Draft EIR on SF's Bike Plan Released

A court order prohibits new bicycle infrastructure in San Francisco, but its Municipal Transportation Agency and Planning Department have crafted a 1,353-page Draft Environmental Impact Report to make a case against it.

1 minute read

December 5, 2008, 11:00 AM PST

By Judy Chang


"At a cost of more than $1 million, the city has attempted to demonstrate in excruciating detail what would seem to be obvious: better bicycle amenities contribute to increased cycling and an improved environment.

Despite the significant time and money required to produce the tome, Mayor Gavin Newsom struck an optimistic note, citing the proposed addition of 34 miles of bicycle lanes to San Francisco streets - a 75 percent increase over the existing 45 miles of lanes.

'We've accomplished a great deal together, but much work remains to be done to improve the safety and convenience of bicycling,' said Newsom. 'I will continue to push for a better bicycling environment as part of my deep commitment to improving the health of our environment, our residents and our city.'

A public hearing on the DEIR has been scheduled for January 8. The deadline for comments is January 13."

Thanks to Matthew Roth

Monday, December 1, 2008 in Streetsblog

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