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Anonymous
I don’t drive a car and I don’t ride a bike. I don’t have a dog in this fight.
in response to Tonight: Tell the SFMTA to Put Protected Bike Lanes on the Table for Polk
NoeValleyJim
Write City Hall. Seriously guys, we have friend in City Hall, they just need customer complaints so that they have the ammo to do something about it.
in response to SFMTA Adds Temporary Posts to Separate Fell Street Bike Lane From Traffic
NoeValleyJim
I am sorry you had a bad experience Mary. I am a regular rider and I sometimes find that I have to chastise other cyclists on their manners. I wish I had ridden with you so that you could have had my support.
in response to A Week of Bikes on BART: How's Your Commute Been?
NoeValleyJim
Man you must have some really bad luck. I have lived here much longer and have never been hit by a car as a pedestrian or as a cyclist. I am super careful and try to make eye contact with drivers though.
in response to On Bay Area News Stands: The Lack of Accountability for Drivers Who Kill
Brian Stokle
I went to the meeting tonight. I talked with many staff members and a handful of the general public. The tone of the meeting seemed very civil, both with Save Polk Street folks (i.e. Save Polk Street Parking for Merchants). I also saw the Wigg Party there and Bike Coalition bike parking offered.
For the record, I drove to the meeting so I could experience the Polk-Bush parking structure. On that issue, I easily found parking on the 3rd level (the first level with non-specialized parking) at 6:30pm. I paid $4 for parking 2 hours.
I strongly advocate protected bike lanes. Staff indicated this was not possible north of Post due to the 4′ reduction in curb-to-curb width of the roadway (north is 44′ 9″ wide, south of Post is 48′ 9″ wide). In addition staff said that cycle tracking would require separate bike signaling timing at most intersections, which would be a problem, I assume because the vehicle time window would be reduced too much in their determination.
Upon pressing the issue of protected bike lanes/cycle tracks, a staff member said the only way to include a protected bike lane (aka cycle track) north of Post would be to remove all street parking. The other way would be to make Polk Street one way the full length from Union St to Post St.
I have a big problem with it being one way, unless someone can convince me it would actually work. So, I tried to find other issues with a cycletrack BEYOND the aforementioned parking reduction, and the described signal timing issue. The only thing I can think of is loading and unloading of commercial vehicles.
And, even if this loading was only allowed on side streets, I’d worry about trucks parking in the cycle track anyway, especially without enforcement.
A two-way Polk with cycle track would have: 7′ cycle track, 4′ buffer, and 12′ traffic lane. Same on other side. If some loading were allowed on Polk, with 2 cycle tracks, loading zones would be mid block, and have painted markings with the cycle track. The configurations could be: 5′ bike lane (momentary 40′ of non-cycle track bike lane), 8′ loading zone, 10′ southbound traffic lane, 11′ northbound traffic lane, 3′ buffer, 5.5′ cycle track. One 40 or 30′ loading zone would be on each side of the ~255 foot long block. That’s 15% of the block that’s only has a single paint stripe separating the bike lane from a loading zone.
My question to frequent bike users would be, does this scenario with cycle tracks and a 40′ “bike lane zone” midblock sound safe enough? Is it still safer than the plans for curbside bike lanes or some buffered bike lanes on one side and a classic unbuffered bike land on the other?
With cycle tracks, they would have nowhere to park, apart from side streets. This is problematic in my eyes. side streets I’d venture to say that delivery
in response to Tonight: Tell the SFMTA to Put Protected Bike Lanes on the Table for Polk
jason
Want to show em?
in response to Tonight: Tell the SFMTA to Put Protected Bike Lanes on the Table for Polk
voltairesmistress
Thanks for the information Mario. I very much doubt that the loudest whining merchants even represent the majority of merchants, much less the neighborhood as a whole.
At meetings this subgroup has been immune to logic, data, or facts. They dehumanize cyclists to my face, because they are so set in their stereotypes they can’t imagine this 51 year old lady in street clothes and lipstick is a cyclist too. Their crowning success is making mindless noise. Chiu needs to start distinguishing the signal from the noise. I can’t see ever voting for him again otherwise — in District #3 or for mayor or whatever he aspires to.
in response to SF Still Waiting for David Chiu to Stand Up for Protected Bike Lanes on Polk
Guest
Outsiders? We’re not catering to tourists, as is the claim against central subway (i dont buy that either). If anything, bikers are local, the benefits are local, and the people are local. If bikes aren’t local.. are pedestrians? How about transit users? Where do the cars come from? Are people fighting this because they need a parking space at night? Are they afraid of SFpark raising meter rates to match market demand? WE are the people who live, work and play in San Francisco, and without us there is no Polk street. At least not a vibrant one. So why do people other than merchants believe that this wont work?
Create the project as it was originally designed and proposed. Then evaluate it’s effectiveness and how business is doing. If it doesn’t work, then change it, but if it does, then we’ll have another example of how great our streets can be.
in response to Tonight: Tell the SFMTA to Put Protected Bike Lanes on the Table for Polk
murphstahoe
I got some crappy video with great quotes.
in response to Tonight: Tell the SFMTA to Put Protected Bike Lanes on the Table for Polk
NoeValleyJim
How ironic for an American automobile driver to call someone else arrogant and entitled. How many Iraqis died for your comfort and convenience?
in response to Tonight: Tell the SFMTA to Put Protected Bike Lanes on the Table for Polk
Anonymous
Clearly, what we need is greater funding for suicide prevention efforts.
in response to On Bay Area News Stands: The Lack of Accountability for Drivers Who Kill
voltairesmistress
I was there from 5-6:15, and it did not seem to me that the SFMTA was beleaguered. Pained, maybe by the irrationality and vitriol of one side. And who wouldn’t be when the “Save Polk” folks were calling bicyclists “freaks” and “not normal people”, and an old lady told one SFMTA, “Everybody hates bicyclists, save every parking spot!” I am not exaggerating a single quote. Perhaps because I dressed well and arrived on foot, these selfish, scared, little people thought I was one of them and so shared their bile with me as a fellow “normal”. Enlightening, depressing, angering. I wrote comments, questions, talked to two SFMTA aides in a friendly, rational way and told them my family’s story of some members not being willing to brave Polk’s hazards (and therefore, get home) because of lack of vehicular cycling acumen. I was interviewed by a reporter, too, so I hope I represented things well. Whatever happens with Polk Street this year is not the end of this. Soldier on, my friends.
in response to Tonight: Tell the SFMTA to Put Protected Bike Lanes on the Table for Polk
Sean Rea
Fine, they can have their precious parking, and I in turn will never spend a dime there again.
in response to Tonight: Tell the SFMTA to Put Protected Bike Lanes on the Table for Polk
Mark Dreger
Over a decade huh?
in response to On Bay Area News Stands: The Lack of Accountability for Drivers Who Kill
Anonymous
I think Jim was trying to say the merchants should be heard but not OVERrepresented, just because they are willing to act like rowdy jerks at a public meeting, booing down opposing opinions and unwilling to negotiate on a plan that has majority public support.
in response to On Bay Area News Stands: The Lack of Accountability for Drivers Who Kill
J
In case Chiu is wondering, this is what it looks like when a politician prioritizes the expansion of the bike network and stands up to obstructionist merchants who spread misinformation.
http://www.streetsblog.org/2011/11/17/mark-viverito-misinformation-wont-stop-east-harlem-bike-lanes/
This is the physical incarnation of that support on the street:
http://www.streetsblog.org/2012/10/03/eyes-on-the-street-bike-pedestrian-and-bus-upgrades-coming-to-east-harlem/
http://www.streetsblog.org/2012/10/18/eyes-on-the-street-green-lane-sighting-on-second-avenue-at-122nd-street/
in response to SF Still Waiting for David Chiu to Stand Up for Protected Bike Lanes on Polk
Elizabeth
Went to the meeting. The SFMTA staff looked beleaguered, the Save Polk Street folks were out in full force and the folks I spoke to who didn’t fit neatly into either camp expressed conditional support for bikes lanes, with many saying that since they both drove, biked and walked, they saw all sides of the issue. Which is nice and all, but does not bode well for the future of separated bike lanes.
in response to Tonight: Tell the SFMTA to Put Protected Bike Lanes on the Table for Polk
Anonymous
I’ve been hit by a car twice–both times in a crosswalk with the right of way. Crosswalks and walk signals lull pedestrians into a false sense of security.
in response to On Bay Area News Stands: The Lack of Accountability for Drivers Who Kill
justin
“the city is forcing something on a community for the benefit of outsiders”
yes, parking.
in response to Tonight: Tell the SFMTA to Put Protected Bike Lanes on the Table for Polk
Anonymous
In both cases the city is forcing something on a community for the benefit of outsiders. The Save Polk Street people aren’t any different from the Freeway Revolt in substance. The bike lobby, like the highway lobby, has no idea how arrogant and entitled it appears to others. It is its own worst enemy.
in response to Tonight: Tell the SFMTA to Put Protected Bike Lanes on the Table for Polk
Mario Tanev
The article is about the lack of punishment when the driver is clearly at fault (which is a large portion of the problem). When the pedestrian is at fault, the damage is mostly on them – personal responsibility. But why should a pedestrian be responsible with their life for the luxury of an irresponsible driver?
in response to On Bay Area News Stands: The Lack of Accountability for Drivers Who Kill
murphstahoe
I don’t care but I’m sure you’ll tell us
in response to On Bay Area News Stands: The Lack of Accountability for Drivers Who Kill
NoeValleyJim
I usually donate the maximum amount allowed to my favorite Mayoral candidate and often knock on doors for them as well. It is unlikely that Chiu will have my support unless he shows some leadership on this issue.
in response to SF Still Waiting for David Chiu to Stand Up for Protected Bike Lanes on Polk
NoeValleyJim
This is the San Francisco Chronicle? How did this even happen? Did the Hearst family finally all die off or something?
in response to On Bay Area News Stands: The Lack of Accountability for Drivers Who Kill
justin
San Francisco’s typical Me-First attitude prevails again. It’s relatively cheap and easy for the average San Franciscan to drive wherever they please, so they are only too happy to do so, and understandably demand that that subsidized luxury continues.
Those of us that want a more livable city will probably have to wait for higher gas prices and a population crush to make driving and parking impractical, at which point the average citizen will demand respectable public transit and safe conditions for walking and biking. Until then, pedestrians will be run down in crosswalks, bicyclists will be harassed, and MUNI will crawl through the gridlock. Oh yeah, and Ed Lee.
in response to Tonight: Tell the SFMTA to Put Protected Bike Lanes on the Table for Polk
MoSt!
educate people to not walk into traffic…I’ve lived in SF for over a decade and the entitled nature of our populace is breeding stupidity.
in response to On Bay Area News Stands: The Lack of Accountability for Drivers Who Kill
MoSt!
Can I even tell you how many pedestrians walk in front of my car against the light? Take some personal responsibility and I promise to take mine.
in response to On Bay Area News Stands: The Lack of Accountability for Drivers Who Kill
Anonymous
You like to repeat that obviously false claim, as if repetition will somehow make it true. Freeways destroy urban neighborhoods; safe bicycle infrastructure improves urban neighborhoods.
in response to Tonight: Tell the SFMTA to Put Protected Bike Lanes on the Table for Polk
flossy
The current MUNI logo is perfect. It is the greatest logo of all time.
in response to Today's Headlines
anandakos
The reason for this reluctance to indict is that the police are part of the driving gang. They don’t like to be delayed by cyclists or pedestrians any more than other drivers. And of course, since most of them are howling narcissists, absolutely certain that their presence is the only thing standing between America and chaos, they should certainly not be delayed.
So they really don’t investigate the true causes (usually distracted or aggresive driving) that lead to pedestrian and cycle fatalities. They brush it under the rug and go for drinks with their driving buddies.
in response to On Bay Area News Stands: The Lack of Accountability for Drivers Who Kill
Anonymous
60 years ago, planners wanted to put a freeway down Polk. Today, it’s bike lanes. This whole brouhaha has shown one thing: the only thing that separates the bike lobby from the highway lobby is the size of their footprint. They are equally deaf to the wants of the community.
in response to Tonight: Tell the SFMTA to Put Protected Bike Lanes on the Table for Polk
Anonymous
*cough* First Amendment *cough*
in response to On Bay Area News Stands: The Lack of Accountability for Drivers Who Kill
gneiss
Not true. There are far more people on bikes who are not riding on sidewalks because bike lanes exist. The big complaint from pedestrians on Polk (and in areas of Market where there are no protected bike lanes) are that people ride on sidewalks. Ask yourself – why? Because it’s too dangerous to be in the street. Create safer bike infrastructure and like magic – no more cyclist on sidewalks.
in response to SFMTA Drops Protected Bike Lane Proposals for Most of Polk Street
voltairesmistress
As sympathetic as I am to Critical Mass’s perspective, their actions cause a great deal more political harm than good for the cause of active transportation and safety for all road users. To convert the vast middle, we have to be a lot more creative than CM has been.
in response to SFMTA Drops Protected Bike Lane Proposals for Most of Polk Street
voltairesmistress
Greg, you are right that there still is a sizable population of SF residents, mostly those who drive, that have a negative impression of bicyclists. But that is changing. And pretty soon, you are going to be part of a loud but insignificant minority. Enjoy your dominance, for it will gone before you know it.
in response to SFMTA Drops Protected Bike Lane Proposals for Most of Polk Street
Karen Lynn Allen
Actually, it’s the reverse. Close to 20% of San Francisco’s budget comes from property taxes (and this was in 2010) while only 4% of the budget comes from the portion of the sales tax that San Francisco gets to keep. (The majority of sales tax goes to the state.) Interestingly, the largest line item for San Francisco’s revenue is charges for services, at 29%.
in response to SFMTA Drops Protected Bike Lane Proposals for Most of Polk Street
murphstahoe
Mario – when I say no skills I am talking about basic safety and awareness. It was weird
in response to SF Still Waiting for David Chiu to Stand Up for Protected Bike Lanes on Polk
mikesonn
You aren’t the spawn of satan, stop with the straw man, but you do live in a very dense city – going slow and paying attention is necessary.
in response to SFMTA Drops Protected Bike Lane Proposals for Most of Polk Street
mikesonn
Even in stretches of car only lanes (e.g. 101/280) driver behavior is no better.
in response to SFMTA Drops Protected Bike Lane Proposals for Most of Polk Street
Greg
Well it’s possibly the same question – where would they go if not on a bike is likely the same as where did they come from? SF/SFMTA loves to talk about the increase in biking that has occurred/is occurring (with the hope that will continue) but what is just a critical to that is what is the decrease in car trips that is happening along with that. Where are those numbers?
in response to SFMTA Drops Protected Bike Lane Proposals for Most of Polk Street
Greg
Even in stretches of protected bike lanes (e.g. on Market) bike behavior is no better.
in response to SFMTA Drops Protected Bike Lane Proposals for Most of Polk Street
Greg
It’s very dangerous – drivers now have to look for peds in the crosswalk ahead of them (many of which are running out to make the light as the countdown is at “1″) PLUS bikers passing them on the right when you’re in the right lane with your right hand signal on. The bikers just assume you are looking for them to pass you on the right and will see you. That is an insane assumption. We need more education across the board on this.
I know, I know, I’m the spawn of Satan since I drive in SF sometimes. Hard to cart around my kids and 150 pounds of little league equipment to the Presidio on a bike.
in response to SFMTA Drops Protected Bike Lane Proposals for Most of Polk Street
Anonymous
A prior generation of San Franciscans, unable to attain any modicum of safety while riding a bicycle on streets given entirely to motorized transportation, organized regular protest rides to force the issue from outside a callous and biased system.
Their message: We are San Franciscans: our lives matter as much as every other San Franciscan’s life does, even when we are riding a bicycle. We deserve and demand the same level of basic safety while riding as we enjoy when we are not riding. And we are going to come back time and again, and flood the streets with our bodies and our bicycles, until our safety is a priority and critical change has been effected.
Critical Mass is, at its most fundamental level, a protest against a system rigged in favor of motorists and against everyone else. During the years when San Francisco politicians could credibly claim the city would soon prioritize the safety of San Franciscans on bicycles over the convenience of motorists–”Just wait until that darned injunction is lifted!”–Critical Mass became something of a ritualized party ride.
Nowadays, however, it is becoming increasingly clear the system is failing again, with empty promises and attenuated intentions and no political will to effect the change we need to protect San Franciscans on bicycles from injury and death under the wheels of the cars-first lobby.
It is time to reclaim the traditional bicycle protest ride, and I nominate Polk Street as a permanent part of the route for every Critical Mass protest going forward.
in response to SFMTA Drops Protected Bike Lane Proposals for Most of Polk Street
Ryan Brady
I think the bigger question is “what if all those people on bikes were in cars instead?” Or even on muni… the trams are *packed*.
in response to SFMTA Drops Protected Bike Lane Proposals for Most of Polk Street
Ryan Brady
This is idiotic. Bike facilities will improve the behavior of the average cyclist, because it will get little kids, moms, and dads onto the roadways along with the lycra speedsters and trick bike hoodlums.
in response to SFMTA Drops Protected Bike Lane Proposals for Most of Polk Street
Jim
Quit allowing merchants and “residents” living in the 1950s from swaying public opinion about what should be the easiest mode to get around.
in response to On Bay Area News Stands: The Lack of Accountability for Drivers Who Kill
Greg
Property taxes, while collected locally, are generally directed to Sac and then distributed throughout the state. Cities get sales taxes – they want that $$.
in response to SFMTA Drops Protected Bike Lane Proposals for Most of Polk Street
mikesonn
Please read:
http://sf.streetsblog.org/2013/04/30/on-bay-area-news-stands-the-lack-of-accountability-for-drivers-who-kill/
in response to SFMTA Drops Protected Bike Lane Proposals for Most of Polk Street
Ryan Brady
I have no idea how I’m supposed to find that out about local politicians.
in response to SFMTA Drops Protected Bike Lane Proposals for Most of Polk Street
Greg
Biking is way up in SF per the stats and visual evidence. Is there any evidence of the reduction in car trips at the same time? Stats on where the new bikers are coming from – how they used to get around? I don’t see visually any reduction in cars – just an increase in bikers.
in response to SFMTA Drops Protected Bike Lane Proposals for Most of Polk Street