Help win real safety changes on the Embarcadero

Along the San Francisco waterfront, the Embarcadero remains busy even during COVID-19. Even without the tourists making their way to Pier 39 or the normal swells of daily ferry and BART commuters, it’s still a key route for people walking, biking, driving between eastern neighborhoods.

And it remains dangerous. The Embarcadero – from King to Battery – is a designated high-injury corridor: the 13% of city streets where 75% of serious and fatal crashes occur. A fatal crash happened on the Embarcadero just three months ago when a 51-year-old man died riding a scooter.

Because of the dangerous street conditions, many people biking and scootering avoid the on-street bike lanes, and they join people walking, jogging, and enjoying the attractions along the Promenade in an often cramped space.

New Space for People

But thanks to the SFMTA’s Vision Zero Quick-Build program, protected bike lanes were added on the Embarcadero between Harrison and Mission streets last summer. These fast and affordable improvements are showing that safe, on-street space for people biking and scooting can reduce conflicts and near-misses with people walking on the busy Promenade.

And now, the SFMTA is considering bringing more significant street safety improvements to the busiest section of the Embarcadero between Mission and Broadway.

These proposed improvement include:

• A northbound traffic lane removal and pedestrian islands to shorten the crossing distance
• A wide, two-way bikeway to provide safe, dedicated space for people on bikes and scooters outside of the Promenade
• Generous loading zones and safe bikeway crossings to make sure people who need to be dropped off can easily get to the curb
• Some key turn restrictions and pedestrian safety zones to improve safety at intersections for people walking

Now’s the time to share your support for these big safety fixes on the Embarcadero. Take the survey by April 9 to let the City know that you value safety over speed along the Embarcadero.

The Embarcadero Safety Project has its first hearing on Tuesday, May 25 at 3:15PM. We need to make sure they hear from folks who want safety prioritized on this high-injury corridor. Sign up to give public comment and we’ll share everything you need.

Walk SF will be tracking this project as the SFMTA continues outreach and prepares a final proposal for approval as early as late Spring. Contact Walk SF’s Vision Zero Organizer Brian Haagsman if you have questions or would like to stay involved with our Embarcadero efforts.

Banner image: SFMTA