Tagged: bicycles

Downsizing California's postal system could affect last-minute voters, according to Secretary of State Debra Bowen. While the U.S. Postal Service has proposed closing up to 11 processing centers across the state, that could delay thousands of mail-in ballots and compromise the integrity of the November election...

On today's show, we played a lot of top five bike lists – everything from the top five reasons it's great to bike in San Francisco to the top five tips for being an urban female biker. Listen to them all, plus a few extra, here.

Chris Hoff, KALW sound engineer

Top five bike gripes

5. San Francisco hills. These mighty obstacles have forced the strongest of us to dismount on occasion and walk our trusty steeds up their towering heights. Or, just go around them.

4. Drivers talking on their cell phones. Sweet Fancy Moses.

3. Potholes. Many a broken spoke and busted wheel have fallen victim to these diminutive demons.

2. Oblivious pedestrians. A close second: oblivious pedestrians talking on their cell phones. 

On the last Friday evening of every month, the streets of hundreds of cities around the world are transformed. The cars, trucks, and busses that usually dominate the landscape slow down – because they are overwhelmed by bicycles. In San Francisco, cyclists from all over the city, the Bay Area, and sometimes the world come together at the foot of Market Street.