Comments on: Advocates Upset By Prospect of Further Bike Lane Delays http://sf.streetsblog.org/2009/05/19/advocates-upset-by-prospect-of-further-bike-lane-delays/ Covering San Francisco's livable streets movement Sun, 21 Mar 2010 14:45:01 -0800 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8 hourly 1 By: marcos http://sf.streetsblog.org/2009/05/19/advocates-upset-by-prospect-of-further-bike-lane-delays/comment-page-1/#comment-5691 marcos Fri, 22 May 2009 00:19:40 +0000 http://sf.streetsblog.org/?p=2212#comment-5691 Even if LOS for autos were replaced with another metric, delay for Muni is a statutory impact under CEQA and must be disclosed as part of an EIR or mitigated in a mitigated neg dec. I think its a legitimate debate as to whether it is more important to prevent delays to Muni or to remove auto lanes for bike lanes that end up delaying Muni. Muni must remain an attractive option if we are to reduce the number of autos on the streets and make cycling safer citywide, not just on the bike lanes. -marc Even if LOS for autos were replaced with another metric, delay for Muni is a statutory impact under CEQA and must be disclosed as part of an EIR or mitigated in a mitigated neg dec.

I think its a legitimate debate as to whether it is more important to prevent delays to Muni or to remove auto lanes for bike lanes that end up delaying Muni.

Muni must remain an attractive option if we are to reduce the number of autos on the streets and make cycling safer citywide, not just on the bike lanes.

-marc

]]> By: anonymouse http://sf.streetsblog.org/2009/05/19/advocates-upset-by-prospect-of-further-bike-lane-delays/comment-page-1/#comment-5677 anonymouse Thu, 21 May 2009 16:12:36 +0000 http://sf.streetsblog.org/?p=2212#comment-5677 Indeed, the impact of private motorists are the ONLY real impacts here. The "impacts" of the bicycle facility improvements really just mean that there will be less space for cars, and they will get in the way of Muni more. Indeed, the impact of private motorists are the ONLY real impacts here. The "impacts" of the bicycle facility improvements really just mean that there will be less space for cars, and they will get in the way of Muni more.

]]> By: the greasy bear http://sf.streetsblog.org/2009/05/19/advocates-upset-by-prospect-of-further-bike-lane-delays/comment-page-1/#comment-5664 the greasy bear Wed, 20 May 2009 19:43:21 +0000 http://sf.streetsblog.org/?p=2212#comment-5664 Private motorists negatively impact every single bus line in every part of the entire city of San Francisco. Only a hypocrite would tolerate those massive negative impacts while demanding zero accomodation for cyclists on our shared public roadways. Rob Anderson, are you that hypocrite? Private motorists negatively impact every single bus line in every part of the entire city of San Francisco. Only a hypocrite would tolerate those massive negative impacts while demanding zero accomodation for cyclists on our shared public roadways.

Rob Anderson, are you that hypocrite?

]]> By: Rob Anderson http://sf.streetsblog.org/2009/05/19/advocates-upset-by-prospect-of-further-bike-lane-delays/comment-page-1/#comment-5660 Rob Anderson Wed, 20 May 2009 17:35:34 +0000 http://sf.streetsblog.org/?p=2212#comment-5660 Still, a number of the proposed projects will negatively impact Muni, as the DEIR itself tells us. Still, a number of the proposed projects will negatively impact Muni, as the DEIR itself tells us.

]]> By: Jeffrey W. Baker http://sf.streetsblog.org/2009/05/19/advocates-upset-by-prospect-of-further-bike-lane-delays/comment-page-1/#comment-5656 Jeffrey W. Baker Wed, 20 May 2009 16:32:00 +0000 http://sf.streetsblog.org/?p=2212#comment-5656 I wouldn't expect an ignorant carpetbagger like Rob Anderson to know it, but the Transit First Policy specifically mentions bicycles eight times, including "Decisions regarding the use of limited public street and sidewalk space shall encourage the use of public rights of way by pedestrians, bicyclists, and public transit, and shall strive to reduce traffic and improve public health and safety." I wouldn't expect an ignorant carpetbagger like Rob Anderson to know it, but the Transit First Policy specifically mentions bicycles eight times, including "Decisions regarding the use of limited public street and sidewalk space shall encourage the use of public rights of way by pedestrians, bicyclists, and public transit, and shall strive to reduce traffic and improve public health and safety."

]]> By: Rob Anderson http://sf.streetsblog.org/2009/05/19/advocates-upset-by-prospect-of-further-bike-lane-delays/comment-page-1/#comment-5654 Rob Anderson Wed, 20 May 2009 16:13:13 +0000 http://sf.streetsblog.org/?p=2212#comment-5654 What do bike lanes have to do with "transit first"? Nothing. In fact a number of projects studied in the DEIR will, in the words of the report, have "significant unavoidable impacts" on Muni lines. What do bike lanes have to do with "transit first"? Nothing. In fact a number of projects studied in the DEIR will, in the words of the report, have "significant unavoidable impacts" on Muni lines.

]]> By: marcos http://sf.streetsblog.org/2009/05/19/advocates-upset-by-prospect-of-further-bike-lane-delays/comment-page-1/#comment-5640 marcos Wed, 20 May 2009 03:23:58 +0000 http://sf.streetsblog.org/?p=2212#comment-5640 @Josh, for a few years back there, we could have done better had we flipped a coin to determine which path to take on moving the bike plan. Had the City dealt with the LOS issue instead of pretending it did not exist in the years leading up to this legal morass, we'd not be in this position today. In many cultures, this record of getting it wrong time and again would shame individuals into resignation. -marc @Josh, for a few years back there, we could have done better had we flipped a coin to determine which path to take on moving the bike plan.

Had the City dealt with the LOS issue instead of pretending it did not exist in the years leading up to this legal morass, we'd not be in this position today.

In many cultures, this record of getting it wrong time and again would shame individuals into resignation.

-marc

]]> By: Josh http://sf.streetsblog.org/2009/05/19/advocates-upset-by-prospect-of-further-bike-lane-delays/comment-page-1/#comment-5638 Josh Wed, 20 May 2009 02:11:19 +0000 http://sf.streetsblog.org/?p=2212#comment-5638 Lets not forget to thank City staff at the Planning Department, and also dozens of consultants, in pursuit of this EIR. How many jobs did the SF taxpayer/MTA float, because of a guy looking for a soapbox for his (abysmal) run for Supervisor? Lets not forget to thank City staff at the Planning Department, and also dozens of consultants, in pursuit of this EIR.

How many jobs did the SF taxpayer/MTA float, because of a guy looking for a soapbox for his (abysmal) run for Supervisor?

]]> By: taomom http://sf.streetsblog.org/2009/05/19/advocates-upset-by-prospect-of-further-bike-lane-delays/comment-page-1/#comment-5630 taomom Tue, 19 May 2009 23:18:59 +0000 http://sf.streetsblog.org/?p=2212#comment-5630 CBrinkman, Safe and dedicated space--I completely agree we should be satisfied with nothing less! For me, the stretches of Fell and Oak between Scott and Baker connecting the Panhandle to the Wiggle are The Three Blocks of Terror. (And the Arco station on Fell at Divisadero is The Gas Station from Hell.) CBrinkman,
Safe and dedicated space--I completely agree we should be satisfied with nothing less! For me, the stretches of Fell and Oak between Scott and Baker connecting the Panhandle to the Wiggle are The Three Blocks of Terror. (And the Arco station on Fell at Divisadero is The Gas Station from Hell.)

]]> By: CBrinkman http://sf.streetsblog.org/2009/05/19/advocates-upset-by-prospect-of-further-bike-lane-delays/comment-page-1/#comment-5626 CBrinkman Tue, 19 May 2009 21:46:40 +0000 http://sf.streetsblog.org/?p=2212#comment-5626 Yay MTA - keep focused! And then let's move a bunch of those bike lanes between the parked cars and the curbs and widen them so two cyclists can ride side by side chatting and another cyclist can still safely pass the two chatting cyclists - Folsom, Howard, Oak and Fell would be good places to start. No more speeding cars within ten inches of your handlebars! I will not be satisfied with bike lanes that are just paint on asphalt - I want safe and dedicated space. Yay MTA - keep focused!

And then let's move a bunch of those bike lanes between the parked cars and the curbs and widen them so two cyclists can ride side by side chatting and another cyclist can still safely pass the two chatting cyclists - Folsom, Howard, Oak and Fell would be good places to start. No more speeding cars within ten inches of your handlebars! I will not be satisfied with bike lanes that are just paint on asphalt - I want safe and dedicated space.

]]> By: Leah http://sf.streetsblog.org/2009/05/19/advocates-upset-by-prospect-of-further-bike-lane-delays/comment-page-1/#comment-5623 Leah Tue, 19 May 2009 21:20:05 +0000 http://sf.streetsblog.org/?p=2212#comment-5623 Thanks to Streetsblog for its ever-vigilant attention to keeping the wheels of progress turning for sustainable transportation. On behalf of the SF Bicycle Coalition, I want to thank the staff of the Municipal Transportation Agency (MTA) for keeping these Bike Network improvement projects on track. Our concerns about critical proposals being pulled apart have been addressed and we're happy to hear that they're moving forward for official consideration of approval. I want to thank the MTA staff who have been putting a huge amount of work into this effort. We know it's no small feat and they deserve credit for staying focused on meeting the MTA's & the City's goal of completing the Citywide Bike Network as soon as possible. Most importantly now, we look forward to the MTA Board of Director's consideration of the whole package of more than 50 Bike Network improvements -- more than doubling the number of bike lanes. We urge them, too, to keep their eyes on the prize of a safer, more bike-friendly San Francisco by approving the entire Network package. Remember, the Bike Network is only as strong as its weakest link. Let's fill those gaps! Thanks to Streetsblog for its ever-vigilant attention to keeping the wheels of progress turning for sustainable transportation. On behalf of the SF Bicycle Coalition, I want to thank the staff of the Municipal Transportation Agency (MTA) for keeping these Bike Network improvement projects on track. Our concerns about critical proposals being pulled apart have been addressed and we're happy to hear that they're moving forward for official consideration of approval.
I want to thank the MTA staff who have been putting a huge amount of work into this effort. We know it's no small feat and they deserve credit for staying focused on meeting the MTA's & the City's goal of completing the Citywide Bike Network as soon as possible.
Most importantly now, we look forward to the MTA Board of Director's consideration of the whole package of more than 50 Bike Network improvements -- more than doubling the number of bike lanes. We urge them, too, to keep their eyes on the prize of a safer, more bike-friendly San Francisco by approving the entire Network package. Remember, the Bike Network is only as strong as its weakest link. Let's fill those gaps!

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