I don’t know what is more scary on the road: taxis or Muni buses. Probably Muni. This morning, while riding my bicycle to work because from 8:30 to 10:00 it’s impossible to get on Muni at Church and Market, I saw a young woman squirming in pain on the ground at Townsend and Fourth. The 10-Townsend was stopped at an angle, the bicycle was in the middle of the road, and the driver seemed upset. No, frustrated. Her bus was packed, and everyone stared on from inside as the woman on the ground called for help. Other cyclists and pedestrians were trying to help, calling 911 and assuring the injured cyclist to stay on the ground despite the bus driver’s hysteria.
San Francisco is impossible for parking, Muni is insanely packed in the morning, but does the healthy, fun, alternative of riding one’s bike to work have to mean risking your life? That intersection is notoriously bad and a major bike route. It sure would be nice to have a bike lane there, and Muni drivers to be aware of their mass.
(License plate 1147248, bus #8330 9:10 am)
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Wow, this is eerie. I almost got clocked at the same intersection just the other day– not by a rabid taxi driver, or someone in an SUV juggling Starbucks cups, but from our Muni friends– the buses seem to pile up right there. Hope she’s OK!
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There’s just something about SoMa that makes it a concentrated microcosm of San Francisco transportation: it’s terrible whether you’re walking, riding your bike, taking a bus or driving.
Maybe it’s the ridiculously large blocks, but it’s a hot mess of red-light runners and near-hits. Sad story, I hope she’s OK, too.
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The more cyclist, the more awareness generated for cyclists, the more bike lanes that are created, and the less people in dangerous cars and taxis trying to hit us. I am encouraged by the increase in cyclists I see out there every day. I encourage everybody to get out of those uncomfortable gas spewing, energy consuming steel boxes you ride in every day and get on a bike. You will be more healthy, get places faster, have fun doing it, save money, improve the environment and make our streets more liveable. Give it a try and you will quickly realize why it is the best way to get around town!
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I work in the area and not only do cyclists need to be careful, but pedestrians as well. There have been many times I’ve started walking across the street only to have a speeding car cut about a few feet in front of me just to make a right turn! It’s really scary crossing that intersection and sometimes I just let all the cars pass before I cross just so I won’t risk hurting myself. There have also been multiple times I’ve seen cyclists run red lights at that intersection and it concerns me with all the buses and speeding vehicles at that intersection. Everyone just needs to be aware of their surroundings at all times.
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I didn’t see the accident, but I saw its aftermath, and it made me reaffirm my vow to never ride a bicycle in San Francisco!
With that said, the victim seemed in fairly good shape, compared to other accident victims I’ve seen over the years, myself included. Some sensitive voyeurs were quick to note that she “couldn’t be that bad, if she’s still using her cell phone.” Uh, maybe because she needed to call loved ones, or perhaps her job, to make sure wouldn’t lose it? Overall, people were pretty responsive, and the ambulance showed up pretty quickly, or should I say quicker than it comes in my neighborhood (the Mission).
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I got hit on my bike this morning too. Be careful out there, cyclists.
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The intersection of 6th and Harrison, another Soma blackhole of vehicular-pedestrial-cycler maul, should also be noted as insane. Insane. INSANE. Everyday I see people run the reds in all directions.
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Chris Rusak: AGREED. I got hit there–and the girl riding shotgun screamed louder than I did. Strangely, these are the only two places I’ve really gotten scared, so I think what we’re seeing here is collective agreement that maybe something could ameliorate these two problem areas. Wasn’t there some sort of citizen’s uprising about that spot on Oak at the panhandle where there’s the funky crosswalk situation (the only place I’ve seen cyclists hit– twice!)? Is there some kind of bike-complaint system/threshold?
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When reporting any MUNI incident, be sure to include the three-digit “run” number digitally displayed on the lower left hand corner of the windshield. If possible, try to get the driver’s employee number normally located on the right sleeve near the shoulder.
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@CHB: The panhandle bike like at Fell & Masonic was allowed to be put through after a study by the City showed a number of injuries (and worse?), went to the judge for ‘relief from the injunction’ for that one specific fix that would directly address a specific and terrible safety concern. In short, it took a Herculean effort.
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@Peter and CHB, a neighborhood group called FixMasonic(.org) was largely responsible for getting the light put in. They organized for close to a year asking for various improvements along the entire corridor, including the new light.
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