Turning Cars into the Last Resort in San Francisco

Officials want to turn the city into a place where driving around is the last choice people would want to make.

"Private automobiles, especially those containing only a driver, should remain part of the city's transportation future, directors said. But they should not dominate use of the city's scarce transportation resources nor the bulk of its roads and rights of way.

'Private autos do deserve a place,' said Cheryl Brinkman, a newcomer to the board, 'but the goal is not to make them the most convenient choice. We want to have the same dignity.'

The board is updating its strategic plan, adopted in 2007 as its vision through 2012, because of the unforeseen financial challenges delivered by the recession. The revised plan, which sets the agency's priorities, is expected to be completed by spring 2011."