[Carfreeliving] Complete streets in SF?

[Joshua Switzky]

I actually don't agree that bike lanes should be accommodated on ALL
streets, particularly Van Ness and Geary. These major transit streets need
major transit infrastructure. It will be hard enough to devote existing
shared lanes to transit only, and to suggest that we ought to either reduce
autos to only one lane in each direction or get rid of the curb parking
(these are really the only options), I think we would be both butting our
heads against a brick wall and suggesting somewhat extreme solutions to
problems that don't necessarily exist.  I personally don't think that Van
Ness or Geary need bike lanes if there are immediately parallel streets
that are bike-friendly and serve the same corridor. I think there are far
more important and worthwhile battles to fight than these. Let's focus on
just completing the bike network and throw our full weight behind these key
transit projects. These streets needs a lot of work just to make them good
transit streets.
my two cents.
-j



                                                                                                                                       
                      Emily Drennen                                                                                                    
                      <bicyclesf at yahoo.com>             To:       Carfreeliving at livablecity.org                                        
                      Sent by:                          cc:       Walk SF Board <board at walksf.org>                                     
                      Carfreeliving-bounces at liva        Subject:  [Carfreeliving] Complete streets in SF?                              
                      blecity.org                                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                       
                                                                                                                                       
                      05/25/2005 02:14 PM                                                                                              
                                                                                                                                       




 Hi all-


 I am wondering how folks feel about working together to pass a "Complete
 the Streets" policy here in SF (see www.thunderheadalliance.org for more
 info). The complete street concept is that *all* streets should serve
 bikes and walkers (and transit, where applicable)- not just certain
 streets.


 Politically, the bike network concept has succeeded in shifting public and
 political support towards accommodating bikes. And, while the network idea
 has been so far successful for bikes, I think we need to look beyond the
 network model to expecting bike accommodations on all city streets as part
 of a "complete street" model. (Peds, esp., need to be accommodated on
 every street because networks just aren't appropriate for peds.)


 I know the SFBC has a lot of work and policy already invested in the bike
 network concept. Any thoughts about adding in a new layer through a
 "complete streets" push, while retaining a focus on the core route
 network?


 An example of the many places where the bike network model bites us in the
 butt: the redesigns on Geary and Van Ness Avenues to include BRT don't
 include bike facilities b/c "they aren't on the bike network". These great
 streets could (and should!) include bike lanes, even if Polk St bike lanes
 are right near Van Ness, and there are other bike lanes on streets near
 Geary.


 Ross' resolution to require bike and ped accommodations whenever roads are
 built/rebuilt (the local "good roads" bill) is a great start. Is anybody
 involved with his office on this resolution? This could be the vehicle (so
 to speak) for making complete streets a city policy. Anybody interested in
 helping on this?


 Thanks,


 Emily






Emily Drennen

415/863-2248
bicyclesf at yahoo.com
www.emilydrennen.org

Acting Executive Director, Walk San Francisco
Advisory Council Member, Bay Area Air Quality Management District
Citizen's Advisory Committee Member, Metropolitian Transportation Agency
Past Chair, SF Bicycle Advisory Committee


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