She Knows Danger When She Sees It: SFBC's "Turn 'Em In" Saga Surges

Last week's heroic entry

She knows her street hazards!

San Francisco bicyclists know what to do when they see nasty, dangerous potholes, cracks, and trenches in the bikeways: TURN 'EM IN . Call 311, tell the operator the hole is a hazard for cyclists, and that you're reporting it as part of the San Francisco Bicycle Coalition's campaign. Provide an address or intersection where the defect is located. It's as simple as that. One call and you can make city streets safer for yourself and everyone else.

For the month of April, SFBC is encouraging all members and all other cyclists to Turn Em 'In as part of a springtime campaign for safer cycling. Everyone is getting in on the action. The SFBC staff and board have committed to reporting potholes on their daily commutes, the Good Roads monthly riders are doing their part, Streetsblog is buzzed about the campaign, and 311 ops are busy taking the calls.

This morning I turned another one in. Actually there were three holes with chunks of pavement missing on Golden Gate Avenue just east of Divisadero. The grand slalom ride down the hill from Broderick isn't my usual route -- the more moderate McAllister grade works just fine for me, thanks* -- but I know several cyclists who swoosh all the way to Franklin with the momentum they get from this slope.

Decide today to stop dodging the same potholes. Turn 'Em In. Call 311.

* Cyclists take care: Today there's a wide utility trench across McAllister at Divisadero. A big wide cut in that recently laid smooth asphalt expanse. This isn't supposed to happen, and we've contacted DPW about it. 2pm Update: DPW Public Affairs advised that the trench is a corrective measure that the department required of the contractor. It's unfortunate, but it happens. The trench will be repaved tomorrow.

"There's A Giant Hole in the Street": SF Bike Coalition Launches "Turn 'Em In" Campaign

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The San Francisco Bicycle Coalition believes cyclists are buzzed about too many cool events this year to tolerate bikeways that are pitted, cracked, bumpy and dangerous. Sunday Streets, new bike lanes, bike corrals, parklets, bike sharrows, protected lanes on Market Street -- it's all happening or expected in a few months. No one wants nasty potholes to ruin the fun, so today SFBC launched a month-long campaign to challenge all 11,500 of its members to "Turn 'Em In."

In today's announcement, SFBC urged cyclists to "be their own hero of the bike lane":

"Is there a pothole you pass every day on your bike ride in to work? Do you dodge a rough spot in the road every trip to the grocery store? The time is now to pull over, get out your phone, and call 311 to report that hazard using the "SFBC" tag."

To inspire all cyclists, SFBC partnered with Family Style artists Jonas Madden-Connor and Francois Vigneault "to show just how easy it is for you to get the smooth ride you deserve." Every Tuesday morning a new installation will appear on the SFBC Good Roads Campaign website and several other sites (including BIKE NOPA). Be sure to check back to find out: "What will happen to our bicycling heroine? Will the hero be able to save her bike lane?"

Email Neal at SFBC if you have any questions, and join the superhero action by reporting the hazards to 311 now. Don't forget to say that "SFBC" sent you!