Oh man. I just wrote an angry letter to the editor of the Chronicle in response to this story about bike crashes on the Golden Gate Bridge. I am officially a crackpot.
I'm thankful for our biking tourists. They're great for the city, and I always encourage more cyclists. But the Blazing Saddles set typically lacks experience crossing the hazardous bridge, and so yelling is often the only way to avoid the very accidents you cite--a polite aside won't arrive in time from a fast-moving bike. There is a better solution, of course: Bike rental shops should be required to teach a standardized safety course. A few simple guidelines--such as no riding two abreast on the bridge or stopping in the bike lane on Alexander Avenue--would do much to reduce accidents.
I realized after sending it that maybe such a course already exists. In which case that would make me an ill-informed crackpot, to boot. But then again what good is being a crackpot if you can't also be ill-informed?
Update: It also occurs to me that my advocacy of a standardized safety course for would be bike renters means I have lived in San Francisco for so long now that I have become completely institutionalized.
It's Another Update!: After posting the above, a friend and apparently fellow crackpot sent me this letter she wrote way back in 2007 about the same. She sent it to Blazing Saddles, but hears nothing back. Either way, it's a movement, people!
July 25, 2007
To The Attention of Blazing Saddles,
I am a San Francisco resident and avid cyclist who crosses the Golden Gate Bridge via the bike path with regularity. As you know, this path is very narrow with a high volume of traffic; all levels of cyclists use the path ranging from beginner to advanced skill level.
I am writing because I have grown increasingly concerned about my safety while cycling on the bridge, and this safety concern is primarily linked to the habits and lack of caution associated with people riding Blazing Saddles bikes. As examples, yesterday while crossing the bridge, I noticed one person riding with a camcorder in hand (in other words, their view of the road was through the camcorder), another was eating a bag of potato chips, and another had a young child sitting on the handlebars. This is in addition to the numerous Blazing Saddles riders who cut across lanes of traffic without looking both ways, or who park their bikes in the middle of the lane.
Not only do these factors make riding the bridge a very unpleasant experience, it is also infringing on the safety of all riders. These cyclists, as an entity, do not seem to be aware of general rider etiquette and if they are, they do not seem to fear any consequence. The Bridge is a “safety-zone” for cars, meaning fines are doubled for moving violations. This was done for a reason, to emphasize the need for safety in a potentially hazardous environment. Bicyclists should be required and instructed to follow the same guidelines. According to the Marin Independent Journal, (http://www.marinij.com/marin/ci_5945716), bike accidents on the bridge have more than doubled in the last five years. This is not something that should be taken lightly, as the risk of a serious accident is quite high.
As the leading bike rental shop in San Francisco, I believe that Blazing Saddles plays a critical role in ensuring the safety of all riders on the bridge and would like to suggest that Blazing Saddles institute more stringent processes for renting to people who will be crossing the bridge including comprehensive education about conditions and safety while crossing the bridge with an emphasis on the need to pay attention/not multi-task while biking across the bridge. This should be spelled out for renters, informing them not to take pictures while riding, cross the bike path into oncoming traffic, and so on. Blazing Saddles should also ensure that riders of all language understand the rules. Also Blazing Saddles should encourage riders to self-assess their skill level prior to riding the bridge and not assume it’s something anyone can do. Non-confident riders are not only annoying; they make the path unsafe for everyone. Perhaps Blazing Saddles can recommend different rides (such as Ocean Beach or the Embarcadero) for renters who are un-skilled riders.
Riding bikes over the bridge should be regarded as an experience that is both enjoyable and safe; with a bit of common sense and consideration, this can be a safer experience for all.
Sincerely,
A NAMELESS FELLOW CRACKPOT
Cc: San Francisco Bicycle Coalition, San Francisco Visitors Site, Golden Gate Bridge
