SFPD Not Targeting Bicyclists; How to Counter-protest 'Anonymous';

Some drivers ignore the mandatory right-turn at 10th Street. Photo courtesy of SFExaminer.com

   Recent claims made by Streetsblog and other transit websites that the San Francisco Police Department have been selectively targeting bicyclists has been proven speculative.  Evidenced by the repeated enforcement (they run this sting quite regularly) by the SFPD of motorists disobeying the mandatory turn-lanes along Market Street at 6th and 10th Streets. Let's call them Cartyrs, people who refuse to believe they are the 'small guys' on the playground and continually peacock and posture until their noticed.  Trust me, as a pedestrian I "Notice" you everyday whizzing by me in crosswalks, pedestrian areas, and even inside BART stations.

  Again, these websites' agendas overshadow their noble and rational reasons for the fight; everyone should feel safe on our streets. Yet they seek some legitimized form of anarchy by believing they are above the law, or at least always the victim in the battle for street space. This seems eerily similar to the motorist's "arrogant" behavior they so often deem entitlement.

  Contrarian at best, their continued police bashing doesn't win them any leverage in their eventual fight for any future expansion of the San Francisco Bike Plan (SFBP) beyond the proposed build-out scheduled for completion late next year. I guess upholding the law isn't something these people want from a police department any more. Stop turning our brave men and women into scapegoats in the public media, karma's a bitch.

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photo courtesy of phonejammer.com

  Here's a novel way of participating in the counter-protest to 'Anonymous' and their senseless and misdirected claims about BART Police.  In response, I'll offer my own non-violent, quasi-legal way of making Anonymous truly anonymous. You can purchase portable cell-signal blocking technology that fits in your pocket.  

  Just show up during a scheduled protest and stay close to protesters outside the station moderating or coordinating social media, blogs, and forums.  This is the crucial link in cutting off communication to the their fringe elements and the rest of the world. This will also block nearby news reporters from using their cell phones, so be careful.  Fight for your right to safe and convenient public transit, and take back the trains from these terrorists.  BTW, MUNI drivers have struck and killed NINE people this year, BART Police TWO.  Where are your priorities?

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.

Double Deuce: SFBike.org Caught Flexing Again

  Last time I checked, there is no 3-foot passing law between bicyclists and vehicles currently on the books in either San Francisco or The State of California. But the San Francisco Bicycle Coalition has made it there duty to foresee the future and provide us with a seemingly inane safety video on their website entitled Riding Predictably where they show us the law:

                   

                                              video courtesy of SFBike.org

  Even Celeste LeCompte from today's SFGate.com has been getting her ledes from SFBike.org  "Ride safely. Even though you're riding slowly, don't forgo the helmet, stop at traffic signals and ride predictably." Her great article about the Slow Bike Movement is where it IS.

  So anyway, after being pleasantly surprised at finding a quirky and informative safety video on their website (I always ask them for safety literature when I see them on the street, but they never seem to have any), I was shocked to hear @ 2:56 the declaration that the 3-foot law is "The law." (People without brakes on their bicycles:  Please watch 2:11) SB910 passed the senate this spring, but as of the date of this posting it has not become law.