Bicyclist/Motorist Crash Sunday at Fulton and Arguello Streets

A bicyclist and motorist crashed Sunday afternoon at Arguello and Fulton Streets, according to a cyclist who stopped at the scene shortly after the collision. The cyclist, believed to be a man, was already in an ambulance when Matthew Brill arrived at the intersection. There were two police cars and a fire truck also at the site. The cyclist's bike was placed on the fire truck. Brill relayed to BIKE NOPA what else he observed and heard in an email this afternoon.

"The accident was around 2:45 PM. There were two cars involved, but only one appeared to have hit the cyclist, based upon conversation I overheard of the two involved motorists. The vehicle was a small to medium-sized sport utility. I did not see much visual damage on the vehicle."

Although Brill did not see the collision, he suspects -- based on the placement of the vehicles -- that the motorist who hit the cyclist was driving south on Arguello and turning left on Fulton. Brill notes that motorists likely do not expect any "vehicles" to be exiting Golden Gate Park onto Arguello since the barriers were up and blocking vehicle access during the Sunday closure of the park to traffic. He also notes that cyclists often fly through the intersection, coming out of the park, when they have the green light and the right-of-way to proceed north on Arguello. "I am thinking this intersection might need some signage to alert motorists of oncoming traffic, especially on Sunday Street closure days," Brill added.

BIKE NOPA is seeking more information about the collision and the condition of the cyclist from SFPD and will provide an update as soon as possible.

11 pm update: The cyclist was released from the hospital "banged up but alive" in his words.

Women Who Bike: Rose Johnson

Rose Johnson: another day of biking

Women Who BIKE!: Rose (2nd from left)

Photos by Rose

Women Who Bike is a collaborative effort by BIKE NOPA and Bikes And The City that features San Francisco women and their bicycles. Each Monday and Wednesday check both blogs for the experiences, stories, and ideas that women who bike the city want to share with you.

What's your style of biking?

Efficient. Depending on my mood, how late I am, and my energy level, I choose routes that accommodate my needs. On a sunny day there is nothing I love more than a cruise down the Wiggle. When I am tired, I avoid the hills and enjoy the granny gear. On a sunny Saturday morning the Sausalito hill is nothing. But most of the time, I bike standing up.

How often do you bike and what for?

I ride my bike everyday, almost everywhere I go. I bike because I can and because I believe in alternative forms of transportation, a low-cost life style, and participation. My bicycle is not only my main form of sustainable travel, but it is also my load wagon. I like to see how much stuff I can fit on the back. By using busted tubes creatively, I am able to carry all of my supplies for my small bike-powered business, Apothocurious, my camping gear for bike tours, and for my bike-less friends.

What can San Francisco do to encourage more women, including teens and younger, to bike?

I think with proper education to EVERYONE (cyclists, car drivers, and youth) we can share the road safely and enjoyably. When we prove that "it can be done," we empower everyone in being able to live a low-cost, low-impact, and low-stress life style.

I think when someone is able to experience bicycling around the city in a safe, fun, and supported environment, within a few rides they are hip to the ease, the possibility, and the new-found freedom that comes with bicycles.

On Tuesdays and Thursdays I lead an all-girl bike club at Hoover Middle School. The group is not a place without boys, but a place where females can express their uniquely feminine experiences without judgment of misunderstanding. They can ride slow, walk up hills, or ask questions that might otherwise have have overlooked or unheard in a bike club comprised mostly of boys. The group is unique in the way that the pace is more calm, the leadership is fluid, and, when I look back to check on the riders behind me, every rider is doing exactly what she should should be: riding safely.

What's one of your best times bicycling?

I live on my bicycle, and most of my friends do too! So much is shared, experienced, and grown when we travel together. For the past three years I have trained for the AIDS Life Cycle ride. I have only ridden once, but the training is what is special to me. Year One, my friend Nicole convinced me to jump on for an 80 mile trip to Occidental. This was when I was first getting into long distance cycling, and the feeling of accomplishment I got at the end of that trip was enough to know it was true love. Year Two I decided to do the ride, and I convinced my two besties to join me. It was the greatest thing to spend a Saturday riding 80 miles, catching up, preparing and appreciating each other. This two more besties have decided to do the ride. Watching them preparing, helping fundraise, and riding the Headlands has been full of so much beautiful quality time.

I surprise people when I bike when ...

I'm in my yellow vest with ten kids in tow.

My message to women who want to try biking:

We can do it!

Rose lives in NOPA and, as she says, "I heart the Panhandle...so hard."

*****

For more great stories, take a look at these previous Women Who Bike posts:

And stop by Bikes And The City every Monday and Wednesday for Meli's Women Who Bike. (Treat yourself and visit her site every day!)

If you or someone you know might like to join this series, please ask them to contact me at Michael7820@gmail.com

Murals of NOPA: Bold Touch at the Laundry

You can't miss the mural at the corner of Lyon and McAllister. On the Lyon Street exterior of the neighborhood laundry "Get the Funk Out," this eerie visual evokes, for me, an Almodovar homage amid free-form graffiti script and an octoman I don't want to encounter on a dark street.

Other posts in the Murals of NOPA series.

Devastated Muni Stop Replaced at Hayes & Baker

Road-rage motorist destroyed Muni stop at Hayes & Baker. Photo: Tom O'Connell

New structure now in place. Photo: Michael Helquist

A motorist overcome with self-indulgent, destructive road rage wiped out a Muni bus stop at Hayes and Baker the end of last month. More importantly, he seriously injured a visitor to San Francisco who was waiting for the 21 Hayes to arrive. Muni cleared the smashed structure, the city swept the glass from the sidewalk and street, and today a new stop is in place. Almost as if nothing had happened. But the real physical and psychological pain, the slow-healing, the life-disruption and the expense for the injured tourist continue out of our view.

Women Who Bike: Dawn D'Onofrio

Sunday Streets: Bayview...sunny day for Dawn and Smoky

Energized at Bike to Work Day Station; Smoky's All Powered Up

Dawn ready for the NOPA VELO "Climb Every Mountain" ride with Smoky in basket

Women Who Bike is a collaborative effort by BIKE NOPA and Bikes And The City that features San Francisco women and their bicycles. Each Monday and Wednesday check both blogs for the experiences, stories, and ideas that women who bike the city want to share.

Sixth in a series: Dawn D'Onofrio

How do you characterize your bicycling style?

I would have to say "respectful." So many people complain about cars, cyclists, and pedestrians -- but I'm sure we are all a little guilty of some infraction. As cyclists we are in some middle ground and many take that as the right to have our own set of rules - or not have to abide by "others." But being a cyclist, I can't complain about cars running stop signs or red lights if I do the same. So I try not to. It's really scary when another cyclists zips through an intersection as I am turning or a pedestrian runs in front of me. I try to be cautious and aware, but mostly I just try to respect the right we all have to a piece of the road, and hope that by doing my part I make it a little easier for all to coexist.

How often do you bike and what for?

I sold my car before I moved here 2+ years ago, so biking is about it for everything. Although at times, I really do enjoy the walk and adverse weather forces me onto public transportation.

What could be done in San Francisco to encourage more women to bike?

I think it's being done. More bike shops are offering women's nights for simple maintenance, better fitting, lighter women's bikes, better looking fashion and accessories. We tote around a lot more stuff than guys, and we need a good way to take it with us other than a huge messenger bag.

Have any great dates or friendships started with bicycling?

I hadn't ridden a bike for over eight years after a van hit me while I was riding. One guy I met became a good friend, and he took me out to pick out a new bike. His philosophy was "just do it" (I think I have heard that somewhere before!). He was fairly new to the area, and he didn't know anyone else as into bikes as I was. We became super bike buddies and went riding almost every day after work. He showed me a lot on mechanics and maintenance. In about six months I was back to speed and we were doing century rides. I bought a mountain bike and fell in love with the sport. There was an awesome place near my house we hit on the weekends. Soon others started joining and the encouragement spread from one to another. One guy lost about 50 pounds and another quit some unhealthy habits. The funniest part was at first one guy was intimidated about joining the group because he didn't want a girl riding better than him! I could do all the hills and trails without a slip! It was a great couple of years with some really great and special friends. Since moving to SF, almost everyone I know I met through cycling and most of my social activities revolve around it.

I surprise people when I bike by ...

riding in 3-inch heels, and with my dog.

My message to women who want to start biking:

Why not?Look good, feel good. What's more appealing than that? And it's fun.

*****

Dawn lives in NOPA on Broderick at Fulton. She bikes with NOPA VELO and so does her dog Smokey.

Check out the previous posts in this series.

For even more stories, see Bikes And The City's Women Who Bike.

If you or someone you know would like to be part of this series, please contact me at Michael7820@gmail.com

And the Fix Goes On: Plate Returns to Haight & Scott Corner of Wiggle

Construction plates finally removed at Haight & Scott on May 4th

But the May 4th work left sunken SFWD covers, a different hazard

Now a different plate is lodged at the intersection, better wedged with asphalt this time

And the plate surface is non-skid as all plates in the city are required to be

Cyclists relieved to no longer have to dodge or bump over the risky, badly positioned construction plates at Haight and Scott streets now find another plate in the exact same position. What's going on here?

As previously reported, cyclists complained to the city and to the San Francisco Bicycle Coalition about the original plates that seemed abandoned at the northeast corner, right along the Wiggle bike route. SFBC urged the city to fix the defect, and the city responded. On May 4th workers for the SF Water Department jackhammered the area, applied new asphalt, and smoothed everything over. Except they left submerged, below-grade SFWD utility covers, a different hazard for cyclists.

The end of last week SFBC pointed out the latest problem to the Department of Public Works. Perhaps with that intervention -- or maybe by coincidence -- the below-grade manhole covers were gone by Monday. Instead, one very large plate covers much of the fix-on-fix area. At least this plate has a skid-resistant covering and is better ramped along the sides with asphalt. Nearby construction signs indicate SFWD will be working at the site from May 19th to 28th. Maybe then this part of the Wiggle will have received its last makeover.

Women Who Bike: Kay Hoskins

"At the Palace of Fine Arts, a stop on the Valentine's Day ride I led."

"Breaking in the cup holder with hibiscus juice from a street vendor at Sunday Streets in the Mission."

"How I combine my two greatest passions: biking and dog rescue."

BIKE NOPA and Bikes And The City spin out more stories this week in our new collaborative series, Women Who Bike. Each Monday and Wednesday we will feature San Francisco women and their bicycles. Check both our blogs for the experiences, stories, and ideas that women who bike the city want to share with you. Post your thoughts and leave comments for the featured riders.

Fifth in a series: Kay Hoskins

How do you characterize your bicycling style?

Mostly law-abiding and cautious but also defensive. I try to anticipate that car about to cut me off or that door about to open into me. Luckily, I haven't wiped out on my bike seriously and not in many years. I hope that's due to my cautious riding style.

How often do you bike and what for?

I pretty much ride my bike every day weekdays for work and on some evenings and the weekend for fun rides.

What could be done in San Francisco to encourage more women, including teens and younger, to bike?

Most of the women I know who don't already bike in San Francisco are afraid to start. And I think they're a bit intimidated by the hills. Once the bike network is completed, I think we will see even more women out there. High schools in the city need to have programs to teach urban biking skills. I know that might be unrealistic right now given that so many programs are being cut.

Have any of your best dates or friendships started with bicycling?

My current boyfriend Liam and I met at SFBC volunteer nights and we "got together" on a bike camping trip.

I surprise people when I bike by...

singing out very loud.

My message to women who want to try biking:

Find a mentor and get out there! Start with Sunday Streets and bike in Golden Gate Park on Sundays; then have an experienced friend show you the "wiggle routes" around town to avoid the hills. The SFBC map is an amazing tool as well.

*****

Kay lives near NOPA; she biked NOPA VELO's Dead Presidents ride in April.

See previous profiles in the BIKE NOPA WOMEN WHO BIKE series. And find even more at Bikes And The City.