"A Clear Case of the Bicyclist At Fault": SFPD on Recent Masonic/Fell Collision

The bicyclist was riding a red Cannondale fixie. Photo: Jim Herd

The motorist was driving a Ford Focus XZW station wagon. Photo: Jim Herd

The bicyclist injured in a collision with a motorist at Fell and Masonic Streets last week was travelling against the light and without the right of way, according to a police report filed by the SFPD officer who inspected the scene and spoke with witnesses. "This was a clear case of the bicyclist at fault," Lt. Lawrence Ramlan of SFPD Park Station told BIKE NOPA in a telephone conversation early this morning.

Ramlan was not at the scene nor did he file the report, but he reviewed the account that has since been filed with the Traffic Division for possible investigation. "The bicyclist was travelling westbound on Fell Street in the left-side traffic lane," Ramlan said. "He then made an abrupt left turn from Fell onto the northbound lanes of Masonic; he didn't turn with the light." According to Ramlan, the officer who filed the report obtained testimony from a number of "uninvolved witnesses" who indicated that the collision resulted from the cyclist's turning against the light. The injured cyclist's brother who was biking nearby corroborated this account, according to Ramlan. The lieutenant did not say whether any other uninvolved witnesses reported a different set of circumstances.

During the brief conversation this morning, Lt. Ramlan added that the cyclist was also riding a fixed speed bike with limited means of braking. When BIKE NOPA inquired if use of a "fixie" was a factor in determining responsibility for a collision, Ramlan replied, "If you don't have any brakes or means of stopping, then it becomes an issue." He added, "For anyone who uses the road -- whether a motorist, bicyclist, or pedestrian -- if you don't have the means to control your speed adequately, there can be a problem."

Ramlan stated that there has not been a determination of whether the cyclist will receive a citation. "The matter is with Traffic now." Asked about the bicyclist's condition, the lieutenant said he had been unable to obtain that information. The rest of the details about the cyclist and the driver was in the police report, he added. Ramlan then ended the conversation, explaining that officers at the station were very busy that morning with the Bay to Breakers race about to begin. An earlier report in the San Francisco Examiner indicated that the bicyclist was in his early twenties, that his injuries were minor, and that the driver stopped at the scene. Where the collision occurred and when in the signal period it happened are factors presumably included in the police report that has yet to be released to the public. The first report of Friday's collision appeared in the blog San Francisco Citizen.

When BIKE NOPA tracked the outcome of a February 14th collision involving a taxi driver and a bicyclist at Fell and Masonic, we found what appeared to be a lack of clarity and transparency in the handling of non-fatal traffic collisions. The officer at the scene of that incident told BIKE NOPA that his job was to collect the facts, including witnesses' testimony, but not to recommend whether a citation should be issued to either party. His responsibility he said was to file the incident report with the Traffic Division for investigation and determination about citations. Yet an officer at Traffic explained that the unit is so overwhelmed with the daily number of traffic incidents and reports, that they usually do not investigate a case or issue a citation unless the reporting officer suggests it. If that's the rule-of-thumb, then the reporting officer who believes it is not his duty to recommend a citation guarantees that neither a citation or further investigation will occur. In the February 14th case the officer at the scene determined there were conflicting statements among the witnesses, although an uninvolved witness clearly stated that the bicyclist was using the crosswalk during the green right-of-way period. No citation was issued.

*The earlier BIKE NOPA story about this collision, filed May 14th, stated in its sub- headline that the driver hit the cyclist. A more accurate reflection of events and an account more in line with the circumstances stated today by Lt. Ramlan indicate a better choice would have been to have used only the headline: "Another collision at Fell and Masonic."

NOPA Greets Bay to Breakers Sprinters

An unusual sight: Fell Street open for fun and partying

The first men to reach NOPA

Kids waiting for their contingent along Fell Street

Maid races AND cleans

Minute men or uh briefed men?

Coffee-toting NOPA neighbors gathered along Fell Street at 8 am Sunday morning to cheer the first Bay to Breakers runners. Before the contestants appeared, several residents commented on the unique opportunity to see Fell Street clear of traffic. Within minutes the first two women sped past and continued along the Panhandle, followed by the first two men.

At the start of the race, mostly earnest runners packed the front with little trace of a costume. After another fifteen minutes, however, a few Supermen and Wonder Women along with men in their white underwear and women in their pink Baby Dolls matched the pace. A group of early teens cheered when "the first naked man" ambled along.

Within an hour the party crowds grouped together, six packs replacing the coffee mugs. The annual "especially-in-San Francisco" festivities were underway.

North Panhandle Parties In The Street All Day

A bit chilly, windy May weather never keeps North Panhandle neighbors from partying together. Today the annual springtime block party hosted by the North Panhandle Neighborhood Association (NOPNA) rocked the block of Lyon Street between Hayes and Grove from mid-morning to early evening.

Several hundred neighbors and friends spent the day enjoying the kids' events and the grown-ups' bands along with a Taekwondo demonstration, face painting, and a kids' sing-a-long. Civic groups, service organizations, and commercial sponsors* highlighted their programs, and BIKE NOPA hosted an all-bicycle table with NOPA VELO and the San Francisco Bicycle Coalition. All through the day treats kept coming from coffee and pastries provided by Central Coffee and Tea, BBQ prepped just right by Parkside Market, paletas from Nopalito and prime Kung Fu Tacos. At mid-afternoon, Panhandle Park Stewards organizer, Dale Danley, led a Tour of Trees throughout the east-end of the Panhandle.

After a long day of partying, meeting new neighbors, and seeing old friends, let's let the photos tell the rest of the story. Thanks NOPNA for a great day!

*Sponsors and presenters included Bonnie Spindler Real Estate, Merrill Lynch, the Independent, Mollie Poe/Zephyr Realty, Madrone Lounge, nopa little ones, Parkside Market, Central Coffee, Falletti's, Ziryab, BIKE NOPA, Nopalito, Yerba Buena Accupuncture, Sunshine Cleaners, NERT, Panhandle Park Stewards, and St. Cyprian's Episcopal Church, Brahma Kumaris Meditation Center.

Another Collision at Fell and Masonic: Driver Hits Bicyclist

Small Ford Focus XZW station wagon involved in this afternoon's crash. Photo: Jim Herd

Bicyclist's red Cannondale fixie with fork snapped in two. Photo: Jim Herd

Damage to vehicle suggests greater speed than usually scene for a left turn onto Masonic. Photo Jim Herd

Early this afternoon a driver struck a cyclist at the troubled Fell and Masonic intersection. Information about the collision and the extent of injuries to the cyclist is limited, but SFPD has told Streetsblog that the cyclist's injuries were not life-threatening and medics found him breathing and conscious. Jim Herd happened upon the scene at about 1 pm today and took photos that he published on his blog SFCitizen and sent to BIKE NOPA. The photos show the cyclist's Cannondale fixed-gear bike had snapped in two.

SFPD Park Station Captain Teresa Barrett makes it a practice to keep Panhandle neighbors up-to-date about traffic problems and injuries at the Fell and Masonic intersection, but she has been out of the office this week and will not return until Monday. As reported regularly here, Barrett has stepped-up enforcement of traffic problems at the intersection. Since the middle of February of this year, officers have issued more than 80 citations for traffic infractions at Fell and Masonic including illegal left turns from Fell to Masonic and illegal intrusions that threaten pedestrians in the crosswalk.

Before today's incident, the most recent case of a driver striking a bicyclist at Fell and Masonic occurred on February 13th. Injuries required the cyclist to seek medical care at a local hospital. At that time two independent witnesses stated that the cyclist was clearly using the crosswalk with the right-of-way during a green light period. However, the Park Station officer on the scene reported that the driver and passenger asserted they had the right of way for the turn, and no citation was issued by SFPD.

Today's injury accident occurred just one day after San Francisco bicyclists celebrated Bike to Work Day and especially the safer bicycling conditions on Market Street with the newly installed soft hit posts and green-painted bike lanes. FixMasonic, SFBC, and NOPNA have worked for years to increase the safety of the mixed-use Panhandle Park path and the crosswalk at Fell and Masonic. One of the achievements was the installation of a bike light to alert cyclists and motorists of the right-of-way period for bikers crossing Masonic. While the majority of motorists observe the signal lights, a high number continue to make illegal turns at the intersection and run red lights for the north-south traffic on Masonic.

NOPNA Knows Block Parties: Rock Lyon Street This Saturday

The North of the Panhandle Neighborhood Association (NOPNA) takes seriously its rep around town for making good things happen. The organization has long understood that advocacy for neighborhood improvement always comes down to making solid connections among the people it serves. Tomorrow NOPNA helps make it all fun with its springtime Block Party for neighbors and friends. Check out upcoming neighborhood events at the NOPNA table. If you're not a member, now's the time to sign up and support the good things.

From 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. kick back, dance in the street, enjoy the five live bands, watch the kids play in the street, feast on BBQ and specialty tacos, learn all about community groups, and find out what's new with neighbors. Lyon Street from Hayes to Grove, open for fun.

Kids activities 11am to noon; bands and DJs start at noon and continue till 6. BBQ at noon; Kung Fu Tacos 1-3 pm.

Be sure to stop by the All Things Bicycle table for the latest news on BIKE NOPA, the NOPA VELO neighborhood rides, new programs at the San Francisco Bicycle Coalition (SFBC). Get free bike stickers, purchase framed NOPA VELO posters, pick up a BIKE NOPA window sign.

Special Offer for NOPNA Block Party: $10 discount on SFBC membership. With the discount, join SFBC for $25 and support all the bike and livability activities of the city's premiere bicycling group. As an SFBC member, you get discounts at bike shops, cafes, restaurants, and grocery stores all over San Francisco. NOPA VELO riders: you'll need a SFBC membership to join the special June 27th ride when NOPA VELO spins up Market Street with the SFBC contingent in the annual Gay Lesbian Bisexual Transgender Pride Parade.

Sunday all San Francisco runs through NOPA for Bay to Breakers. Saturday is just for us and our friends. See you at the block party.

Streetsfilms Captures Bike to Work Day

Relive some of the fun or get an extended look at what caused all the street buzz yesterday during the 2010 Bike to Work Day. Congratulations to all the first-time cyclists who chose to get to the job by bike yesterday. A salute to film producers John Hamilton and Bryan Goebel!

If you haven't dropped in on Streetsfilms before, be sure to check out this visual treasure trove. There's an incredible mix of stories from all over the country about new ways to use our public spaces. Additional print-and-pics coverage of the big day in San Francisco here and throughout the Bay Area here.

Bike to Work Day 2010: Scenes from One Busy Energizer Station

Several hundred cyclists stopped at SFBC Energizer Station at 12th & Market

Mayor Newsom signed petition (line 5) to ... um .. himself

Hundreds of cyclists celebrated Bike to Work Day 2010 this morning at one of the busiest SFBC Energizer Stations in the city. Within an hour after opening, the 12th and Market Street outpost distributed several hundred gift bags, served coffee, fruit and pastries to commuting bikers, and encouraged at least sixty pedalers to sign up as new or renewing members of the San Francisco Bicycle Coalition. Each new member received one of this year's BTWD T-shirts.

Cyclists also signed petitions in support of a better Market Street, one that includes a fully separated bikeway from Octavia Street to the Embarcadero. Robin Levitt, Engergizer Station Captain, told BIKE NOPA he was thrilled to see all the cyclists and to get so much support for an even more bike-friendly Market Street. He also pointed out one notable petition signature, that of Mayor Gavin Newsom. The petitions will later be sent to the address Newsom listed for himself: City Hall The Mayor stopped by the Market Street station for a photo opp after swooping past earlier with his bicycle convoy. Supervisors Eric Mar, Bevan Dufty, and John Avalos, and Department of Public Works Director Ed Reiskin also stopped to greet the volunteers as part of their own bike convoys on the way to a City Hall press conference.

Volunteers greeted cyclists at 17 Energizer Stations this morning. At the end of the work day, from 5 - 7pm, cyclists will find similar stations full of gift bags, T shirts, and refreshments throughout the city. An after party with bike fashions rocks from 6 - 10 pm tonight at Rickshaw Stop, 155 Fell Street to close out the biggest day of bicycling in San Francisco.

5pm Update: No wonder the bike bags, T shirts, coffee and pastries went so fast this morning on Market Street. Bicyclists represented 75% of all roadway traffic during the morning commute, according to the Municipal Transportation Agency. And everyone was buzzing about the huge difference the dedicated bike lane with soft-hit posts and new green painted lane made for cyclists' sense of safety. Read more here on SFGate's new transportation blog -- with content provided by SFBC and Streetsblog. You'll notice in the photo accompanying the story that "BIKE NOPA" joined the action this morning.