Enhancing Bike Safety on Illinois Street: A Community Initiative in San Francisco
On a fateful day 15 years ago, Keith Goldstein experienced a sudden lesson in physics while cycling along Illinois Street in San Francisco. His bike’s front tire got caught in an abandoned rail track, causing him to tumble and sustain a broken wrist. At that time, the area’s industrial past was just beginning to fade as new developments, such as UCSF’s Mission Bay campus, were emerging.
Current Landscape of Illinois Street
Presently, Illinois Street maintains an industrial character, lined with small enterprises and hosting a steady influx of truck traffic related to loading and deliveries. It serves as a critical artery leading to major redevelopments, including Pier 70 and the Potrero Power Station, which collectively promise over 4,000 new residential units and a significant increase in commercial space, totaling 3.9 million square feet. A notable aspect of these developments is the intention to minimize parking provisions, aiming instead to foster non-motorized transport.
Shift Towards Sustainable Transportation
Recognizing the need for safer transportation options, particularly for cyclists, neighborhood groups have formed initiatives to improve biking infrastructure on Illinois Street. A coalition called Safer Illinois, comprising over 30 community organizations and businesses from Dogpatch, Potrero Hill, and Mission Bay, is advocating for a two-way protected bike lane.
Community Support and Future Plans
Community leaders, including Donovan Lacy of the Dogpatch Neighborhood Association, believe that enhancing Illinois Street for cycling is a straightforward decision given its connectivity to existing bike lanes. Despite some hesitance among local merchants, including Goldstein, who is now president of the Potrero Dogpatch Merchants Association, there is a growing momentum towards implementing safer bike routes in San Francisco. Recent research from the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA) indicates that more than half of city residents would cycle more often if safer conditions were established.
The Design Proposal
Addressing the safety concerns on Illinois Street, Safer Illinois has worked with an engineering firm to draft a conceptual design for a protected bike lane stretching 1.25 miles from 16th Street to Marin Street. The proposal includes a dedicated 10-foot-wide bike lane, separated from vehicular traffic by a parking lane and a buffer space, which aims to reduce the risk of accidents associated with the nearby rail tracks.
Community and Business Response
As they push for the bike lane, the initiative has garnered endorsements from numerous local businesses and advocacy groups. However, some business owners, particularly those associated with the American Industrial Center (AIC), have raised concerns about the potential impact on loading zones and access for delivery vehicles. While some AIC tenants support the plan, others seek modifications that would better accommodate industrial traffic needs.
Conclusion
The push for bike lane development on Illinois Street illustrates a significant moment in San Francisco’s urban planning evolution. As developments progress, the alignment of community interests towards safer transportation options reveals a collective effort to reshape the future of the Central Waterfront area. With the new YMCA recently opened and more residents moving into the neighborhood, the scope for fostering a bike-friendly culture is stronger than ever. Improved bike infrastructure could play a vital role in enhancing connectivity and safety in the increasingly urban landscape of San Francisco.
