The death of 30-year-old Tess Rothstein in a bicycle collision in San Francisco’s South of Market neighborhood Friday has prompted an outpouring of grief from shocked friends and coworkers and anger from frustrated cyclists.
Rothstein, a Berkeley resident, was riding a Ford GoBike Plus around 8:15 a.m. Friday when she was struck by a commercial truck in the area of Sixth and Howard streets. She died at the scene.
A design researcher, Rothstein had worked for Medium and Airbnb in recent years.
Medium on Saturday issued a statement on Twitter that said they were mourning Rothstein’s loss.
“Tess was courageously curious and open-hearted, and we feel lucky to have worked with her,” the company said. “Our condolences go to her family.”
Chris Lehane, head of policy at Airbnb, said in a Tweet that Rothstein “brought boldness and curiosity to everything she did, and her friends and coworkers knew her to be warm and selfless.”
Rothstein’s death, which some witness accounts suggest may have been caused when she swerved to avoid a car door opening in front of her, has also spurred bicycle advocates and riders to intensify calls for protected lanes in that area and elsewhere in The City.
On Friday evening, a large group of demonstrators from the group “People Protected Bike Lanes” stepped out into the street to protect the bike lane with their bodies, in a visual demonstration of what was needed to keep cyclists safe.
The San Francisco Bicycle Coalition said bluntly in a Twitter statement Friday evening, “a protected bike lane would have saved this person’s life. Where infrastructure stops, people die.”
“No more thoughts and prayers; action is long overdue.”
Supervisor Matt Haney, who responded to the scene of the crash, called for a protected bike lane in the area on Friday, while Mayor London Breed issued a statement noting that long-term safety improvements were coming to Howard Street and promising “short-term safety enhancements” in the near term.
Tess Rothstein was killed today by San Francisco’s deadly streets.
She and I lived in the same co-op in college. 2 years ahead of me in school. We shared dinners and space on porch swings. RIP. https://t.co/zZ2eOv45lL
— fry (@anniefryman) March 9, 2019
I’m devastated about the tragic death of my friend and colleague Tess Rothstein who died on her commute by bike to work yesterday morning. I remember interviewing her before she joined Airbnb and thinking, “we don’t deserve her”. She taught me so much. I will miss her.
— Rebecca Gray (@tekno_reba) March 9, 2019
We are deeply saddened by the loss of Tess Rothstein. As our colleague, she brought boldness and curiosity to everything she did, and her friends and co-workers knew her to be warm and selfless. Our hearts go out to her friends and loved ones.
— Chris Lehane (@chrislehane) March 9, 2019
Tess Rothstein was a researcher on Airbnb Experiences. She sent me a kind, supportive message Friday. She died in a bicycling accident 30 minutes later. I'm heartbroken and in shock. I don't like to talk about co-workers as family. But we spend 80% of our lives together. We are.
— Sadia Latifi (@sadialatifi) March 9, 2019
Airbnb Research is mourning for our beloved colleague Tess Rothstein, who passed in a tragic bike accident yesterday. Tess was a model of confident, curious, and compassionate humanity for all of us. Sending love to Tess's family. We will miss her so much. pic.twitter.com/JfHjo43uTu
— Judd Antin (@juddantin) March 9, 2019
I’m still in shock over the news of Tess Rothstein’s death. She was an amazing researcher – empathetic, kind, curious. A great addition to our design team at Medium. A wonderful person. My prayers for her and her family. pic.twitter.com/ZAjL25Dowm
— Andrew (@AndrewCrow) March 9, 2019
I’m still in shock over the news of Tess Rothstein’s death. She was an amazing researcher – empathetic, kind, curious. A great addition to our design team at Medium. A wonderful person. My prayers for her and her family. pic.twitter.com/ZAjL25Dowm
— Andrew (@AndrewCrow) March 9, 2019
A protected bike lane would have saved this person's life. Where infrastructure stops, people die.
Read our statement about this morning's traffic fatality. No more thoughts & prayers; action is long overdue.https://t.co/E67oH9IChS
— SF Bicycle Coalition (@sfbike) March 8, 2019
Look how much space on Howard @sfmta_muni dedicates to cars (the most dangerous & climate catastrophic use of urban space) 60ft for cars. 3ft of doorzone for bikes. 1,000s of ppl bike & scoot this street daily. Every block should be as safe as this lane was for 1 hour last night https://t.co/NuAC1eTKmG
— People Protected 💔 (@PeopleProtected) March 9, 2019
On 2 hours notice, a few hundred people assembled for a @PeopleProtected bike lane on Howard after today's terrible tragedy.
Now it's your turn. Do better @sfmta_muni.
Thank you for the immediate support @MattHaneySF @LondonBreed. pic.twitter.com/K4GCoo5abj
— Danny Sauter (@DannySauter) March 9, 2019
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