Safer cycling conditions mean more cyclists. Bubble Gal Jill shows
why more cyclists will make San Francisco a happier place.
(photo credit www.o2sm.com)
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San Francisco cyclists are breathing a sigh of relief following a landmark court ruling today that will create an extra 34 miles of bike lanes for the city.
A four-year legal legal fight over bike lanes was finally ended by San Francisco Superior Court Judge Peter Busch, who fully lifted an injunction on new lanes.
"Today is the beginning of a new era for bicycling in San Francisco," said San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency Chief Nat Ford.
The San Francisco Chronicle cites city officials as saying the striping of new lanes could begin as early as next Monday.
35 bicycle lane projects comprising a significant part of the San Francisco bicycle plan are lined up and ready to go.
Renée Rivera, Acting Executive Director of the San Francisco Bicycle Coalition, stated, “This is the first time in San Francisco’s history that this many bike lane projects are approved and ready to be striped. These long-awaited improvements will help growing numbers of people feel more confident, comfortable and safe when they bike to shop, to work and to play.”
The injunction was partially lifted in 2009, but the SFMTA and the City of San Francisco were wary of going too far in any new bike lane development while the case remained under consideration.
Projects that have been on hold include bike lanes on Townsend, Fifth, 17th and North Point streets, Portola Drive, Ocean Avenue and a reverse-flow bike lane on part of Polk Street, allowing cyclists to ride against one-way traffic.
San Francisco resident Rob Anderson was able to sue for the injunction back in 2005 because city supervisors had approved the plan without first ensuring it complied with California Environmental Quality Act. He said he will review Judge Busch's ruling to determine if "there's something appealable."
Comments
Meghan Nanfeldt and 3 other University of Conn. recent grads will complete their cross-USA bike trip tomorrow (Sunday) as they cross the GG bridge into SF, having raised over $10k for books for poor new UCONN students. See www.BikeforBooks.weebly.com for the very amusing blog. Reporters only can contact Meg: (973) 902-8122 (she is riding!).
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