Bakersfield plans to bulldoze a neighborhood and build a freeway

By Andy Gillin Nov 25, 2014

During the height of California’s highway boom from the 1950s through the 1970s, Caltrans bulldozed through hundreds of neighborhoods to construct freeways. The economic and environmental toll on these... Read More

Signal timing: a critical element of safe, livable streets

By Andy Gillin Nov 7, 2014

For the vast majority of people, signal timing is not an exciting subject. Apart from traffic engineers and a select group of superwonks, few people pay attention to or... Read More

12-foot lanes don’t improve safety. So why do we keep building them?

By Andy Gillin Oct 15, 2014

Lane widths might seem like a boring, esoteric aspect of traffic engineering, but they really matter for creating safe, livable streets. Noted city planner and urban designer Jeff Speck... Read More

Oaklavia highlights need for better bicycle infrastructure around Lake Merritt

By Andy Gillin Oct 2, 2014

Oakland recently hosted Oaklavia, an open streets event that invites people to walk, bike, dance, play, and socialize in the streets. It’s a terrific, if underappreciated event... Read More

Governor Brown vetoes SB 1151, a bipartisan school zone safety bill

By Andy Gillin Sep 22, 2014

Last Friday, Governor Brown vetoed SB 1151, a bill that would have increased traffic fines in school zones and used these funds for active transportation investments. The bill had... Read More

‘Three Feet for Safety Act’ now in effect

By Andy Gillin Sep 19, 2014

By now you’ve probably already heard that the Three Feet for Safety Act went into effect on Tuesday. The bill, which was finally signed by Governor Brown last year,... Read More

Buy a bike, get a helmet: now through August 31st at select local bike shops

By Andy Gillin Aug 18, 2014

Starting Monday, August 18th, we’re partnering with five local bike shops to promote safety and provide free helmets with every kid’s bike sold. Bike safety is a cause that’s... Read More

Pedestrians dying at disproportionate rates in America’s poorer neighborhoods

By Andy Gillin Aug 7, 2014

We’ve said it before, and we’ll say it again: street safety is about equity. Streets designed for speeding cars are inherently designed dangerously, leaving people who do not drive... Read More

What is the cost of traffic crashes?

By Andy Gillin Jul 21, 2014

In discussions of traffic safety, it’s all too common to desensitize ourselves from the striking numbers of roadway crashes that occur: 32,999 fatalities, 3.9 million non-fatal injuries, and 24... Read More

Cycle Tracks still need traffic calming: a case study of Shoreline Boulevard in Mountain View

By Andy Gillin Jul 14, 2014

Proposals for Cycle Tracks are emerging throughout the Bay Area, and that is generally good news for bicycle safety. But as the saying goes, the devil is in the... Read More

East Bay Greenway construction delayed

By Andy Gillin Jul 10, 2014

Construction on the much-anticipated first segment of the East Bay Greenway has stalled due to delays from unexpected levels of soil contamination. The 0.5 mile, $3.56 million project was... Read More

Could Strava be good tool for planning and policymaking?

By Andy Gillin Jul 2, 2014

A key challenge in planning, funding, and implementing bicycle and pedestrian projects is the lack of good data to guide policymaking. As Janie Nham notes on the NRDC Switchboard,... Read More

Los Angeles hires Seleta Reynolds: what it means for walking and biking in SoCal

By Andy Gillin Jun 27, 2014

LADOT GM nominee Seleta Reynolds (right) with former New York City Transportation Commissioner Janette Sadik-Khan (left) In case there was any doubt, Los Angeles has officially joined the livable... Read More

Five major bike gaps in the Bay Area

By Andy Gillin Jun 19, 2014

As Bay Area cities redesign their streets to better accommodate safe bicycling, key gaps in the region’s infrastructure become ever more apparent. Much of the growth in bicycling over... Read More

Why are fire departments opposing safer street designs?

By Andy Gillin Jun 16, 2014

As San Francisco develops safer street designs to better accommodate people walking and biking, an unlikely opposition group has emerged: the San Francisco Fire Department (SFFD). SFFD has vocally... Read More

When sharrows aren’t enough

By Andy Gillin Jun 12, 2014

San Francisco ambitiously seeks to expand bicycling to 20 percent of all trips by 2020. Yet, real concerns over safety remain the single greatest obstacle to expanding bicycling in... Read More

‘Every Bicyclist Counts’ underscores need for increased commitment to bike safety

By Andy Gillin Jun 3, 2014

In discussions of street safety there is a tendency to view traffic fatalities as isolated incidents or just another statistic. It’s important to reinforce the human element of these... Read More

Are bike helmet laws sexist? Aussie woman says yes.

By Andy Gillin May 30, 2014

There’s long been a heated debate surrounding mandatory helmet laws, but up until now sexism hadn’t really been one of the talking points. However, a recent complaint from an... Read More

‘Dangerous by Design’ report reiterates link between speeding and pedestrian deaths

By Andy Gillin May 29, 2014

As we’ve examined previously both here and here, the Dangerous by Design 2014 report contains a wealth of valuable information on the pedestrian safety crisis in the United States.... Read More

How dangerous is your street?

By Andy Gillin May 27, 2014

Last week we looked at the Dangerous by Design report. One of the useful features is the map tool, which overlays the locations of every pedestrian fatality in the... Read More

The hypocrisy of San Francisco’s selective traffic law enforcement

By Andy Gillin May 15, 2014

Street safety depends on the fair enforcement of traffic laws, but enforcement is not always fair. The juxtaposition of two stories over the past week illustrates the incongruent enforcement... Read More

Is Berkeley falling behind in the race for safe streets?

By Andy Gillin May 5, 2014

The City of Berkeley is a well-known leader in environmentalism, social justice, and public health. Given that active transportation plays an integral role in each of these fields, it’s... Read More

Oakland’s Telegraph Avenue Complete Streets Plan: Building a Safer Street

By Andy Gillin Apr 24, 2014

Telegraph Avenue is one of Oakland’s key transportation corridors, linking Downtown Oakland with Downtown Berkeley. It serves thousands of transit riders, drivers, bicyclists, and pedestrians every day, and also... Read More

Are bike accidents treated differently than car accidents?

By Andy Gillin Apr 18, 2014

Bicycle accidents and auto accidents, technically, are treated identically under California law. The rules of determining who is at fault are the same. Practically Are They Treated Different? As... Read More

What is a Cycle Track?

By Andy Gillin Apr 14, 2014

Recently we discussed the ongoing battle between California cities and Caltrans over street design, most notably cycle tracks. As it turns out, Caltrans just announced its official endorsement of... Read More

Is traffic violence sufficiently prosecuted?

By Andy Gillin Apr 9, 2014

A year ago, 17 year old Hanren Chang was hit and killed by a drunk driver while crossing Sloat Boulevard in San Francisco. Hanren, a student at Lowell High... Read More

#ReplaceBikeWithCar Satirizes Anti-Bike Rhetoric

By Andy Gillin Apr 7, 2014

The rise of bicycling and the expansion of bike lanes can at times provoke strong negative reactions in people, whether it’s at public meetings, newspaper comment boards, or casual... Read More

Cities battle Caltrans over street design

By Andy Gillin Apr 2, 2014

As cities across California seek to build safer, healthier, greener “complete streets,” many have come into conflict with Caltrans over what constitutes an acceptable (and legally defensible) design. This... Read More

Pedestrian accident settlement against AC Transit

By Andy Gillin Nov 9, 2013

$20.452 Million dollars received for a young woman hit by an AC Transit Bus. The largest recovery by an individual against a bus company in California History. Read More

$7.5 Million Dollars Recovered For a Big-rig collision in The Central Valley

By Andy Gillin Nov 9, 2013

$7.5 million recovered in trial for a family involved in a big-rig accident in the Central Valley. Read More

Is driving with Google Glass a ticketable offense?

By Andy Gillin Oct 31, 2013

As technology continues to become even more integrated into our everyday lives, existing laws can become fuzzy when it comes to how emerging technologies should be treated. Case in... Read More

Georgia lawmakers backpedal on bill requiring cyclists to register bikes and obtain license

By Andy Gillin Oct 7, 2013

A recent piece of legislation proposed by Georgia Representative Carl Rogers requiring cyclists to register their bike with the state (and obtain a license) managed to inspire enough vitriol... Read More

Texting While Driving: It’s Worse Than You Think

By Andy Gillin Sep 10, 2013

We all intuitively understand that texting while driving is dangerous – but a look at the statistics shows just how frighteningly dangerous (and pervasive) texting while driving is. According... Read More

Required viewing for drivers everywhere: ‘From One Second to the Next’

By Andy Gillin Aug 14, 2013

Famed director Werner Herzog’s powerful new documentary about texting and driving has already reached more than 1.5 million views on YouTube and is bringing even more attention to the... Read More

Inaugural summer internship program proves successful

By Andy Gillin Aug 8, 2013

16 students from 13 different high schools came together to participate in our summer internship designed to expose young adults to a potential career in law. The internship was... Read More

Law schools grow increasingly desperate as applications continue to decline

By Andy Gillin Jul 23, 2013

With the overall number of applicants to accredited law schools down 34 percent from their peak in 2010, schools are doing whatever they can to keep attendance up and... Read More

‘Foldable Helmet’ aims to make bike safety more portable than ever

By Andy Gillin Jul 10, 2013

One of the most common objections to wearing a bike helmet is that it’s simply not portable. Once you’ve arrived at your destination and chained your bike to the... Read More

Quick video tips for urban cycling

By Andy Gillin Jun 21, 2013

The team at Grist has put together a nice little video of “biking basics for folks who’ve always wanted to ride, but didn’t dare.” Although a lot of the... Read More

S.F. challenged to reduce bike fatalities, ramp up safety efforts

By Andy Gillin Jun 14, 2013

A report released earlier this week is urging San Francisco’s mayor and Board of Supervisors to increase efforts to reduce bike fatalities, calling for an ultimate goal of “zero... Read More

Medical cannabis creating uncertainty in state DUI laws

By Andy Gillin Jun 3, 2013

Two states have legalized cannabis and 17 states (18 including Washington, D.C.) have legalized medical cannabis. As the nation slowly shifts towards decriminalization, numerous questions arise on how to... Read More

New studies reiterate texting while driving is unsafe

By Andy Gillin May 7, 2013

Recently released studies have confirmed what we already know, but too often ignore: texting and driving is not a safe combination. Even though you’re 23 times more likely to... Read More

Introduction to Careers in Law

By Andy Gillin Apr 19, 2013

Introduction to Careers in Law There will not be a program in 2023. Building on the success of previous summer programs, GJEL Accident Attorneys will once again be hosting... Read More

Creative cycling attire tricks surrounding drivers into obeying the law

By Andy Gillin Apr 16, 2013

Cyclists across the pond have come up with a creative way to make sure surrounding motorists treat their safety with the appropriate amount of respect. By wearing reflective gear... Read More

And the unhappiest job in America is…

By Andy Gillin Apr 3, 2013

After compiling over 65,000 company reviews during 2012 and evaluating multiple factors that influence an employee’s job satisfaction, CareerBliss released their list of the happiest and unhappiest jobs in... Read More

Robert Redford is too cool for speed limits

By Andy Gillin Mar 25, 2013

As proof that it’s not just young celebrities who can be terrible role models, 76-year-old screen icon Robert Redford recently boasted he drives at speeds in excess of 120... Read More

18-year-old required to refrain from saying ‘bingo’ for 6-month period

By Andy Gillin Mar 20, 2013

Much like you can’t yell “fire” in a crowded movie theater, it would appear yelling “bingo” in a crowded bingo hall is also off the table. Earlier this week... Read More

How much of an inconvenience to pedestrians are construction sites?

By Andy Gillin Mar 13, 2013

Much like most major cities, in Seattle there are currently a number of construction projects underway. Old buildings have been demolished to give way to new apartment complexes, office... Read More

Cyclist faces felony vehicular manslaughter charge after killing 71-year-old pedestrian

By Andy Gillin Mar 12, 2013

Although the widely reported accident took place almost a year ago, the San Francisco cyclist who collided with 71-year-old Sutchi Hui on March 29, 2012 has recently been order... Read More

Motorcycle lane-splitting in California to remain unrestricted for the foreseeable future

By Andy Gillin Mar 1, 2013

A California Senate bill proposing restrictions on motorcycle lane splitting was placed on hold this week pending a safety study currently being conducted by UC-Berkeley. The bill, which would... Read More

National Law Journal releases annual list of “go-to law schools”

By Andy Gillin Feb 28, 2013

The National Law Journal released its annual list of the Top 50 Go-To Law Schools, with the University of Pennsylvania topping the list for the second consecutive year. Using... Read More

National Safety Council reports increase in traffic fatalities for the first time since 2005

By Andy Gillin Feb 25, 2013

According to a preliminary report from the National Safety Council, the number of traffic fatalities during 2012 increased by 5 percent over the previous year. This marks the first... Read More

What’s the true measure of a city’s walkability?

By Andy Gillin Feb 22, 2013

Despite offering a good starting point, there’s still plenty of information missing when you look at the Walkscore of a specific location. As has been pointed out plenty of... Read More

Victim of ‘right hook’ bicycle accident

By Andy Gillin Feb 21, 2013

$325,000 to victim of 'right hook' bicycle accident Read More

Cyclist struck by car while riding at night

By Andy Gillin Feb 21, 2013

$300,000 for cyclist struck by car while riding at night Read More

Woman injured in car vs. bicycle accident

By Andy Gillin Feb 21, 2013

$225,000 for woman injured in car vs. bicycle accident Read More

Cyclist ‘doored’ by exiting motorist

By Andy Gillin Feb 21, 2013

$195,000 for cyclist 'doored' by exiting motorist Read More

Cyclist struck while riding on the shoulder

By Andy Gillin Feb 21, 2013

$180,000 for cyclist struck while riding on the shoulder Read More

Cyclist who collided with low hanging tree branch

By Andy Gillin Feb 21, 2013

$110,000 for cyclist who collided with low hanging tree branch Read More

Injured cyclist

By Andy Gillin Feb 21, 2013

$100,000 for injured cyclist Read More

Don’t Drive Drowsy: Tips to Avoid Driving While Fatigued

By Andy Gillin Feb 20, 2013

When it comes to making poor decisions behind the wheel, drunk driving and distracted driving get the bulk of the attention, but numbers show drivers impaired by fatigue account... Read More

Nevada bill seeks to ban pedestrians from using cell phones while crossing the street

By Andy Gillin Feb 15, 2013

Distracted driving is a serious threat to street safety, but what about distracted walking? A new bill in Nevada would make it illegal for pedestrians to text, enter data,... Read More

The debate about whether cyclists should be required to wear helmets rages on

By Andy Gillin Feb 14, 2013

It may seem counterintuitive, but despite near unanimous support for the use of helmets, many cycling advocates disagree with the notion that helmet usage should be required by law.... Read More

…And that’s why you don’t mouth off in court

By Andy Gillin Feb 7, 2013

Earlier this week, Florida teen Penelope Soto got international attention when a video of her mouthing off to Miami-Dade Circuit Judge Jorge Rodriguez-Chomat started making the rounds online. In... Read More

Does jaywalking enforcement encourage ‘victim blaming’ mentality when it comes to pedestrian deaths?

By Andy Gillin Feb 1, 2013

An article from the DC Area blog “Greater Greater Washington” posed an interesting question about whether a recent pedestrian enforcement campaign is essentially “blaming the victim” by targeting the... Read More

Don’t Call The Big Game ‘Super’

By Andy Gillin Feb 1, 2013

Heading into this week’s Super Bowl big game, Samsung has decided to poke a bit of fun at the fact advertisers aren’t allowed to mention the NFL’s trademarked championship... Read More

Mother of five gets harsher sentence for involving children in multiple staged car crashes

By Andy Gillin Jan 18, 2013

Committing insurance fraud is already bad enough, but when you endanger your children in the process it reaches a whole new level of scuminess. For mother of five, Ana... Read More

Encroachments on high-pressure jet fuel pipeline along Iron Horse Trail create major safety concern

By Andy Gillin Jan 11, 2013

This past Tuesday, Representatives from the Contra Costa County Public Works Department and Kinder Morgan held a meeting to discuss potential safety issues stemming from a jet fuel pipeline... Read More

Help TransForm reach their fundraising goal before the end of the year

By Andy Gillin Dec 21, 2012

With the end of the year fast approaching, our friends at TransForm are trying to set themselves up for success in 2013 by raising $75,000 to help them continue... Read More

Safety light offers cyclists moving DIY bike lane

By Andy Gillin Dec 7, 2012

With Governor Brown’s recent veto of the three foot passing bill, there’s a new product popping up specifically for cyclists looking to preserve a bit of personal space. The... Read More

Indiana Tech rolls dice, opens new law school amid massive law school crisis

By Andy Gillin Dec 5, 2012

It’s no secret that law school attendance is in serious decline. That’s what makes the decision to open a new law school in “the middle of history’s worst law... Read More

What does marijuana legalization mean for drivers in Washington and Colorado?

By Andy Gillin Nov 29, 2012

With the recent legalization of marijuana in both Washington and Colorado, police are in the process of determining how to enforce DUI laws in light of legislation that could... Read More

Toronto cyclists stage sit-in to protest bike lane removal

By Andy Gillin Nov 16, 2012

A bike lane on Jarvis St. in Toronto, Ontario was scheduled for removal but six protesters staged a sit-in to prevent construction workers from removing the lane. The removal crew gave... Read More

Unsafe driving leads to unusual punishment for ‘idiot’ motorist

By Andy Gillin Nov 9, 2012

It may seem like a punishment right out of a sitcom, but a Cleveland Municipal court judge has sentenced a Cleveland woman to wear a sign that says, “Only... Read More

SF Muni Turns 100 with Weeklong Celebration

By Andy Gillin Nov 5, 2012

San Francisco Municipal Railway kicked off a weeklong centennial celebration on Sunday by rolling out vintage streetcars on the city’s oldest existing rail line. Over the weekend, the J-Church–which... Read More

Helmets shouldn’t deter you from cycling

By Andy Gillin Oct 23, 2012

Last month the New York Times ran an editorial written by someone who found it refreshing that she could rent a bike for $2 in Paris and spend the... Read More

Is there an impending crisis for major law firms?

By Andy Gillin Oct 12, 2012

In a recent segment from Bloomberg Law, law firm consultant Bruce MacEwen has charged that the legal industry is currently facing an “excess capacity.” As a result, MacEwen contends... Read More

Incident in Littleton reminds cyclists to always exercise caution

By Andy Gillin Oct 11, 2012

A recent incident in Littleton, Colorado has highlighted the importance of always being alert and never taking your safety for granted. Last weekend a 55-year-old cyclist was injured while... Read More

Motorist strikes cyclist, threatens to sue for damage to vehicle

By Andy Gillin Oct 5, 2012

The battle between cars and bikes rages on, as the insurance company of a New Zealand motorist attempted to sue a cyclist for vehicle damage occurring after the driver... Read More

Bridgestone’s ‘Teens Drive Smart’ campaign is stopping in Alameda this weekend

By Andy Gillin Sep 21, 2012

This weekend, Bridgestone’s “Teens Drive Smart” campaign will be at the Alameda Point Naval Air Station on Saturday, September 22nd and Sunday, September 23rd. The free half-day program is... Read More

What can employers do to prevent distracted driving?

By Andy Gillin Sep 19, 2012

In the six states where texting and driving is still legal, employers are being placed in the unenviable position of having to discourage those driving on their behalf from... Read More

Take SFMTA’s customer satisfaction survey, give your opinion on street safety

By Andy Gillin Sep 12, 2012

The San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA) is polling Bay Area residents on their customer experiences. The short survey asks for feedback on a variety of topics, from the... Read More

Copenhagen bike highway system expected to save $60 million per year in health care alone

By Andy Gillin Sep 6, 2012

With people in Copenhagen already riding a combined 750,000 miles each day, a new “cycling superhighway” that plans to link the city’s surrounding suburbs is expected to get another... Read More

Making the bike a family vehicle

By Andy Gillin Aug 31, 2012

Behold, the bicycle minivan. Last week the Bay Citizen featured an article on how some San Francisco parents are opting to make the bike a family vehicle. The article... Read More

Even minor separation between roads and bike lanes increases rider safety

By Andy Gillin Aug 30, 2012

A recent experiment conducted by Brooklyn Spoke blog author Doug Gordon has confirmed what many people already suspected; simply having a barrier between the road and bike lane can... Read More

New ‘Invisible Bike Helmet’ tries to target fashion forward cyclists

By Andy Gillin Aug 15, 2012

There are plenty of excuses people give for why they don’t wear a helmet. Reasons ranging from the understandable complaint that they’re bulky and hard to carry around to... Read More

Should SF Police set up distracted driving stings?

By Andy Gillin Aug 14, 2012

Texting and driving is against the law, but enforcing distracted driving laws is easier said than done. Last week in Fargo, North Dakota, police setup a sting operation designed... Read More

Concerns from motorists surround San Jose’s bike friendly plans

By Andy Gillin Aug 10, 2012

The seemingly unending war between motorists and cyclists had a bit more fuel thrown on the fire this week thanks to some vocal San Jose residents objecting to plans... Read More

Poor condition of Bay Area roads often contribute to deadly accidents

By Andy Gillin Aug 8, 2012

Reports from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) show that between 2001 and 2010 nearly 70 people were killed in Bay Area car crashes resulting from problems with... Read More

San Francisco ponders mileage based tax for drivers

By Andy Gillin Aug 3, 2012

In a move that’s sure to raise privacy concerns and spark paranoia among Bay Area residents, the Metropolitan Transportation Commission is exploring the idea of implementing a mileage based... Read More

Modesto-area cyclist killed in Fountaingrove collision, fifth Sonoma bike fatality in past ten weeks

By Andy Gillin Aug 2, 2012

In addition to having one of the highest traffic fatality rates of any Bay Area county, Sonoma County has also been the site of several recent cycling tragedies. Following... Read More

Metropolitan Transportation Commission votes down “Free Muni for Youth” campaign

By Andy Gillin Jul 26, 2012

Remember when we said the bright spot in the new San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA) budget was a pilot program that would provide low-income children with free transit... Read More

California relaxes texting while driving laws, other states may not follow suit

By Andy Gillin Jul 25, 2012

Beginning next year, texting while driving will be legal in California…as long as you keep your hands off the phone. On Friday, July 13th, Gov. Jerry Brown signed a... Read More

Why Pedestrian Safety Matters: A Look at the Numbers that Shape San Francisco’s Streets

By Andy Gillin Jul 20, 2012

Much has already been written about the cuts to pedestrian related projects in the new Federal Transportation Bill. Fortunately, there are still people out there actively campaigning for pedestrian... Read More

First comprehensive nationwide insurance plan designed specifically for cyclists

By Andy Gillin Jul 17, 2012

Thanks to a partnership between Better World Club and Portland’s Gales Creek Insurance Services, cyclists now have the opportunity to purchase the first nationwide comprehensive accident and liability insurance... Read More

New SideCar app helps facilitate ride shares

By Andy Gillin Jul 12, 2012

SideCar, a new San Francisco-based company, is helping encourage ride shares with a new app that matches drivers with nearby passengers in need of a ride. The app works... Read More

What Strava’s pending lawsuit could mean for the company and its users

By Andy Gillin Jul 6, 2012

Strava is currently being sued by the family of a 41-year-old engineer from Oakland, CA who died two years ago while trying to better a ‘King of the Mountains’... Read More

Cyclists allowed to bring bikes on the BART all day on Fridays during August

By Andy Gillin Jun 29, 2012

Starting next week, a new pilot program will allow riders to bring bikes on the BART all day on Friday’s during the month of August. The normal blackout times... Read More

Transportation spending bill worries bike advocates

By Andy Gillin Jun 25, 2012

Congress is looking at a transportation spending bill this week, but bike advocates are worried that senators who are “anxious for a deal” will toss out a provision that... Read More

LumaHelm Interactive Helmet would allow riders to signal intent to surrounding vehicles

By Andy Gillin Jun 20, 2012

When it comes to cycling, using the proper hand signals is an essential element of making sure you’re riding safely. Now, a new helmet created by Exertion Games Lab... Read More

World Naked Bike Ride aims to promote greener communities and safer streets for cyclists

By Andy Gillin Jun 11, 2012

This past weekend marked the ninth annual World Naked Bike Ride, a clothing optional event designed to protest against oil dependency and promote cycling advocacy. In San Francisco, nearly... Read More