Change in NOPA: September Update

BIKE NOPA covered a lot of biking and livability territory in July and August. Let's see where things stand with some of the previous posts:

NOPA Play Blocks were a conjecture back in early July. One small step for play blocks: Sunday, Sept. 27 BIKE THE BLOCK opens Grove Street between Lyon and Baker from 10 am to 1pm. Playing in the street not limited to kids.

NOPA green businessman and bicyclist, J.P. Collins is on a roll. Following his profile here, JP now appears in the current issue of momentum, the magazine for self-propelled people. JP, a graphic designer, illustrated the article which delves into how much he and his wife Lizbit Bailey continue to "green their lifestyle."

CPMC Davies Bike Parking: The engineering department of Davies responded to requests from medical center users and is about to install new bike racks. The outdated and unused section of bike parking has now been removed. Expect new racks for ten more bicycles within three weeks.

The Dying Turk Street Trees: DPW's Bureau of Urban Forestry responded to our post, and a representative stated that an arborist was dealing with the problem of the contractor planting the trees without a plan to water them. The recent cuts in DPW's landscaping and tree care staff makes the problem more challenging, but the need remains.

NOPA's Grafitti Watch: Doug Diboll continues monitoring much of the neighborhood for tagging and trash. His job -- and OUR job -- becomes more important as the city tries to keep pace with grafitti control, which is a major drain on the DPW budget. Report tagging to 311, cover the tags using methods outlined by DPW, and help keep the streets and sidewalks clean.

Those freeway-style standards intended for digital traffic management messages: still hulking from the sidewalks, but find out what SFgo reps have to say about these "traffic calming" installments on Oak and Fell streets at the next NOPNA meeting: Thursday, Sept. 17, Poleng Lounge, 1751 Fulton near Masonic, 7pm meet and greet, 7:30 pm meeting. Say hello to the Alamo Square neighbors who will be joining us for this issue of mutual concern.

We have a very fond spot for Beth Byrne, the graphic designer who gave BIKE NOPA window signs their distinct look. Then she went even further and designed the BIKE THE BLOCK party poster gratis and her company picked up the tab for copies. Beth has many fans, including the already mentioned magazine momentum which wisely profiles her as "The Lunch Hour Bike Advocate" in its current issue. Beth lavishes much of her free time on bike improvements in the city as part of her volunteering with the SF Bicycle Coalition.

No matter how much we welcomed new NOPA resident and SF Bike Coalition staffer, Marc Caswell, to the neighborhood, he still must face the afternoon headwinds on the uphill climb of McAllister Street at the end of the day. Sorry, Marc, some things don't change.

Welcome to NOPA: Marc Caswell

Marc Caswell probably has boring and dispirited days, but you'd never know it. He has the kind of kinetic energy and infectious enthusiasm that makes you order thick, intense Turkish coffee to keep up with him. That's what I did when we stopped at NOPA's newest restaurant, Jannah, on Fulton Street.

Marc moved to NOPA earlier this month, and he's thrilled to be here (with a few reservations).* He was drawn by the chance to live with friends in "a gorgeous and pretty-cheap- for- San Francisco house" on Masonic. Now that he's settled in a new home base, he continues to play bike polo two nights a week, and carve the rest of his time into "20% for progressive politics and 8o% for bikes."

Marc spent his boyhood in Hollywood, Florida, a suburb of Fort Lauderdale. After he

earned a BA in Sociology of Religion from the University of Florida, he knocked on doors for the John Kerry presidential campaign and got involved with Working America, "a community affiliate of the AFL-CIO." He took a position with a Florida state legislator and focused on health care and education. But by June 2006, he was ready for a change.

Ask Marc why he moved to San Francisco, and you hear what so many of us have said, "Because it's San Francisco!" He visited here twice during college and was sold on the city as "a young, fun place." "We live here to be part of a city and a community," he added. He first worked with Urban Habitat, a social and environmental justice organization, to help with programming and media planning. He also became a member of the San Francisco Bicycle Coalition (SFBC), an organization he admired for its community work and committment to a more livable city.

In September 2008, the SFBC hired Marc for "the perfect hybrid job," as Program Manager. "I get to be involved in legislative issues and advocacy, transportation and sustainability, community organizing and event planning." He describes this piled-on job description with a big grin like he can hardly wait to get back on the job.

What's the best part of working for the SFBC? "The people I meet; their dedication. And the appreciation so many members express for what I do. The job gives me the chance to make things better, to help build a better city."

Anything surprise him about the job? "We're an advocacy organization, but our relationship with the city is much more collaborative than I imagined. We're not in an adversary position very often, and when we are it's in the context of working together overall."

What's new with SFBC? "We've focused on streetscape improvements through helping develop the bike plan and then pushing to get new bike lanes approved. Now we can shift and diversify our efforts to improve bicycling education, bike safety, and building the base of new cyclists."

Many of today's cyclists are "Kamikaze bikers," according to Marc. "They're going to bike no matter what the conditions are." He's pumped about reaching beyond this core constituency and encouraging more people to start cycling. He notes, "So many people say 'I would cycle if' and then mention their wish for more and safer bike lanes, smoother pavement, and improvements like bike parking. SFBC topped the 10,000 member total last year. Marc says the goal now is to add another 1,000 by making biking better and safer in the city and then keep attracting more.

What does a dedicated cyclist like Marc miss about driving? "When I was driving, I often felt solitary, alienated, and unconnected to the community, but I loved listening to NPR while on the road." That drawback aside, Marc bikes to be outdoors, to stay healthy, and to hear the sounds of the city and feel a part of it. "It's like going to a soccer game or watching it on TV. Bicycling allows you to be part of the living, breathing city instead of passively watching it."

An advocate for a more livable NOPA. Marc is eager to be an active neighbor, working with NOPNA, pushing to get street improvements for a safer Masonic Avenue and bike lanes for McAllister. (Both projects were held back for more study and not approved in the recent group of bike improvements adopted by the Municipal Transportation Authority and the Board of Supervisors). And progressive politics in District 5? He'll be on it.

*Marc's only reservations about living in NOPA? The afternoon head winds, especially if he bikes home on McAllister from the SFBC office on Market Street. And he regrets he won't be able to vote in 2010 for a new supervisor in District 8, his old digs. (No slight to our own Ross Mirkarimi; he's in for 3+ more years). Marc's already got a favorite in the D8 race.

Say hello to Marc and ask him about progressive politics or anything to do with bicycling, better streets, and living in San Francisco. Just have a strong cup of coffee close by.