It's nice to report on street-safety improvements twice in one week.
On Tuesday, Streetsblog took a tour of the new protected bike lanes on Upper Market and Turk. Work has also started on phase two of the parking-protected bike lane on 8thΒ Street, from Harrison to Townsend.
Temporary tape shows where the 8th Street protected bike lane will soon go, south of HarrisonTemporary tape shows where the 8th Street....
— Brezina πΊπ¦ π³π§πΌπΆπ½π³ (@brezina) April 17, 2018
The project, of course, is awesome. Protected bike lanes on the wide and dangerous streets of SoMa will save lives, will make riding far more comfortable, and were the right response to the tragedies that have occurred in SoMa.
That said, there isΒ currentlyΒ a big challenge for cyclists at the top of 8th. In coordination with a sewer project, the city is building a new transit-boarding island at Market and 8th, and it is creating a real traffic headache for both motorists and cyclists. And,Β as in the past, no provisions were made for bikes, so itβs particularly hazardous and should be avoidedΒ at least until construction is completed, which, according to the SFMTA, should be sometime in May.
In the future, one hopes the city will create safe bicycle detours during construction, just as they would for motorists and, usually, pedestrians.
Construction at Market and 8th. Riding couldn't have been too comfortable, or safe, for the lone cyclists in the picture trying to carve some space out for himself.Construction at Market and 8th
A confused cyclist trying to access 8th street.A confused cyclist trying to access 8th street