SFPD Enforcement Highlights Need For 'Dismount Zones'

     

                                                    Bicyclists in Boulder, CO talk about dismount zones and riding responsibly

  Does Streetsblog hate the SFPD? It seems they do by their latest reaction to a traffic enforcement sting along Market Street recently, and the subsequent investigation by Streetsblog showing how many operators where cited. Streetsblog doesn't like to acknowledge the reality that exists at most intersections within San Francisco; bicyclists break the law most often (with pedestrians being a close second). Finally, factual evidence has emerged to support what we already know, there are just as many douchebag bicyclists as there are douchebag drivers (this includes motorcycles that use the bike lane/shoulder), as there are douchebag pedestrians.  Basically, we all suck at paying attention when it really matters.

Ignorant Drivers 2 for 2 In This Week's "Target Practice"

Via the Press Democrat came news that the boy who was struck by a car in a Santa Rosa crosswalk has died.  The mother says the first driver to approach the crosswalk waited for her and her 3 children to begin crossing, but the suspect in the adjoining lane hit the gas and struck the child; catapulting him into the air in front of his siblings and mother. The ignorant driver was cleverly caught by police just an hour later, through a tip he had hitched a ride with a woman in a Volvo with a recorded license plate number.  The suspect is in his 20's, Latino, and has been cited multiple times in the past for operating a motor vehicle without a license.  The driver is now charged with felony hit-and-run; and will hopefully finally face justice. The child is survived by a twin sister and a 6 year old sister. R.I.P.

and via Marin Independent Journal comes word a 52 year old bicyclist was struck as a car veered into it's path along the shoulder of Tiburon Boulevard around 4 p.m. yesterday.  The bicyclist was jettisoned off the bike, but sustained only moderate injury and is reported in good condition at Marin General Hospital.  The right lane was reopened to traffic within the hour. No word on if the 70-year-old driver pissed himself.