Spring is in full bloom, and Turk Street is looking a lot greener. San Francisco’s newest protected bike lane here is finishing construction and we’re almost ready to celebrate.
In January, a community-supported protected bike lane was unanimously approved by the SF Municipal Transportation Agency Board of Directors. Not only does this bike lane establish the first protected bike lane in the Tenderloin, the brand new Turk Street also reduces the number and size of the vehicle travel lanes, making the street safer for all users.
While the impacts on bike safety are readily apparent, the new protected bike lane has been a boon to the community members who championed the project. This win wouldn’t have been possible without constant support from local stakeholders to champion this project. To them, the project is already making a difference.
“The change is easy to recognize,” says Toby Shorts with Curry Senior Center, located on Turk. “We’re not seeing bicycles zipping down the sidewalk anymore. Older adults that come to Curry aren’t particularly nimble anymore, and bikes on the sidewalk were a real safety concern. It’s just so much safer now that cyclists have a safe place and pedestrians have a safe place.”
Tenants of the single resident occupancy hotels are noticing a difference too. Tony Macay, a tenant organizer at the Vincent Hotel on Turk Street, commented more specifically about the parking removal. “I really liked it. People who used to hang out and do illegal activities stay away because the streets are now more open. The parking removal made the blocks more visible. Turk Street is now brighter and cleaner because of the painted bike lane.”
With construction due to wrap up this week, Supervisor Jane Kim will host us and community members next Thursday, April 26 for a ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate our newest protected bike lane. Let’s pedal this momentum forward together and continue building out safe, bike-friendly streets throughout the Tenderloin.
Turk Street Bike Lane Celebration
Curry Senior Center
333 Turk St.
Thursday, April 26 — 9:00 – 9:30 am