One-way Streets w/Bike Lanes & Perpendicular Parking

Submitted by Anonymous on Wed, 02/16/2011 - 5:33pm

By turning many streets, particularly in more residential neighborhoods, into one-way streets with a single lane of traffic, we could create designated bike lanes and enable perpendicular parking on one side of the street, creating 25%-50% or more parking spaces per block. You might even have space to 'green up' streets with mini parks and seating areas.

Most blocks have absolutely no need for two-way traffic. The lanes are empty 98% of the time over 24 hours and dedicating that much space to traffic is a waste of resources. The downside is you might have to drive a block out of your way to get home but that beats circling the block for 30 minutes looking for a parking spot.

One-way streets can also calm traffic and potentially allow traffic circles at key intersections without additional land dedicated to asphalt. Traffic circles have many benefits to a community including eliminating four-way stops at every intersection - which are terrible for the environment by destroying gas mileage and increasing the efficiency of transit.

Low lying shrubs at corners

Submitted by Dylan Sittig on Mon, 02/21/2011 - 6:12pm.

That is a very cool point about increasing the amount of parking spaces with the main cost to residents just being that they have sometimes have to drive an extra block.

Another method to make streets safer for pedestrians, especially in residential neighborhoods is to replace parking spots near corners with low lying plants. This ensures that no tall cars will block the line of sight between pedestrians trying to cross and approaching motorists.

Dedicated Bike Lanes and Rider Safety

Submitted by JoshuaJames on Tue, 02/22/2011 - 12:44pm.

Baileyb7, I think that is spot on and would work in a lot places in SF. It's especially attractive because it will incentivize increased bike ridership in the city if done well, as well as well as help drivers get off the roads quickly and efficiently, which will also cut down on congestion, green house gases, etc... I'll add that I think we should try to have separated, dedicated bike paths wherever possible. Riding your bike in a city such as this can be a little terrifying, if not downright dangerous. Not only are there cars to contend with, but there are muni trains and buses, muni tracks to avoid, and any countless number of obstacles to watch out for. Any public policy that get's drivers off the street and more bikes on them, combined with driver efficiency and biker safety sounds like a winner.