Mayor Edwin M. Lee today launched a program to provide park users the opportunity to bike around and between parks in the City. Justin Herman Plaza, Union Square, Marina Green and two locations in Golden Gate Park are now part of the ParkWide Bike Rental concession that provides a full range of bicycles including tandems and surreys and for the first time allow visitors to rent a bike in one park and drop it off in another park location. This new amenity provides a greener, healthier and more convenient way for visitors to see the City and its parks.

“The launch of ParkWide Bike Rentals in our City will benefit San Francisco small businesses, our Recreation and Park Department and the millions of people who visit our parks every year,” said Mayor Lee. “San Francisco is truly a bike-friendly town, and our partnership with ParkWide helps create more opportunities for our citizens to get out, get active and see our world class parks.” Read more.

Mayor Edwin M. Lee today issued the following statement on Board of Supervisors’ unanimous final approval of the proposed Charter amendment for pension and health benefits reform for the November 2011 ballot:

“After months of discussions with labor, business, community and City leaders, I am confident our consensus pension reform measure is comprehensive, fair, balanced, and responsible.

I am grateful to Supervisor Sean Elsbernd for leading these reform efforts to restructure San Francisco’s pension and health benefits, and to Supervisors John Avalos, David Chiu, Carmen Chu, Malia Cohen, Mark Farrell, Scott Wiener and David Campos for cosponsoring our overall strategy to bring structural reforms to our City’s long term financial planning and budgeting. I thank all the Supervisors for their vote today. Read more.

The San Francisco’s Mayor’s Office, the Department of Building Inspection (DBI), and the San Francisco Fire Department, today announced a City-wide outreach drive to inform residents that effective July 1st a new State law requires owners to install immediately carbon monoxide detectors to safeguard residents’ lives and safety.

The federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimate carbon monoxide (CO), which is an invisible, odorless and colorless gas created by the incomplete combustion of carbon fuels, kills 500 people a year and injures another 20,000 people nationwide.  To prevent these accidental deaths and injuries, the California legislature enacted SB 183 – mandating residential property owners to install carbon monoxide detectors in existing dwelling units having a fossil fuel burning heater or appliance, fireplace, or attached garage. Read more.

Mayor Edwin M. Lee and Supervisor Sean Elsbernd today introduced a proposed Charter amendment for pension and health benefits reform for the November 2011 ballot. After months of working with labor leaders, business leaders, community-based organizations and the City family, the consensus reform measure would restructure San Francisco’s pension and health benefits. The proposed Charter amendment is co-sponsored by Board of Supervisors President David Chiu and Supervisors Carmen Chu, Malia Cohen, Mark Farrell and Scott Wiener.

“Our consensus pension reform measure is comprehensive, balanced, and responsible. It will realize the savings we need so that we can protect vital City services now and in the future,” said Mayor Lee. “It is an important part of our overall strategy to bring structural reforms to San Francisco’s long term financial planning and budgeting and ensures that we have a system that San Francisco can afford, while providing pension and health care to its employees.” Read more.

As of today, currently there is no danger to San Francisco residents from Japan's nuclear emergency. The San Francisco Department of Public Health does not recommend taking potassium iodide. Potassium iodide can have serious side effects and should not be taken unless recommended. We are monitoring the situation closely and will alert the public if recommendations change.

For the latest information, please

• call the California Department of Public Health hotline number
  at (916) 341-3947 or

• visit the DPH web site:
  http://www.sfdph.org/dph/comupg/aboutdph/newsMedia/emergency_notice.asp