Northern California - Bike at San Francisco 3rd Street?

Hi! I started biking during college at San Luis Obispo. I recently move back, and my family is now living around Carroll Ave at 3rd Street (Near the place with the park?). We used to leave at Mission near Glen Park, where everyone thing is within walking distance. Now it takes 1-2 hours to get to anywhere by public transport. It is quite depressing, and it feels very unreliable when all I got is the T-car. I give up on biking to Glen Park (From what I see, it is pretty unsafe. Have to cross the highway, too.), but it would be nice to know if I can bike to downtown once in a while.

I know many consider 3rd Street a gangster area, but it is actually not that bad, and I know the area is pretty safe during daytime. It has gotten better with the recent redevelopment works.

But, I have also heard that it is a pretty bad road for biking. I guess it is because it's narrow down by the T-train and a straight road for continuous traffic? Has anyone bike through 3rd street in the last year or so? What are your experiences and advice?

Check the bike map http://www.sfbike.org/download/SF_Bike_Map_2010.pdf

Actually, I did look at the bike map, but I am curious about the actual experience. After all, having a bike lane is different than having a good biking condition and environment.

I rode from Burlingame to GG Bridge about a month ago, and took 3rd from the 101 overpass until AT&T park.

The roads are hit or miss, while you're not going to run into a 2 inch pothole, you're also not going to be on freshly paved.

The developments and muni rail improvements did improve the dodgy parts (pavement and neighborhood). I would ride it again during non-peak hours. I think with the hustle and bustle of an urban neighborhood and the the 2 lane thoroughfare you get through 3rd, it would be much safer as a weekend morning ride than a main commuter road. At least until you earn your stripes in urban commuting, then by all means go ahead and enjoy riding.

After weeks of sitting on muni and getting my first-ever bike gloves yesterday, I finally decided to ride today! Just saw rokphotography's post when I was taking out my helmets and gloves. Thank you for the advice! While it is not a weekend, I did end up riding in the afternoon at around 12:45 - just a bit after lunch and before school ends. It was a pretty nice ride other than the one stranger screaming (Not in mean way, in a very concern pleading way. I think he mistook me as a little high schooler like most people) "Girl! Hey! Get off the road!" and the series of railroad track I forgot to get off the bike for (Bumpy, bumpy, bumpy. Ouch! My sit does not prepare me for this!). I feel kind of silly for forgetting the railroad track. I have only been staring at the road everyday through T-train the last few week, but all in all, it was a good successful ride. I actually see more bikers than I expected, and the whole ride only took me about 25 minutes (Seems like such a long road...). I have a bit of saddle sore because I haven't bike this summer, but the glove is a godsend. Why did I never brought a bike glove in college? It's comfy, warm, and looks so cool... ok, I should stop rambling now :D

Cool it's all about getting out there and doing it. I rode that route before just stay to the right. Happy biking!

Glad you liked the ride, it does get bumpy in some parts, but it's not too bad overall. What bike are you riding if you don't mind telling?

Glad some people are riding in SF itself!

I have a Giant Boulder SE, but I replace the mountain slicks with more road friendly ones. Took me forever to find a used yet decent bike of that size (12.5"), but worth it - I don't think I have ever bike so far!