Speed Limit for Bikers on the Golden Gate Bridge

The Plan

In the past couple of weeks, there has been a lot of talk about how officials with the Golden Gate Bridge District are planning on imposing a biking speed limit of 10 mph on the regular path and to 5 mph near the towers. Highway patrol will be using radar guns to monitor passing cyclists' speed. Violators will be fined $100.

GGB spokeswoman Mary Currie told the Chronicle that this plan is to prevent bike and pedestrian accidents that are, according to GGB officials, commonplace on the bridge. A study showed that in the past ten years, there has been a total of 164 accidents, 39% of which involved excessive speeding. The solo bike crash happened 5 times more often than collisions between bikes and pedestrians.

The GGB's Board of Directors will vote on the approval of this new project on May 13th. If it's approved, the limit would most likely be in effect by the end of the summer.

Cyclists' Criticisms

So far, the response has been generally negative. Hunter Ziesing of local cycling group ZTeam calls the plan a "smart" idea, but thinks the fine is too high and the speed too slow.

However, most others are not so agreeable. In contrast to the safety concerns raised by the GGB officials, many cyclists are arguing that this speed limit is unwarranted and unnecessary. In another article by the Chronicle, recreational cyclist P.J. Gallagher, who often bikes the Golden Gate, calls this plan "a joke" because "it's a solution for a problem that doesn't exist."

Other cyclists have raised the complaint that it will be difficult for them to know what speed they're travelling because most bikes are not equipped with speedometers. According to the study, the current average speed of cyclists on the bridge is 13-17 mph.

And even more have complained about the singling out of bicyclists when tourists are "the real problem" because, according to daily-commuter Lew Ketcher, "There are people coming right at you with a camera in one hand, looking out at the water. There are people stopping right in the middle of the path to take a picture."

It's too bad that, with money as the concern, tourists and unnecessary fines are the city's best friends.

"HowFuckedIsMuni.Com"

When you’re standing at a bus stop for far too long and you have no idea whether the bus passed by earlier than schedule or if it’s just extremely late, would you say that ignorance is bliss or just really, really annoying?

Well, considering the popularity of NextBus.com—the handy site that tracks your buses and their estimated time of arrival to all stops—I’d bet you’re more likely to be standing at that bus shelter with a frown on your face than a smile. If you haven’t checked out NextBus, I would recommend giving it a try so you never again have to stand in the cold, wracked with will it/won’t it questions. And instead, you’ll know exactly when the bus is coming in real-time and plan accordingly.

How Fucked Is Muni? is a site inspired by Is the L Train Fucked? which tells New Yorkers if the L Train is late enough for them to splurge on a cab ride home. HFIM combines the L Train model with NextBus.com real-time technology to tell you how delayed your ride is. So instead of waiting impatiently for your late bus, now you can know exactly how fucked you are because of Muni.

Bike Boxes: Good Idea?

In light of the new Market Street bike boxes, the SFMTA has provided a handy infographic on how to safely use them:

In their press release, the SFMTA said that bike boxes are "designed to improve the visibility and positioning of bicyclists at intersections with traffic signals and to prioritize bicycles as they move through intersections. Bicyclists stopped in a bike box are easily seen by motorists, improving safety at intersections. Bike boxes provide a separated waiting area for bicyclists and can increase pedestrian safety by improving visibility and decreasing both motorist and bicycle encroachment into crosswalks."

Also included in the press release was additional guidelines to using these bike boxes. Whether you bike, walk, or drive, it's very important to know these rules.

What Motorists Should Know

When the traffic signal is red, motorists must stop behind the white stop line behind the green bike box. Motorists should not stop on top of the bike box, but rather keep it clear for cyclists to use. Right turns on a red signal will not be allowed at these intersections.

When the light turns green, motorists and cyclists may move through the intersection as usual, with cyclists going first. Motorists turning right on green should signal and watch for cyclists to the right.

What Bicyclists Should Know

When a traffic signal is red, bicyclists must enter the bike box from the approaching bike lane and stop before the crosswalk.

When the light is green, bicyclists should proceed as normal through the intersection. Bicyclists should be aware of right-turning motorists, especially while in the crosswalk and the intersection.

What are your thoughts on these bike boxes? Do they seem more helpful than potentially harmful?

The People Plan

In preparation for the 2013 America's Cup yacht race taking place on our city's waterfront, Mayor Ed Lee is working towards improving Embarcadero's pedestrian, bike, and transit congestion.

The People Plan lays out the possible changes city officials can make. According to SF Streetsblog, these changes include:

• Extending the F-line to Fort Mason
• Implementing a bike share program with safe parking systems
• New wayfinding signs on biking and walking routes
• Prioritizing Bike Plan projects and adding more bike lanes

These changes can really make a big difference to the waterfront, not just for the event, but permanently. If there are any changes you want to see, this is the time to suggest them. And hopefully, after the tourists have all gone home, they'll leave behind a more commuter-friendly Embarcadero.