Crews in Philadelphia have recently unveiled a completed section of a sidewalk-level bike lane on Market Street between 5th and 6th, emphasizing the city’s commitment to enhancing safety for all street users.
This new development is part of a broader initiative aimed at improving multimodal safety on Market Street between 6th Street and 2nd Street.
Improvements include the installation of sidewalk-level bike lanes, concrete bus boarding bump-outs, and dedicated left turn lanes.
According to Mike Carroll, Deputy Managing Director for Transportation and Infrastructure, these updates aim to create a safer environment for pedestrians, cyclists, drivers, and transit users.
Construction work for the larger project is anticipated to commence in 2024, with the completion expected in time for the country’s 250th birthday celebrations in 2026.
The project has a contracted budget of $16 million, and Carroll emphasized the importance of these safety improvements in fostering a welcoming public space for residents and attracting tourists over the coming years.
In sharp contrast, San Francisco’s Market Street is undergoing a different journey.
The city continues to advance the Bummer Market Street Plan, which unfortunately lacks safety features for cyclists, a noteworthy departure from Philadelphia’s approach.
The historical connection between the two Market Streets dates back to their naming, with San Francisco’s inspired by Philadelphia’s.
San Francisco’s Market Street was designed to be grander, featuring a width of 120 feet compared to Philadelphia’s 100 feet.
Both cities’ streets serve as major arteries for bus lines and light rail transit, yet the safety strategies implemented differ significantly.
San Francisco’s car ban on Market Street, while a step in the right direction, allowed for too many exceptions, including taxis, city vehicles, and delivery trucks.
The absence of physical barriers to prevent car access has made it challenging to uphold safety on the street, leaving the door open for the return of disruptive rideshare vehicles like Uber and Lyft.
Even with an expanded car ban, the coexistence of cyclists—who are among the most vulnerable road users—with buses and large delivery trucks poses significant safety concerns.
It is clear that mixing these vehicle types is not a safe or practical solution.
However, there is still an opportunity for San Francisco to adopt Philadelphia’s successful strategies.
The city boasts advantages, including a 20-foot wider Market Street and existing transit boarding islands, which could be utilized to create safer cycling environments.
With its expansive sidewalks and multiple travel lanes, San Francisco can consider either extending its sidewalks or carving out dedicated space for physically protected bike lanes.
These alternatives were initially proposed under the ‘Better Market Street’ project, which faced cuts during the COVID pandemic.
Many consider this a significant misstep in San Francisco’s urban planning history, particularly given that the street is due for reconstruction regardless.
It’s noteworthy that there are cost-effective methods to implement protected bike lanes, and Philadelphia, despite its larger population, operates with a smaller city budget.
In light of these facts, the need for San Francisco to rethink its Market Street approach is more pressing than ever.
image source from：sf
