timbuk2.com

Last week during a routine bicycle commute to the Timbuk2 I noticed something a little different at the most dangerous intersection in America- a traffic light with a dedicated bicycle light! The intersection of two of the main thoroughfares through the city is a notoriously dangerous place for peds and bikers alike to cross the street. And since Fell street runs directly parallel to the Panhandle portion of Golden Gate Park, it’s a recreational fav. Until now, the speeding traffic turning left to cross the park (and the peds and bikers walking across the street) all went GO at the same time. Trouble.

But no more! As a small town gal, I had never seen such an amazing thing as a traffic light with colored bicycle shapes! I usually reserve “super –cool” status for things like the new 90210, 80s fashion and rehab but this light is “super –cool”! Let’s give a shout out to the city for making this much needed change and the SFBC who has fought the good fight for this for years!

Like a good ketchup, some things are worth the wait and this was/is one of them. I don’t expect every driver, biker or walker to notice this light the first, second or even third time around. We might need to be patient when it comes to acceptance of the new light. I still see cars bully their way through on the red arrow; I still see bikers insist on going first on the little red bike. (the left turn cars go first). But even in the short week since it was installed, people are catching on. Every journey begins with one step (pedal stroke). This one is going to be great and WAAY less life threatening.

miss k.