Skip to Content
Streetsblog San Francisco home
Streetsblog San Francisco home
Log In
Bicycle Infrastructure

Envisioning Protected Bike Lanes and Pedestrian Islands for Second Street

Advocates for a safer Second Street have released a new rendering showing how the street could function better for pedestrians and cyclists if a protected bike lane is included in the coming redesign.

Architect and bike commuter David Baker, whose firm is located on Second, posted the rendering on the blog Great Second Street.

"Protected bicycle lanes are great to ride on, and give pedestrians, cyclists, and cars their own space," Baker writes. "They also provide space for larger trees than are possible with narrow sidewalks alone."

At a public workshop in May, protected bike lanes were a popular feature in conceptual proposals presented by local residents.

The new green bike channel at Duboce and Church, which runs between the sidewalk and N-Judah boarding island, is an example of a bike lane protected by a concrete island, similar to the one in Baker's vision. This treatment is "an economical alternative to sidewalk widening since they require less infrastructure," writes Baker. "Whenever curbs are moved, storm-water drains need to be relocated, which is very costly."

The SFMTA and Department of Public Works could make Second a much more livable street by incorporating this kind of safer infrastructure, which more and more residents are clamoring for. The next workshop on the plan is expected to be held in August.

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More from Streetsblog San Francisco

Op-Ed: It’s Time to Extend the Central Subway to North Beach

There are abandoned tunnels under Stockton Street: here’s how they could transform San Francisco’s subway system.

May 8, 2025

Talking Headways Podcast: ‘Normal’ is Not Correct, Someone Died Here

After a crash, the debris is quickly cleaned up and everyone moves on (usually too quickly). But these two experts are asking us to all slow down.

May 8, 2025

State Supreme Court Rules for Oakland Cyclist Injured by Pothole on Skyline Blvd.

When Ty Whitehead was injured in a crash caused by a pothole in Oakland, it sparked an eight-year legal battle that is still being waged.

May 7, 2025
See all posts