This monster pothole lurked on Townsend Street in the shade of the ramp connecting 6th Street to I-280. Under normal circumstances, we find the shrill complaints of motorists about pavement quality to be rather tedious. To motorists, we self-righteously sneer, "Why did you buy that SUV, anyway? If you want smooth roads, move to the country. Or Texas."

The San Francisco Bicycle Coalition takes a broader view: poor pavement quality isn't just an inconvenience, it makes roads more dangerous for both motorists and cyclists. As part of a "Good Roads" campaign, the SFBC has recruited "Lane Stewards" to identify road hazards and call them in to the Department of Public Works.