Voices: SFMTA approves $1.5 million Bicycle Coalition contract despite ‘red flag’

by Patricia Arack and  Tomasita Medál : eltecolote – excerpt

It was a routine SFMTA board meeting on May 7.

On the agenda was a proposal to award a $1,494,736 contract to the San Francisco Bicycle Coalition Education Fund over a period of three years, with two options to renew the agreement for a period of 1 year each, for a total of two additional years.

The grant would “provide bicycle education classes, scooter education classes, and outreach services,” and is geared to serve adults 25-60, 64% of them women, with a few classes for very young children. Originally listed as an item on the consent calendar, the resolution (Item 10.4) became a matter of discussion after a community member asked to comment.

The board questioned why the Bicycle Coalition was the only nonprofit to receive the city’s $1.5 million contract. Tracey Lin, SFMTA’s Travel Choices Manager, said that after the contracting team reached out to about 180 contacts and other organizations, the Bicycle Coalition Education Fund was the only nonprofit that ended up submitting a proposal to receive funds. “So only one bidder, so only one awardee?,” asked Board Vice Chair Stephanie Cajina. “It’s a red flag.”… (more)