Dallas Eclipses San Francisco In Addressing Homelessness

In an article from Next American City, Mary Jones profiles The Bridge, a successful and revolutionary approach to dealing with Dallas' homeless. A whopping 93 percent of people who have transitioned to permanent housing maintain long-term housing without cycling between homelessness and institutionalization, as opposed to the 75 percent who hop around from hospitals, jails, streets, or shelters.

Bicyclists Get Red-Light Footrest in Copenhagen

Bicyclists now have a chance to rest while waiting for the right-of-way. photo courtesy of Copenhagenize.com

Please bring these to San Francisco! We with short legs will thank you.

Pleasanton Gets First Bicycle Red-Light Sensors

Bicyclists in SF generally encounter timed
signals instead of sensors

  Many a bicyclist and motorcyclist has encountered this situation at one time or another.  You approach a red light (more common in suburban areas) and wait, and wait, and wait some more.  The light never changes unless a motorist triggers the signal.  New technology promises to distinguish between bicycles, motorcycles and motorists in a trial being conducted in Pleasanton, CA.

  This piece by Robert Jordan of the Contra Costa Times highlights the sensors and the frustration felt by people who choose alternate forms of transportation around the Bay Area. And in this light-hearted piece from the San Jose Mercury News, the author highlights creative ways alternate modes of transportation attempt to trip the current red-light sensors.

   As more tools are utilized in creating a safer environment for all conveyances, the more accepted alternate modes will be acknowledged and respected by those in decision making positions. Let's fight for federal funding to bring these sensors to San Francisco's most dangerous un-timed intersections.

The Keys to Success in The Fillmore

The Fillmore's Heritage Center Complex

   Throughout the last decade, San Francisco has dumped millions of dollars and loads of community support around redevelopment of the lower Fillmore corridor. Although many businesses in the neighborhood are still seeing profits during this recession, the neighborhood is seeing, overall, only marginal growth and success. A San Francisco examiner article talks about why this area stutters with success.  

  I believe that once you remove an entire generation of residents from a community, and then attempt recolonize that same area with an entirely new type of occupant; is an exercise in futility. Gentrification issues aside, here are my reasons why this neighborhood continues to flounder.

1. The presence of the McDonald's at Filmore and Golden Gate only encourages loitering and drug activity. Why is there a drive-thru restaurant still located in one of our neighborhoods?

SFMTA Addressing Green Bike Lane Safety Issues

SFMTA engineers don't understand oil-based paint's light-refractive properties

 Last month, BeyondSF reported on something no one else wanted talk about; about how the experimental nature of this type of surface treatment on our streets could lead to unforeseen safety issues. The unforeseen (?) light-refractive properties of the green paint, along with it's slick finish have become a problem for both bicyclists and motorcyclists in San Francisco.