Archive for November, 2009

Market Street trial improvements

November 10, 2009 at 10:01 am · Filed under Uncategorized

Over the past six weeks SF has been doing some trial improvements to Market Street. These are simple livability improvements – mainly restricting private vehicle traffic and adding some paint here and there. They’re collecting data and feedback about these improvements with an eye to revamping the whole street come 2013.

Feedback? You want feedback! OK!

To: marketstreet@sfgov.org
From: Michael J. Fogel <mike … at … fogel.ca>

Subject: Market Street improvements feedback

Good morning MarketStreet@sfgov.org

A few thoughts about the Market Street trial improvements from the perspective of an SF user (walk, Muni, bike, taxi, and occasionally – private vehicle driver):

  1. I think the changes to restrict private vehicles on Market Street have been a step in the right direction. The blocks with reduced traffic are now more pleasant to be on – which will in turn attract more people to these blocks, which will in turn make the street more pleasant – a virtuous cycle.
  2. The trial improvements have been limited in their impact because the choosen blocks are not high-profile, high pedestrian traffic blocks. Restricting private vehicle traffic between, say 6th and 3rd, would do a significantly better job in making the advantages of these improvements clear to more people.
  3. Restricting private vehicles, while not hindering taxis, delivery vehicles, and Muni was an excellent choice. While these professional drivers are often more aggressive, they drive more predictably and are generally much safer than private drivers. They also are now able to provide essential services to Market Street with greater efficiency – a benefit to all users of the street.

Because of Market Street’s high profile, a successful Market Street improvement program has potential to motivate further livability-oriented changes around our region. I encourage you to build and expand upon the trial improvements completed thus far, pushing them to the busiest areas of the street where they will be seen and felt by the most people.

Thanks for your time,

Michael Fogel

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