From: paul@mmotion.com (Media In Motion)
Subject: [sfskaters] City Code Section 100 - Update
Date: Thu, 5 Jun 1997 04:20:39 -0800

City Code Section 100 - Update on 6/4/97 meeting
Next meeting: 2 weeks
Meeting attendees:
Mike Housh (Supervisor Ammiano's staff assistant)
Bill Maher (Executive Director, Department of Parking and Traffic 'DPT')
Katharine Albright (Deputy City Attorney)
Sharyn Saslafsky (Manager, Department of Muni Communications)
Bob Planthold (Pedestrian Safety Task force)
David Miles Jr.
Paul Pillitteri

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Hi Skaters,

The tone of this second meeting was considerably better than the first one.

The representatives from Muni and the Pedestrian Safety Task force were
brought up to speed and through this process, Bill Maher (DPT) revealed
that he was generally supportive of a pilot program that would allow
skaters access to [some number of] bike routes throughout the city.

He was the strongest opponent during the first meeting and is now feeling
that under the city's guidance, the possibility of us (the skaters)
organizing, educating and promoting safety to conduct a pilot program was
better than us taking to the streets in a rogue fashion.

Several events had strengthened our position and increased our chances
of accomplishing this goal since the last meeting.

One is the introduction of California's Assembly Bill 915 which adds
inline skating to the list of hazardous recreational activities and
thereby reduces the city's liability.   We didn't have anything to do
with this... it was just fortuitous timing!

We have also gained support from both the SFBC (San Francisco Bicycle
Coalition) and the SFBAC (San Francisco Bicycle Advisory Committee).
Their acceptance was crucial and I would like to extend my gratitude
to these groups.

The safety of skaters is one of the primary concerns that D. and I share
with the city officials.  Our goal is to educate skaters, motorists and
Muni drivers so we are all thinking (and reacting) safely, and to promote
a respectful form of interaction with the cyclists that are allowing us
to share the space they have fought for years to get.

As I have mentioned many times, this is not finished yet.  There are still
many liability issues that need to be hurdled, the streets for the pilot
program need to be negotiated and all of the city departments need to be
in agreement.  I can say that it is looking very favorable, but I suspect
we still have many months worth of meetings/details to work out.

As always, we must be on our best behavior anytime we are skating.

Thanks to all who have written with comments and support.  All feedback
is appreciated!

Skate safely...

Paul Pillitteri