Bicycles Make for Cleaner Future

By Phil Ting

As residents of a major city, we know that getting from point A to point B doesn’t have to always involve a car. While public transit is a great option, people power should also be considered – and even play a bigger role. Active transportation is human-powered mobility, such as biking, walking or rolling. 

I am a big advocate because these modes are effective at conserving fuel, reducing vehicle emissions and improving individual and public health. As someone who rides a bike when possible, I feel we need to increase participation so that the benefits are widely felt. This year, I successfully secured more than $2 million in state funding to help San Francisco better incorporate bicycles as a viable transportation choice. 

First, I announced at my recent Bike Fair that the YMCA of San Francisco’s YBike program will receive $1 million. They do incredible work in supporting local youth, providing education and access to bikes. Growing a base of users increases the likelihood they’ll integrate clean and green transportation into their lives. As they get older, they’ll independently be able to get to their after-school programs, part-time jobs and other activities. 

YBike began in 2002 when a Presidio YMCA member volunteered to teach kids how to ride bikes. This program has expanded into a series of youth bike initiatives, working primarily in partnership with the SF Unified School District, the Y of San Francisco and after-school providers. YBike engages thousands of youth each year, transforming San Francisco youth into skilled bicyclists and confident young adults. I am happy to support their mission.

This latest round of funding will:

• Replace YBike’s aging vehicle and bicycle fleets.

• Provide bikes, equipment and storage to expand the program to new sites.

• Creates a “mobile repair” vehicle to train a new generation of youth bike mechanics; repair services for communities lacking bike shops and maintaining SFUSD’s growing number of on-site bike fleets.

The other $1.2 million in state funding will make safety improvements for cyclists on Arguello Boulevard between Golden Gate Park and the Presidio. The bicycle lanes between the two parks are currently unprotected with only paint designating the appropriate travel area for cyclists. The recent death of world champion cyclist Ethan Boyes highlighted the need for change. 

The cycling community has repeatedly sounded the alarm for years about how unsafe this segment of road is. I’m happy to step up and answer the call. The SF Municipal Transportation Agency is currently finalizing design plans for protected bike lanes on Arguello, which could include having parked cars, safe-hit posts or other barriers to separate cyclists from moving traffic. The state funds I secured brings this project across the finish line and makes Arguello Boulevard safer for all cyclists.

Active transportation needs to play a bigger role in our lives. And to help make it safer for anyone walking, biking or rolling, I am joint author of AB 645 with Assemblymember Laura Friedman (D-Burbank). The legislation, which the governor recently signed, aims to slow down drivers under a six-city pilot program to install traffic cameras that will enforce speed limits. San Francisco, which has a Vision Zero plan, is included.

I’m proud to play a role in moving two local bicycle initiatives and a pilot program forward that encourage us get out of our cars. Let’s embrace it more for the sake of our environment and our health.

Phil Ting represents the 19th Assembly District, which includes the westside of San Francisco and the communities of Broadmoor, Colma, and Daly City, as well as parts of South San Francisco and San Bruno.