San Francisco’s Polk Street has long been a standout destination for nightlife and community activities, yet it still struggles with safety concerns for pedestrians, cyclists, and drivers alike.
Despite efforts initiated a decade ago to enhance safety for all users of the road, Polk Street remains embedded in the city’s High Injury Network.
The push for improved bike infrastructure has, unfortunately, fallen short, with unprotected bike lanes failing to provide the intended safety benefits.
Historical context reveals that in 2012, the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA) began planning for upgraded bike lanes on Polk Street.
Initial proposals included protected bike lanes in both directions, complete with safety features such as concrete boarding islands and extended pedestrian bulb-outs.
However, merchant opposition led to dramatic changes, resulting in the elimination of nearly all protected bike lanes and many safety enhancements.
Key commercial areas, particularly around Pine Street, ended up devoid of bike lanes altogether.
Even the limited southbound segments that did implement protection did so only with soft-hit posts, rather than more durable curbs or raised tracks.
The SFMTA’s decision to cut a proposed protected bike lane at Pine Street in early 2015 exemplifies the influence of merchant pressure, which was even acknowledged by the late Mayor Ed Lee.
This resulted in what many consider to be a compromise rather than a comprehensive solution, leaving Polk Street with a disjointed and hazardous roadway.
In the years since these cuts, only a few improvements have been made.
Notable developments include the installation of parking protection in front of City Hall just ahead of the 2024 election and an upgrade to a southbound segment near the Department of Public Health following a fatal crash in 2021.
Despite these modifications, Polk’s bike lanes, bus stops, and crosswalks are continually obstructed, causing confusion among drivers, especially delivery personnel.
This chaotic state of affairs is not reflective of a modern urban corridor.
With a new mayor and district supervisor in place, there lies an opportunity to bring about necessary changes to Polk Street.
Mayor Daniel Lurie has committed to a data-driven approach to transportation and public safety, making Polk a prime candidate for demonstrating this initiative.
However, transforming Polk Street doesn’t necessitate a full redesign but should instead involve returning to the original 2013 plan for protected bike lanes.
The city can begin with targeted installations on blocks that clearly need improvement, focusing on those suffering from chronic double parking or dangerous user conflicts.
Utilizing data gathered from six years of real-world usage, the city could implement thoughtful, economic upgrades on a block-by-block basis.
Potential enhancements might include testing more durable elements like robust bollards and modular curbs that can be installed with minimal disruption to businesses and transit access.
Double parking continues to be a persistent issue, frequently occurring in bike lanes and even on sidewalks — a situation exacerbated by both private vehicles and commercial deliveries.
Areas adjacent to popular doughnut shops, grocery stores, and package delivery centers would significantly benefit from a reevaluation of parking regulations.
Adjustments to the allocation of white, yellow, and green zones could better reflect actual usage patterns, thus helping to mitigate safety risks for bikers and pedestrians while enhancing service to merchants.
Polk Street holds great potential, supported by a lively community, thriving businesses, and advantageous geography.
Now is the time for improvements that will benefit everyone who uses this vital corridor.
image source from：sf
