Protected bike lanes, transit-only lanes, and car-free streets help people shift trips away from cars, reducing car traffic and demand for parking, among other benefits (e.g. roadway safety, climate action).
We need leaders who prioritize data-proven solutions to these problems.
If SFMTA wants people to shift trips, it needs to install best-practice designs — like curbside protected bike lanes with protected intersections and traffic diverters — rather than half-measures like the Valencia Street center bikeway and transit-only lanes that lack separation.
SFMTA continues to delay or water down bike and transit projects to capitulate to the people who oppose improvements — including SFFD — which results in ineffective infrastructure (e.g. Valencia center bikeway, Masonic “raised” bike lane, Slow Streets).
Rather saying “we’re giving people choices” or “prioritizing safety,” SFMTA and electeds should frame these improvements as beneficial for people who drive/use cars (e.g. reducing car traffic and demand for parking).
San Franciscans — and Americans — are self-interested people.
The great news is that the improvements do, in fact, benefit people who drive/use cars by reducing car traffic and demand for parking — this is backed up by mountains of data and empirical research!
The improvements also increase economic activity and revenue for local business.
SFMTA/policymakers should also share data and directly dispel misinformation spread by opponents of sustainable transportation and roadway safety — stop acting like opponents are good-faith or well-intentioned people, and educate the press about the facts behind the improvements!
This looks/sounds horrendous and is terrible for people, our city, and the planet.
SFMTA and policymakers continue to try to “make streets and transportation work for every person and mode of transportation” (aka maintain the status quo of car-dominated and prioritized streets).
@migurski hard same; I assume a lot of it is a combination of Breed meddling and burning out against stubborn bureaucracy, but that can’t be the whole story.
Now more than ever, we need to end car-centricity, engage in green infill and end the housing crisis by financing non market solutions (co-ops and land trusts and even gov housing).
Housing first for low cost of living and stable commercial rents, to stabilize wage pressure and buff disposable income, to the benefit of us all (and small business)
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