VOD#3, Muni

At their November meeting, the San Francisco Bicycle Coalition invited representatives from Muni to discuss bike-bus relations. First, the Muni answered questions about their plans to mount bike racks on buses in the future. The plan is modeled after Seattle's and each rack would carry two bikes.

Sharing the road was the second subject. Each group brought forth its concerns. The primary one for both sides was running red lights. People brought up the problem of buses squeezing out traffic to the right, which is actually what they are taught to do-the idea being to make sure no one can hit boarding or exiting passengers. The psychology of bus drivers makes more sense if you visualize them as shepherds guarding their flock of sheep (passengers). The people present generally agreed that the solution was for bikers to pass buses on the left and were sufficiently enthused on this idea as to propose putting stickers on buses advising bikers to pass on the left. The subject was rapidly changed after I pointed out that going to left put a biker onto BART ventilation grates, cable car rails, and into the path of other buses. This is exactly how Thomas was killed and how Cat was just almost killed.

Bike lanes, rerouted buslines, and other solutions to trouble spot were brought up. Everyone agreed Market Street has the most dangerous concentration of buses. Harrison Street is apparently the most dangerous street in the city of bikers, though, and the worst intersections are 3rd, 4th, and 10th.

Discourse was calm, but one biker wrote, "I've never encountered a Muni driver as violent or inconsiderate as drivers of individual cars." That was hard to swallow, so I pointed out that a Muni bus driver beat up a friend with brass knuckles and another slammed the bus doors on a friend who was eight-a-half-months pregnant. Plus, the bus driver that told Cajun Nick the day after Thomas was killed, "I should have run you over, just like your friend!" Again, the subject rapidly changed after I spoke up!

Towards the end of the meeting, a Muni rep said, "Contrary to popular belief all complaints are taken seriously." To register a complaint, write 949 Presidio, SF CA 94115, or call 923.6164, and have the four digit bus number, line number, time, and date ready. What he didn't mention was this phone number is busy 24 hours a day. And unless you go to Muni court over the matter, the complaint doesn't count anyway.

Before adjournment, Limor eloquently pointed out that, in the end, bikes and buses were on the same side: for improving the environment. Every bus equals perhaps a dozen less cars. Maybe they think they're battling overpopulation. - America

Cat Gets Creamed

Although he is in excruciating pain, at least he's still alive. Wednesday, December 5th, Cat was biking down Geary, just past Kearney, when he passed a Muni bus that was stopped. As he pulled around the bus another bus overtook him, pushing him into the parked bus. He pounded on the windows trying to alert the bus driver, but it kept pushing him into the bus, until his handlebars hit both buses. Cat flew over the handlebars, striking his temple, then his Aerotank tumbled on top on him, dragging him. The moving bus continued for 20 feet,. Eyewitnesses ran up to the driver, screaming at him for his grotesque negligence. "Steve Young never took a hit this bad," says Cat. "Never in my life did I get headaches, but now I'm getting them and I'm always dizzy." Needless to say, his honeymoon was not a happy one. How many lives does Cat have left?