A Weekend of Parks, Community, and Action
This past weekend was big for bike lovers. Here's a recap:
First, we had the opening of the car-free Great Highway this Saturday! It's officially titled Sunset Dunes, but since we started out as the Great Walkway Civil Disobedience Society, that name will always have a special place in our heart.
Thousands turned out to enjoy the park. It was so heartening to see people use what we have been working towards for years, and we can't wait to see people enjoying the park for years to come.
A huge crowd of people on Sunset Dunes listens to a speaker during the opening ceremonies
Some car brain whiners decided to protest traffic and noise by... causing more traffic and noise? Doesn't really make sense but luckily it was pretty easy to just ignore them.
A few people in cars on Lower Great Highway honking with signs that say "Recall Engardio". Somebody can be heard shrieking.
On Sunday we had a Slow Ride bringing people through the Southeast to Wigglefest, organized by our friends at the Duboce Triangle Neighborhood Association.
Pictures of the group ride, first at Palega Rec center in Portola, and then at Heron's Head Park
The Slow Ride arriving at Wigglefest, bike bills ringing
When we got there, people couldn't help but notice a change to the daylighting zones around Duboce Park. With AB 413, cities can turn 20 feet of curb into daylighting zones for increased pedestrian visibility. You may have seen some news stories about curb painting recently. Not sure who was responsible for that... But paint-only daylighting zones are vulnerable to entitled vroomers parking there anyways. A study from NYC indicates that the best way to get safety benefits is to add hardening, such as flex posts, bike racks, planters (and in New York's case, literal boulders).
Safe Street Rebel members improved 4 daylighting zones, and people immediately started using the new amenities. Hopefully these stay in for a while. We didn't court press coverage for this one in the hopes that they stick around longer. Hope you enjoy it.
A series of pictures of bike racks and planters in daylighting zones, as well as a few benches on the sidewalk. All are getting used
Wigglefest itself was a blast :) Can't wait for the next one, and definitely can't wait for the block of Steiner to be permanently pedestrianized to get cars off the Wiggle. In the meantime, the installs will continue.
That's it for the update!! If you're interested in getting involved and aren't already connected, you can find us at the events listed at safestreetrebel.com/calendar.