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SF Bans Cars From 12 Streets This Week: Check Out the Map

Slow Streets program starts this week with slow roll-out of walker-friendly streets
By - posted 4/21/2020 No Comment

Mayor London Breed Announces Slow Streets Program to Support Physical Distancing on Residential Streets

The Slow Streets Program will support physical distancing guidelines while providing safer streets for those making essential trips while walking or biking.

With Muni service temporarily reduced, sometimes it is difficult to maintain 6’ of social distance on many sidewalks, park paths, and bikeways. This can be especially true when passing lines outside grocery stores and other essential services. Because of this, many pedestrians are choosing to walk in the street, exposing themselves to swiftly moving vehicle traffic.

The SFMTA is implementing a new program, Slow Streets, to close some streets to through traffic and allow roadways to be used more as a shared space for foot and bicycle traffic.

SF’s “Slow Streets”: The Basics

  • Initially 12 streets are planned – Roll-out will be about 2-3 streets a week starting the week of April 20-26
  • Streets will be approximately 8-block segments
  • Slow-traffic residential streets that connect neighbors to essential services in the absence of Muni service
  • Biking and walking allowed in street
  • Local vehicle access and driveway access still permitted
  • Through car traffic (non-resident) will not be allowed
  • Cars still have right-of-way – in other words, you can walk/run in the street, but be smart and safe.
  • View the “Slow Streets” Planning Map

Throughout the city, corridors have been identified for Phase 1 Slow Streets. Beginning this week, some of these streets will be closed to through vehicle traffic to prioritize walking/biking and to provide more space for social distancing during essential travel by those modes.

What will Slow Streets look like?

Streets will not be closed completely, and local vehicle access is permitted. There will be no changes to parking or driveway access for residents. Slow Streets will not create any legal change in the right of way. People walking/running in the street will not have the right-of-way over motor vehicles but will be allowed to be in the street (as the Calif. Vehicle Code currently permits).

The goal is to take advantage of low vehicle numbers on certain travel corridors and allow people to maximize our resources while maintaining social distancing. Slow Streets will be in effect 24/7, given the limited staff resources to deploy/re-deploy equipment daily.

The purpose of Slow Streets is to manage traffic speeds and create a safe network for essential walk and bike travel while transit service levels are reduced. Our agency is committed to giving San Franciscans the necessary space to practice social distancing as they leave their homes for critical needs.

Slow Streets candidates

Good candidates for a first phase of Slow Streets are shown on the map and in Table 1. These are lower-traffic residential streets that connect neighbors to essential services in the absence of Muni service. They have been vetted for feasibility and exclude Muni routes and major emergency traffic corridors.

For most Slow Streets, rollout will be incremental and iterative – approximately 8 blocks at a time – and may not initially cover the entire length shown on the map. Careful monitoring will be provided to ensure the transportation benefits of Slow Streets are not undermined by crowding and congregation.

When will these streets be closed?

Beginning this week, we hope to install 2-3 Slow Streets corridors per week. The first round of Slow Streets implementation will consist of signage and traffic cones. We will continue to monitor the use of Slow Streets to minimize impacts on surrounding streets.

How were the Slow Streets corridors chosen?

The streets were chosen to supplement reduced or suspended Muni routes, while providing bicycle and pedestrian access to essential services. Many of these streets run parallel to other major streets and transit routes. The Slow Streets are intended to provide a network of streets that prioritize walking and biking for essential trips.

Slow Streets are one part of the city’s efforts to reduce sidewalk crowding. Other efforts include removing vehicle parking outside grocery stores and restaurants to create extra pedestrian queueing space and widening sidewalks by removing vehicle parking on select high-pedestrian-traffic corridors. Please visit sfmta.com/COVID19 for the latest agency updates.