1998 Bicycle Advisory Committee meeting
January 19, 2006
6:30 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
1. Roll Call: Frank Chan (D3), Hitesh Soneji (D6), Bert Hill (D7), Jerry Ervin (D8), Francisco Hernandez (D9), and Rufus Davis (D10) attending.
2. Announcements & Acknowledgments:
Bert Hill (D7): Peter Tannen, DPT/MTA Bicycle Program Manager, will be retiring after 14 years. He will be around until early April and then will be greatly missed.
3. Approve Minutes: Minutes from the November 17, 2005 and December 15, 2005 meetings by 2005 Secretary Susan King (D5) were approved.
4. Public Comment: none.
5. Chairman's Report: Bert Hill is pleased with the facilities put in by Mike Sallaberry (Bicycle Facility Engineer).
6. Committee Member Reports: none.
7. Reports on the Bike Plan (see below)
8. Task Force Reports
a. Bike Theft & Security (Bert Hill, D7): OnGuard has a new product, Locking Skewers for wheels. Kryptonite had a version for many years but stopped carrying them.
b. Bike Plan (Andy Bindman, D1): deferred.
c. Bayshore Blvd. (Rufus Davis, D10): The SF Bicycle Coalition and the MTA Bicycle Program continue to work with the architects of the Home Depot store. MTA staff delivered aerial photographs to the Home Depot architects for designs to be completed hopefully by end of the first quarter of 2006. This location may be an appropriate test case for new technologies or colored lanes.
d. Mills Corp. Piers 27-31 (Frank Chan, D3): task force suspended until further activity.
e. Golden Gate Park (Susan King, D5): Bert Hill reports that Susan King and Lisa Estrella (D4) met with Supervisor Ross Mirkarimi about a variety of issues including Saturday usage and the parking garage.
f. Committee Member Business: Lionel Shaw's term has expired, so there is an opening in District 2. Casey Allen (D11) is willing to step down or keep the position depending on whether a replacement can be found.
9. New Business
a. Sarah Tucker Fatality (Bert Hill, D7): Three SF Police Department representatives were present to speak about the incident: Captain Greg Corrales, Commanding Officer of the Traffic Company, with Sergeant John Nastor and Sergeant Bob Guinan.
Sergeant John Nastor: This is still an ongoing investigation, conducted by Inspector Tobin of the hit-and-run detail who has visited repair and auto-body shops in search of the vehicle. The initial investigation was conducted by members of the Northern Station.
Nastor: The intersection of Polk and Geary has a slight downgrade as one travels southbound towards it. There is a large apartment building on northeast corner that obscured the view for both parties. The point of impact was approximately three-quarters of the way westbound on Geary. The front tire of bike hit the right, front passenger door of the vehicle. There were witnesses located at the bus shelter on the corner, but they have consistencies and contradictions.
Nastor: The primary cause of the accident was determined to be that the bicyclist entered intersection on a green light. However, the bicyclist should not have entered until it was clear. The bicyclist did have a helmet on, but there was reflective or lighting equipment on the bicycle. The medical examiner had already removed clothing, so it is unknown whether the bicyclist was wearing reflective clothing. Given the obstructing apartment building, reduced speed by both parties would be necessary to increase reaction time.
Committee member questions established more details: This intersection should have a double red light for 1.2-1.5 seconds. The car's right mirror was knocked off. The bicyclist's point of rest was west of the intersection into Geary.
Public comment: Andy Thornley (SFBC) says the SFBC spent time with Inspector Tobin. Mr. Thornley asked about the December 17, 2005 incident injuring Spider Davila, but the SFPD officers present were not aware.
Follow-up discussion: Rufus Davis and Hitesh Soneji asked Bert Hill about recommended clothing and equipment. Andy Thornley (SFBC) gave a recap of the memorial ride that preceded the meeting.
Bert Hill read the following resolution from the Department on the Status of Women:
Resolution in Honor of Sarah Tucker
Bet it known that the Department on the Status of Women of the City and County of San Francisco hereby issues and authorizes the execution of the following honor and recommendation:
Whereas, Sarah Tucker, age 26, was a young woman who lived and worked in San Francisco in the nonprofit sector, raising funds for the California Academy of Sciences.
Whereas, Ms. Tucker met her tragic death in San Francisco on January 12, 2006 in a red light running, hit-and-run bicycle accident, and,
Whereas, Sarah was involved in promoting art and culture, and worked on behalf of the San Francisco Film Society, and on several experimental films and had a deep and dedicated interest in visual art and critical theory, and,
Whereas, Sarah never shied away from complex issues and new and different ways to approach current political/artistic problems and was a shining example of San Francisco 's social aware and vibrant culture, and,
Whereas, violating red lights is a serious safety issue in San Francisco despite San Francisco efforts to stem the problem, with 750 red light violations issues per month in San Francisco, and over 400 red light running and 272 bicycle accidents in San Francisco occurring in 2004, and at least one fatal bicycle accident a year occurring every year from 1999-2004,
Whereas, in the words of Ms. Tucker's friend, "she was so worth not being another statistic," and her exemplary life was so much more than a statistic,
Therefore now be it resolved, that the San Francisco Department on the Status of Women extends its deepest sympathy to Sarah Tucker's family and friends for her tragic death and honors her exemplary life, and urges the Department of Parking and Traffic to continue to monitor and strengthen its red-light program and take every measure possible to ensure no other young woman or person in San Francisco meets a similar tragic end.
Emily M. Murase, Ph.D., Executive Director
The Department on the Status of Women of the City and County of San Francisco
January 18, 2006
Resolution 2006-001D
b. TDA Funds Bicycle Facilities (Peter Tannen, MTA Bicycle Program Manager): resolution in support of TDA funds application.
Public comment: Leah Shahum (SFBC) asked why Ocean Avenue proposal only goes from Alemany to San Jose. The lane could connect further east to Mission and further west to SF City College.
The resolution was accepted with the change from "bicycle safety programs" to "bicycle safety education programs".
c. Residential Parking Reform for Downtown (C3 Legislation) (Hitesh Soneji, D6): Committee reviewed a comparison of current law, legislation introduced by Supervisor Daly, and alternative registration from Supervisor Alioto-Pier on land use issues such as minimum and maximum parking spaces per resident. This legislation could decouple the sale of residence from parking. It also would restrict the car entries that conflict with bicycle paths.
Bert Hill notes the proposed changes would bring conformance between the laws and the recommendations from planning commission.
The committee first voted to make a comprehensive recommendation of the legislation instead of approval to only the most bicycling-related items. Jerry Irvin voiced concerns about how we might be overstepping our charter by taking a stance on non-biking issues.
The committee then decided to go through each facet of the legislation to decide whether or not it was related to bicycling in SF (unanimous unless otherwise noted):
minimum parking: not related
maximum parking: related, 5-1 Jerry Ervin dissenting
above-ground parking: not related
size and accessibility of parking spaces: not related
width of openings: related
floor area ratio limits: not related
unbundling parking from unit: related
bicycle parking: related
carshare parking: related
porte cocheres: related
sidewalk: not related
commercial parking: not related
The following resolution was then approved:
Residential Parking Reform for Downtown (C3 Legislation)
Whereas, it is the policy of the City and County of San Francisco to increase safe bicycle use, refine and expand the bicycle route network, adopt bike-friendly practices and policies, and promote safe bicycling and,
Whereas, Supervisor Daly has introduced legislation pertaining to Off-Street Parking in C-3 Zoning Districts,
Whereas, the legislation proposes Maximum allowed parking for dwellings shall be 0.75 spaces per unit, 0.25 per unit as of right; conditional use required for up to 0.75,
Whereas, the legislation proposes Width of parking and loading openings shall be limited to 11 feet per lane for garages and 15 feet per lane for loading,
Whereas, the legislation proposes Parking shall be rented and sold separately from residential units in projects of 10 units or more in C-3,
Whereas, the legislation proposes bicycle parking shall be required such that 1 space exists per 2 units for projects up to 50 units, and 1 space exists per 4 units for projects with more than 50 units,
Whereas, the legislation proposes 1 carshare space shall be required for projects above 50 units to 200 units and 1 additional space required for every 200 additional units,
Whereas, the San Francisco Bicycle Advisory Committee believes the legislation will result in safer bicycling and promote further bicycle use in San Francisco,
Be it resolved that the San Francisco Bicycle Advisory Committee urges the San Francisco Board of Supervisors to pass legislation introduced by Supervisor Daly for Residential Parking Reform in Zone C-3,
Be it further resolved that the San Francisco Bicycle Advisory Committee urges the deployment of required bicycle parking spaces and carshare spaces not only in zone C-3, but Citywide.
Submitted by: Hitesh Soneji, District 6, BAC
January 19, 2006
7. Reports on the Bike Plan
a. MTA Report
Rufus Davis asked how the Bicycle Program is funded. Peter Tannen explained they are not funded through the general fund, as they rely on projects and grants.
Jerry Ervin asked about 14th St. bulb-out at Market. There will be a trial period where the bulb-out will be shaved back and possibly greened. This has been framed as a trial period mainly due to some neighborhood opposition. Jerry Ervin wanted to know when the trial period when be up.
Rufus Davis asked about Townsend street. There is funding for bike lanes in both directions between 4th St. and 8th St., but the concern is over having less parking.
Bert Hill: A.7. Sloat: What about a crossing at 20th St.? After discussion, it was not clear whether this already in part of the policy framework.
Bert Hill: A.8. Market: The sharrows may be too widely placed in plan. Furthermore, there is concern that they may be too restrictive, not encouraging bicyclists to travel in the transit lane when appropriate. Andy Thornley (SFBC) gave some context that the current state guidelines for sharrows only allow them to be used where there is parallel parking. Caltrans did not want the ongoing maintenance of painting them on state highways.
Bert Hill: A.9. Market: The lane would be wonderful, and 12th St. would be a place to consider putting a bike signal due to conflict with pedestrians.
Bert Hill: A.10. Wiggle: needs wiggle signs or denser route signs
Bert Hill: B.1. Racks: look into allowing bike parking in from of residential apartment buildings, currently only commercial. You no longer need an encroachment permit to put in a bicycle rack on the sidewalk.
Bert Hill: C.3. Helmets: recommend giving away universal helmet instead of difficult-to-fit bicycle helmet.
Bert Hill: C.6. Youth Safety: should be taught only by certified instructor.
Bert Hill: D.2. Bikes on LRVs: operations has reservations, and the previous acting MTA executive director did not allow it. Andy Thornley (SFBC) reminds everyone that the BAC has a standing resolution recommending bikes be allowed on light rail. This could be presented again to the MTA meeting.
Bert Hill: D.5. tangent: check status on 7th Avenue sharrows again.
Public Comment: Andy Thornley (SFBC): There is an SFBC committee work not only on Townsend bike lanes but also the sidewalks. He seconds the denser application of sharrows on Market. A.10. The Wiggle may be better if the tracks at Church and Duboce are removed, a long-term project.
b. SFBC Report: none.
10. Adjournment
