The Valencia Street bike lane project, which has undergone extensive planning and community outreach, has garnered attention due to significant discrepancies between the approved design and the installation executed by the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA).
Concerns were raised by Streets Forward advocate Luke Bornheimer, who pointed out inconsistencies at the intersections in the approved design compared to what was actually installed.
Streetsblog highlighted the importance of concrete protection at these intersections, noting that without it, drivers can easily cut across bike lanes, increasing the risk of right-hook accidents with cyclists.
The design intended to include substantial corner islands that force drivers to navigate around them, which enhances visibility for both cyclists and motorists. However, many corners on Valencia Street ended up with fewer posts and speed bumps than originally planned.
SFMTA’s Michael Roccaforte responded by describing the changes as a result of refining conceptual designs based on public feedback and feasibility considerations within the available space.
While he mentioned that reducing the number of speed bumps would provide more space for cyclists, this has not alleviated the concerns of many cyclists who have experienced alarming near-miss incidents.
One cyclist, known as Nolan, commented on Streetsblog about their encounters with turning vehicles that do not check for cyclists before accelerating. Nolan emphasized that the lack of concrete protection diminishes visibility into the bike lanes, allowing cars to encroach on the space marked for bicycles, regardless of road striping.
Another cyclist echoed this sentiment, sharing personal experiences of close calls with right-turning drivers who failed to see them coming. These incidents highlight the crucial role that wide corner islands play in enhancing cyclist safety by compelling drivers to slow down and adjust their approach, mitigating blind spots.
Magnus Barber, a cyclist who regularly commutes on Valencia and recent infrastructures being developed in Oakland, articulated a stark contrast in how the two cities handle protected intersections. He questioned why San Francisco struggles to implement effective designs while neighboring Oakland seems to manage it successfully.
Oakland has been recognized for creating protected intersections with real concrete that function effectively, a point brought to light by Bryan Culbertson, an advocate with Traffic Violence Rapid Response. Culbertson expressed hope that San Francisco would soon catch up with Oakland’s concrete solutions for safe cycling infrastructure.
Despite the improvements over previous conditions on Valencia Street, SFMTA’s decision to eliminate additional protective features raises doubts about the overall safety measures being enforced. Observers are left wondering if further adjustments will be made to address these glaring inconsistencies.
As the conversation continues, it remains essential for SFMTA to prioritize the needs of cyclists and ensure that safety measures are not overlooked in the implementation of infrastructure.
Urban planners and cycling advocates alike hope that further revisions will be made to enhance the protections for cyclists along Valencia Street, aligning the installation with the originally approved plans for a safer urban environment.
image source from：sf
