Written By Chris Dolan and Megan Irish
When we celebrate bike month, let’s thank the efforts of organizations across the Bay Area, like Bike East Bay, the San Francisco Bicycle Coalition, Fremont Freewheelers Bicycle Club and the Marin County Bicycle Coalition who make this happen!
The San Francisco Bicycle Coalition is one of the oldest bicycle advocacy organizations in the country. It was founded in 1971 by activists representing a coalition of environmental and neighborhood groups. The SF Bicycle Coalition works to create safer streets and more livable communities for all San Franciscans through day-to-day advocacy, education, and partnerships with city and community agencies. For over 50 years, the organization has been transforming San Francisco streets and neighborhoods into more livable and safe places by promoting bicycles for everyday transportation. They organize various events throughout the year, such as Intro to Biking in SF with Bay Wheels, Biking Meditations, and Bike to Wherever Day. The San Francisco Bicycle Coalition held its annual Bike to Everywhere Day on May 16, 2024, where people all over San Francisco rode their bikes to get to wherever they needed.
The Bike East Coalition is another organization dedicated to mobility justice, which includes our right to exist and move freely, safely, and joyfully within our communities. They focus on addressing community needs and empowering local communities. They use a shared leadership model and prioritize interdependence, flexibility, accountability, and trust. Additionally, they support individuals who have lost loved ones due to traffic and police violence in communities affected by systemic racism. The organization also challenges bureaucracies that overlook the human impacts of their actions.
The Marin County Bicycle Coalition Advocacy brings cyclists’ collective voice to life. They strongly support increased funding for bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure, interconnected routes, and policies that promote cycling in Marin. Their goal is to create a more bike-friendly environment and build confidence in cyclists. They offer safety and skills education to new riders, including classes for parents and programs promoting the benefits of green transportation. They aim to support Marin’s diverse cycling community by providing opportunities and a welcoming environment.
Their network of events serves as a central hub for cyclists of all ages and skill levels to connect, learn, ride, and have fun. The Safe Routes to Schools program, founded by the Marin County Bicycle Coalition in 2000, promotes safe and healthy travel routes to schools. Since 2005, it has been a program of the Transportation Authority of Marin, with MCBC subcontracted for education and encouragement at 55 schools. Safe Routes to Schools teaches over 10,000 students pedestrian and bicycle safety classes annually and hosts over 350 events to encourage students to walk, bike, bus, or carpool to schools.
We at Dolan Law Firm have supported bike coalitions for over a decade. We aim to encourage using healthy, sustainable, and safe routes for cyclists. These organizations’ efforts promote healthy, sustainable communities and foster a movement for safe streets and connected, thriving communities where pedestrians and cyclists are the priority. We can all support this cause, creating safer and more enjoyable communities.
