[2.1] MORE CYCLE TRACKS

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

They are an economical alternative to sidewalk widening since they require less infrastructure. Whenever curbs are moved, storm-water drains need to be relocated, which is very costly.

Protected Cycle Tracks green and calm Second Street while respecting human powered transport.

Existing bleak condition of Second Street.

At 62 feet wide curb to curb, Second allows generous cycle tracks and planted buffers.

PAVEMENT TO PARKS

In the past few years San Francisco has helped pioneer the concept of Pavement to Parks, where excess vehicle space is transformed into people space. 

In LA they are calling it Streets For People. It works great there too.

Castro Commons at 17th and Castro Streets.

The first of these at Castro and 17th Street transformed that intersection into a vital pedestrian space. Originally built in a month with  a super low budget this has become a permanent park and is being upgraded with more robust materials.

This first success has been followed by other spaces such as Guerrero Park on San Jose Avenue and Showplace triangle where 8th and 16th streets meet.


There are several opportunities on Second Street for this sort of pedestrian space.

{1} South Park Gateway

{2} Harrison Chute Parklet

{3} Market Street Plaza

We'll get into these potential public spaces in future posts.

Guerrero Park calms a nasty stretch of San Jose Avenue

Castro Commons is always populated by people enjoying the City.

The Planning Department has a great web page on this program: http://sfpavementtoparks.sfplanning.org/