Court Ruling Stalls San Francisco Bike Plan

Running afoul of the state's 1970 landmark environmental law, the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), San Francisco's bike plan must undergo a full environmental review, ruled a superior court judge on Nov. 7.

2 minute read

November 10, 2006, 10:00 AM PST

By Irvin Dawid


"A small group calling itself the Coalition for Adequate Review sued the city last year, claiming that the bicycle plan should be subject to environmental review because it makes physical changes to the city's streetscape. They won the preliminary injunction in June. The group cited CEQA, which requires public projects to undergo a review if they might alter the environment.

In order to come into compliance with CEQA, the city must either conduct an environmental impact review (EIR) or become exempt from the process, according to Superior Court Judge Peter Busch.

Under a preliminary injunction that was upheld Tuesday, The City can continue to plan bicycle improvements, but it may not paint bicycle lanes, install bicycle racks or allow bicycles on San Francisco Municipal Railway vehicles until it comes into compliance with state environmental laws."

"San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom said in a statement that he was disappointed by the decision, but, 'I am in no way discouraged from my commitment to making San Francisco a world-class city for bicycling.' Newsom said The City's goal is to make 10 percent of all commute trips in The City bicycle trips by 2010.

"We're frustrated," San Francisco Bicycle Coalition Executive Director Leah Shahum said Wednesday. "We've got a case here where the environmental laws are being perverted in a way that is not helping the environment and not helping the city of San Francisco."

Thanks to MTC-ABAG Library

Thursday, November 9, 2006 in San Francisco Examiner

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Get top-rated, practical training

Close-up of "Apartment for rent" sign in red text on black background in front of blurred building

Trump Administration Could Effectively End Housing Voucher Program

Federal officials are eyeing major cuts to the Section 8 program that helps millions of low-income households pay rent.

April 21, 2025 - Housing Wire

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

April 30, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Close-up on Canadian flag with Canada Parliament building blurred in background.

Canada vs. Kamala: Whose Liberal Housing Platform Comes Out on Top?

As Canada votes for a new Prime Minister, what can America learn from the leading liberal candidate of its neighbor to the north?

April 28, 2025 - Benjamin Schneider

Washington

Washington State’s Parking Reform Law Could Unlock ‘Countless’ Acres for New Housing

A law that limits how much parking cities can require for residential amd commercial developments could lead to a construction boom.

1 hour ago - Streetsblog USA

Bluebird sitting on branch of green bush.

Wildlife Rebounds After the Eaton Fire

Following the devastation of the Eaton Fire, the return of wildlife and the regrowth of native plants are offering powerful signs of resilience and renewal.

2 hours ago - AP News

1984 Olympics

LA to Replace Inglewood Light Rail Project With Bus Shuttles

LA Metro says the change is in response to community engagement and that the new design will be ready before the 2028 Olympic Games.

3 hours ago - Newsweek

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.

Planning for Universal Design

Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.