Tuesday, May 16, 2006

Sun encourages biking to Java One

Java One began today. Java One is a large conference for Java developers at the Moscone Center in San Francisco.

Because Java One 2006 takes place during Bike To Work Week, Sun is encouraging employees to take public transit and bike to the conference. On an internal mailing list, one individual grumbled how the area around Moscone isn't "bicycle friendly." I don't think I would encourage my children to ride down Howard Street, but as long as you're aware, awake and assertive it's not bad.

For those traveling from the Peninsula or South Bay, here's my suggested transit + bicycle itinerary.

1. From your home or work, ride your bike to the nearest Caltrain station. Buy a round trip ticket to Zone 1. You need to get to the northbound platform, which will generally be the platform on the east side of the tracks. The bike car will always be the car at the north end of the train, so wait on the platform a litle north of the handicap waiting area. Hold on to this ticket because it's your ticket home.

2. Get on the train and ride it all the way to the end of the line in San Francisco. Train courtesy is to have a tag on the bike with your destination station; a little post it note stuck to the saddle or top tube works fine.

3. Exit the S.F. Caltrain Station. You should be looking at a cluster of cars on Townsend Street. Go right (east) on Townsend toward SBC/AT&T Park.

4. Go two blocks down Townsend and merge left to make a left turn on 2nd Street. 2nd Street is a designated "Bike Boulevard" in San Francisco. It's still narrow so you may need to take the lane to be safe. Don't worry -- city drivers expect this behavior from bicyclists.

5. Go five blocks on 2nd to Howard Street.

6. Turn left on Howard. Traffic is crazy and there are no bike lanes, but you'll do fine.

7. Moscone is a couple of blocks down on Howard. There's a plaza with bike racks and handrails and parking meters to lock your bike to. I'm told bikes are allowed to park for free in the parking garage, but I'm not certain of this. Be sure your bike is securely locked. Bikes are not permitted inside the Moscone.

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