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  1.  

    jason

    Want to show em?

    April 30, 2013
    in response to Tonight: Tell the SFMTA to Put Protected Bike Lanes on the Table for Polk
  2.  

    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.

    April 30, 2013
    in response to SF Still Waiting for David Chiu to Stand Up for Protected Bike Lanes on Polk
  3.  

    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.

    April 30, 2013
    in response to Tonight: Tell the SFMTA to Put Protected Bike Lanes on the Table for Polk
  4.  

    murphstahoe

    I got some crappy video with great quotes.

    April 30, 2013
    in response to Tonight: Tell the SFMTA to Put Protected Bike Lanes on the Table for Polk
  5.  

    NoeValleyJim

    How ironic for an American automobile driver to call someone else arrogant and entitled. How many Iraqis died for your comfort and convenience?

    April 30, 2013
    in response to Tonight: Tell the SFMTA to Put Protected Bike Lanes on the Table for Polk
  6.  

    Anonymous

    Clearly, what we need is greater funding for suicide prevention efforts.

    April 30, 2013
    in response to On Bay Area News Stands: The Lack of Accountability for Drivers Who Kill
  7.  

    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.

    April 30, 2013
    in response to Tonight: Tell the SFMTA to Put Protected Bike Lanes on the Table for Polk
  8.  

    Sean Rea

    Fine, they can have their precious parking, and I in turn will never spend a dime there again.

    April 30, 2013
    in response to Tonight: Tell the SFMTA to Put Protected Bike Lanes on the Table for Polk
  9.  

    Mark Dreger

    Over a decade huh?

    April 30, 2013
    in response to On Bay Area News Stands: The Lack of Accountability for Drivers Who Kill
  10.  

    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.

    April 30, 2013
    in response to On Bay Area News Stands: The Lack of Accountability for Drivers Who Kill
  11.  

    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/

    April 30, 2013
    in response to SF Still Waiting for David Chiu to Stand Up for Protected Bike Lanes on Polk
  12.  

    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.

    April 30, 2013
    in response to Tonight: Tell the SFMTA to Put Protected Bike Lanes on the Table for Polk
  13.  

    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.

    April 30, 2013
    in response to On Bay Area News Stands: The Lack of Accountability for Drivers Who Kill
  14.  

    justin

    “the city is forcing something on a community for the benefit of outsiders”

    yes, parking.

    April 30, 2013
    in response to Tonight: Tell the SFMTA to Put Protected Bike Lanes on the Table for Polk
  15.  

    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.

    April 30, 2013
    in response to Tonight: Tell the SFMTA to Put Protected Bike Lanes on the Table for Polk
  16.  

    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?

    April 30, 2013
    in response to On Bay Area News Stands: The Lack of Accountability for Drivers Who Kill
  17.  

    murphstahoe

    I don’t care but I’m sure you’ll tell us

    April 30, 2013
    in response to On Bay Area News Stands: The Lack of Accountability for Drivers Who Kill
  18.  

    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.

    April 30, 2013
    in response to SF Still Waiting for David Chiu to Stand Up for Protected Bike Lanes on Polk
  19.  

    NoeValleyJim

    This is the San Francisco Chronicle? How did this even happen? Did the Hearst family finally all die off or something?

    April 30, 2013
    in response to On Bay Area News Stands: The Lack of Accountability for Drivers Who Kill
  20.  

    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.

    April 30, 2013
    in response to Tonight: Tell the SFMTA to Put Protected Bike Lanes on the Table for Polk
  21.  

    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.

    April 30, 2013
    in response to On Bay Area News Stands: The Lack of Accountability for Drivers Who Kill
  22.  

    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.

    April 30, 2013
    in response to On Bay Area News Stands: The Lack of Accountability for Drivers Who Kill
  23.  

    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.

    April 30, 2013
    in response to Tonight: Tell the SFMTA to Put Protected Bike Lanes on the Table for Polk
  24.  

    flossy

    The current MUNI logo is perfect. It is the greatest logo of all time.

    April 30, 2013
    in response to Today's Headlines
  25.  

    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.

    April 30, 2013
    in response to On Bay Area News Stands: The Lack of Accountability for Drivers Who Kill
  26.  

    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.

    April 30, 2013
    in response to Tonight: Tell the SFMTA to Put Protected Bike Lanes on the Table for Polk
  27.  

    Anonymous

    *cough* First Amendment *cough*

    April 30, 2013
    in response to On Bay Area News Stands: The Lack of Accountability for Drivers Who Kill
  28.  

    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.

    April 30, 2013
    in response to SFMTA Drops Protected Bike Lane Proposals for Most of Polk Street
  29.  

    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.

    April 30, 2013
    in response to SFMTA Drops Protected Bike Lane Proposals for Most of Polk Street
  30.  

    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.

    April 30, 2013
    in response to SFMTA Drops Protected Bike Lane Proposals for Most of Polk Street
  31.  

    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%.

    April 30, 2013
    in response to SFMTA Drops Protected Bike Lane Proposals for Most of Polk Street
  32.  

    murphstahoe

    Mario – when I say no skills I am talking about basic safety and awareness. It was weird

    April 30, 2013
    in response to SF Still Waiting for David Chiu to Stand Up for Protected Bike Lanes on Polk
  33.  

    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.

    April 30, 2013
    in response to SFMTA Drops Protected Bike Lane Proposals for Most of Polk Street
  34.  

    mikesonn

    Even in stretches of car only lanes (e.g. 101/280) driver behavior is no better.

    April 30, 2013
    in response to SFMTA Drops Protected Bike Lane Proposals for Most of Polk Street
  35.  

    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?

    April 30, 2013
    in response to SFMTA Drops Protected Bike Lane Proposals for Most of Polk Street
  36.  

    Greg

    Even in stretches of protected bike lanes (e.g. on Market) bike behavior is no better.

    April 30, 2013
    in response to SFMTA Drops Protected Bike Lane Proposals for Most of Polk Street
  37.  

    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.

    April 30, 2013
    in response to SFMTA Drops Protected Bike Lane Proposals for Most of Polk Street
  38.  

    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.

    April 30, 2013
    in response to SFMTA Drops Protected Bike Lane Proposals for Most of Polk Street
  39.  

    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*.

    April 30, 2013
    in response to SFMTA Drops Protected Bike Lane Proposals for Most of Polk Street
  40.  

    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.

    April 30, 2013
    in response to SFMTA Drops Protected Bike Lane Proposals for Most of Polk Street
  41.  

    Jim

    Quit allowing merchants and “residents” living in the 1950s from swaying public opinion about what should be the easiest mode to get around.

    April 30, 2013
    in response to On Bay Area News Stands: The Lack of Accountability for Drivers Who Kill
  42.  

    Greg

    Property taxes, while collected locally, are generally directed to Sac and then distributed throughout the state. Cities get sales taxes – they want that $$.

    April 30, 2013
    in response to SFMTA Drops Protected Bike Lane Proposals for Most of Polk Street
  43.  

    mikesonn

    Please read:

    http://sf.streetsblog.org/2013/04/30/on-bay-area-news-stands-the-lack-of-accountability-for-drivers-who-kill/

    April 30, 2013
    in response to SFMTA Drops Protected Bike Lane Proposals for Most of Polk Street
  44.  

    Ryan Brady

    I have no idea how I’m supposed to find that out about local politicians.

    April 30, 2013
    in response to SFMTA Drops Protected Bike Lane Proposals for Most of Polk Street
  45.  

    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.

    April 30, 2013
    in response to SFMTA Drops Protected Bike Lane Proposals for Most of Polk Street
  46.  

    Ryan Brady

    This is one of the rare instances where I can agree with the “99% of bikers do this”. I think most just don’t know any better.

    April 30, 2013
    in response to SFMTA Drops Protected Bike Lane Proposals for Most of Polk Street
  47.  

    Mario Tanev

    Perpetuating the stereotype that bicyclists must be skilled in order to get respect is not useful. He can bike whichever way he is able to or wishes, but his political skills are what concerns me.

    April 30, 2013
    in response to SF Still Waiting for David Chiu to Stand Up for Protected Bike Lanes on Polk
  48.  

    Greg

    When driving a car and making a right turn you move to the right of the street and turn on right turn signal and what do the bikers do?…They pass you on the right. 99% of bikers in SF do this. They even do that at Market and Franklin where the bike lane is on the left of the right hand turn lane.

    April 30, 2013
    in response to SFMTA Drops Protected Bike Lane Proposals for Most of Polk Street
  49.  

    Greg

    “Polk will eventually become another Fisherman’s wharf or a Chinatown, with locals avoiding it all together.” LOL. You know Polk is just fine now with mainly only Russian Hill/Polk Gulch locals and is just fine staying that way. We don’t need a bunch more bike commuters blowing thru stop signs on Polk nearly killing us to “improve” our hood. No, thanks.

    This is going down not because of parking for merchants but because the vast majority of SF residents do not support bike improvements after having to deal with the bikers in SF in the past. The bikers only have themselves to blame for the little support they have in SF now – as evidenced by what is happening to this proposal. Sure, they are not all bad, but there are enough out there they us peds don’t support bikers.

    April 30, 2013
    in response to SFMTA Drops Protected Bike Lane Proposals for Most of Polk Street
  50.  

    bicicletera

    One part of the answer is to stop subsidizing cheap gas through military aggression.

    April 30, 2013
    in response to On Bay Area News Stands: The Lack of Accountability for Drivers Who Kill

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