Write the Letter, Make the Difference for Better Biking on Fell and Oak

One block of green-striped bike lane is not enough -- not when cyclists of all ages are inches away from motorists often traveling 30-45mph. We can all make cycling safer on Fell and Oak with separated bike lanes that benefit the whole neighborhood as traffic calming measures.

The SFMTA, the SF Bicycle Coalition, NOPNA, ASNA and other community groups have weighed in on the importance of safer cycling between the Wiggle bike route and the Panhandle. Changes to the current configuration of traffic for all users will be necessary, but safety and the city's commitment to alternative transportation must become priorities.

Please take a few minutes and jot a few thoughts in support of a safer bikeway along Fell and Oak between Scott and Baker -- three blocks that can give a huge boost to safety and livability in the city. Send you message to the Mayor and SFMTA Director Ed Reiskin. Urge them to follow-through on his commitment to safer biking for San Francisco with real, specific actions. Get a few tips about your letter here.

Add your experiences with biking this routes, and why changes are needed. Urge Director Reiskin and his staff to not get overly sidetracked by the resistance from a few about possible parking removal.

Add your voice today: SFMTA is close to closing public input for this phase of the planning process. Send your message and help improve biking conditions along this essential route.

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.

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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.