Bike Counts in Three NOPA Locations Surge in 2010 Citywide Survey

Counting bicyclists at Masonic and the Panhandle Path for the 2009 Bike Count

Mariana Parreiras, an SFMTA intern at the time, counted bikes for the 2009 count

Three locations in or near the North Panhandle saw significant increases in the number of people on bikes during the 2010 Bike Count conducted by the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA).

• The Golden Gate and Masonic intersection registered a 26% increase over last year's count during the evening commute, 5 - 6:30 pm
• At the intersection where the mixed-use Panhandle Path crosses Masonic, the number of riders jumped 7% , from 228 to 244, during the morning commute, 8 to 9 am
• The third location at Fell and Scott streets reflects much of the bike traffic that originates in NOPA or travels through the neighborhood. That pivotal intersection saw a 10% increase from 2009, registering 410 bicyclists during the evening commute.

All three NOPA locations saw a greater number of riders than the citywide jump of 3% for 2009. The SFMTA report cautions that the bike count reflects a snapshot of ridership during specific hours on a given day.

Two of the locations experienced remarkable increases when compared to the 2006 count:

• Masonic and the Panhandle: from 152 riders in 2006 to 244 in 2010, a 61% difference
• Fell and Scott: from 202 riders in 2006 to 410 in 2010, a 103% change.

On a city-wide basis, the percentage difference of cyclists from 2006 to 2010 is a rocketing 58%.

These high percentages are especially significant since the bicycle injunction kept the city from making virtually any improvements for biking in the city from 2006 through most of 2009. (The injunction was partially lifted in November 2009 and completely removed in August 2010).

The SFMTA conducts the annual bike counts in August when the weather is expected to be dry with moderate temperatures. This past August was unseasonably chilly, however, especially on the days of the bike counts. In NOPA the temperatures were in the low 60s with wind and fog that seemed "almost raining" to the SFMTA intern counting the bikes. How much the weather affected bike ridership is uncertain.

All three NOPA bike count locations are under scrutiny by neighbors, road users, and park advocates:

• Golden Gate and Masonic sits at midpoint of the corridor that neighbors and the SFMTA hope to re-design to better accommodate all road users. The Masonic community review process culminated in selection of the Boulevard design option to keep traffic at the posted 25 mph speed limit while also enhancing transit, bicycle, and pedestrian uses.
• The Panhandle Path at Masonic has been the site of collisions between motorists and cyclists. In addition, strollers using the path complain of sharing space -- and near-misses -- with high-speed cyclists, and cyclists counter that walkers often wander from their side of the path. In addition, Panhandle Park advocates and neighbors have called for installation of a new, separated bike lane on Fell Street to increase the safety for walkers and casual bikers on the multi-use path. The San Francisco Bicycle Coalition has proposed a preliminary design to Connecting-the-City with an east-west Fell Street component.
• The block of Fell between Scott and Divisadero has been the site of protests against the Arco service station and the traffic configuration near Divisadero. At the same time, the SFMTA experimented with several design changes that seem to have reduced the traffic tangle and the blocking of the bike lane.

Fix Fell Group Ends Protests, Leader Reflects on Impact & Activism

Stuart Matthews at BP/ARCO protest earlier this year

Weekly demonstrations attracted 10 to 100 individuals upset with oil spill and oil addiction

Fell traffic problems prior to additional traffic calming measures

Last spring when the country was reeling from news of the environmental disaster in the Gulf, local advocates for sustainable living organized the first of many weekly protests outside the BP/Arco service station at Fell and Divisadero. The activists named their group Fix Fell and announced their intent to continue the protests until the BP oil spill was stopped and the city designed a much safer westbound bike lane on Fell between Scott and Divisadero. Every Friday afternoon demonstrators appeared on the Fell sidewalk with signs calling for an end to oil addiction, protection of the country's natural resources, and a re-thinking of how the cheaper gas at Arco helps create a traffic maze that endangers bicyclists. On several occasions protesters blocked motorists from entering Arco. A few clashed with the station owner and police arrested several.

The oil leak has now been capped, and the city installed several traffic and bike lane changes that were in the works before the protests began. Nearby neighborhood associations, the San Francisco Bicycle Coalition, and individuals had pushed for safety improvements at Fell and Divisadero for several months prior to the bike lane improvements. Fix Fell's protests added to the review -- and criticism -- of the changes. Few observers have been wholeheartedly satisfied with the current traffic design, but an initial study suggests some improvements have resulted. Although Fix Fell members believe the street remains dangerous for cyclists, they ended the protests after 14 weeks.

BIKE NOPA interviewed Stuart Matthews, one of the leaders of Fix Fell, last September about the group's intentions and viability. I asked him recently to explain why the protests stopped. His reply follows. Matthews also reflects on the realities of taking direct action -- a term activists have employed for 100 years to protest political, social and environmental injustice.

I have been appealing, through actions and words, both written and

spoken, for more folks to get involved in direct action. Direct action
can't be sustained when only five people are willing to risk arrest and
deal with the legal consequences.

People in a privileged class - whether it is white, middle/upper class,
male, American - need to take more responsibility for their class's
destruction. Folks in our city and around the world suffer because of
our excesses, and we need to use our privilege for good and make
sacrifices to work to fix the destructiveness of our culture.

So, what I am saying, is that we will continue to work on this issue,
and there will probably be more direct action. But we could do so much
more if more folks felt compelled to take their responsibilities to the
world seriously.

We all have better things to do - that is true. Myself, for instance, I am busy taking care of my Mom, protecting civil liberties at my day job, and taking care of myself. If we had more folks in our movement that were willing to do the things that are needed, it would be a lot easier to keep our protests going at a high level.

BIKE NOPA asked Matthews about the accomplishments of Fix Fell. He believes the greatest impact of the protests have been to influence the San Francisco Bicycle Coalition (SFBC) and the Municipal Transportation Agency (MTA).

The SFBC has launched their Connecting the City campaign, with its
first priority being Fell/Oak, and their vision for Fell and Oak is a
good one. They didn't consult us on this, so I can't know for sure how
much of an impact we had on this, but I can't imagine it is a complete
coincidence.

The MTA has been paying more attention to the problems in that area (Fell Street between Scott and Divisadero), although clearly they haven't made any additional changes since the various paint treatments that they did.

For the future, Matthews anticipates a return to more visible advocacy.

The shift to behind the scenes stuff basically means that this is all
we, as a group, can afford (as far as time/energy) to take on right now.
In the new year we will be implementing an updated strategy and should
be able to invest fresh energy in it. It'll include more street
actions/direct action.

For additional stories on Fell Street changes and advocacy, search BIKE NOPA for Fell ARCO.

40% Fewer Motorists Block Green-Painted Fell Street Bike Lane in SFMTA Study

Bike lane on block of Fell Street painted green in August 2010

Forty percent fewer motorists blocked the Fell street bike lane near the Arco service station once the city painted the lane green, according to a study conducted by the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA). Of all the motorists waiting to enter the gas station before the green paint was applied, 25% blocked the bike lane. After the green, 15% of all the motorists queuing up for gas obstructed the bike lane. The change represents 40% fewer motorists in the way of westbound bicyclists. As one traffic engineer observed, "In the greater context of it, that's a pretty effective drop in blocking of the bicycle lane for something as 'simple' as coloring it."

In June of this year the SFMTA removed several parking spaces along Fell near the entry and exit of the Arco station to create a curb-side queue for motorists waiting to purchase gas. In August the SFMTA painted the city's second green bike lane to encourage safer passage for cyclists. Anecdotal evidence of the effectiveness of the interventions has been mixed. Removing the parking spaces opened up a long stretch of Fell and improved visibility for motorists, bicyclists, and pedestrians. Several bicyclists have observed greater ease traveling between Scott and Divisadero, but many others describe the traffic improvements as minimal and intermittent. No one would be hard-pressed to find instances of motorists partially or fully blocking the bike lanes, green or not. Every Friday during the evening commute, the grassroots group Fix Fell stages a protest on Fell with the intent of doing so every week until the city closes the Arco entry and exit. Now the SFMTA has presented data that, in effect, reflects both views: a 40% reduction is a considerable improvement, but much of the problem remains.

In the months ahead, more motorists may keep the green lane clear as they notice others doing so, but a cumulative effect it is difficult to predict. Little traffic enforcement has been observed on Fell near Arco -- at least none to keep drivers out of the bike lane. SFMTA interns informed motorists of the changes on Fell this summer, but the outreach has been discontinued. The only other major traffic design changes being discussed for Fell Street are the removal of the Arco curb cuts, the installation of a separated bikeway, or cycle track, from Scott to Stanyan streets, and the possibility of returning Fell to a two-way street.

The SFMTA study of this one block of Fell adds more data and local experience with the positive impact green bike lanes can bring to public safety and traffic flow. Market Street features the only other location of green-painted lanes in the city. The SFMTA plans to extend the green stripe on Market all the way to the Embarcadero, but not as quickly as the San Francisco Bicycle Coalition has urged, as reported in Streetsblog.

A minor note: The description of the study of the Fell green bike lane on the SFMTA website (scroll to mid-page) inaccurately reports 10% fewer motorists blocking the bike lane since it was painted green. The mistake reflects a misreading of the 25% and 15% findings mentioned in the first paragraph above. The relevant equation, for those inclined, is 1-(15/25) x 100.

1:15 pm Tuesday update: The SFMTA description of the study has now been updated.

Thanks to BIKE NOPA reader "S.N." for alerting me to the SFMTA report.

How Fixed is Fell? Update on the Protests with Stuart Matthews Interview

Stuart Matthews at June 11, 2010 Arco protest Photo: Michael Helquist

When 70 demonstrators gathered on Fell Street near the Arco service station June 11th, the protest organizers announced they would return to the site every Friday during the evening commute until the Gulf oil spill was capped and the Arco curb cuts were removed to permit a safer Fell Street bike lane. The group stuck to its vow: last Friday was the 12th weekly protest. The number of advocates have ranged from a dozen to one hundred, with a core group of six or seven. Their direct street action has been a mix of sign-carrying, chants, music, and, occasionally, more in-your-face taunts to motorists who push through the protesters to get to the gas pumps. SFPD monitors the protest, attempts to keep the entry open, and sometimes arrests those who refuse to move from the Arco driveway. The grassroots group has now organized itself as Fix Fell.

The BP oil spill appears to be stopped -- even as the damage continues -- and the Municipal Transportation Agency has installed a number of traffic calming measures along the troubled block of Fell between Scott and Divisadero streets. The MTA removed parking spots from 7am to 7pm to create a curbside queue for motorists awaiting their turn at the gas pumps, painted the city's second green bike lane on the block, added a "Don't Block Sidewalk or Bike Lane" sign, re-timed signal lights to reduce speeding on Fell, and established a left-turn only lane onto Divisadero.

Stuart Matthews has helped organize the weekly protests at Arco for the past three months. He was also arrested and jailed for blocking access to the station. His commitment is neither easy nor convenient: Matthews is an IT professional who juggles job and family responsibilities with his advocacy. BIKE NOPA spoke with Matthews last Friday afternoon, just before he headed out to Fell Street once again.

BIKE NOPA: The oil spill has been capped and the city has made several traffic changes to make this block safer for people biking and walking. Why does Fix Fell continue to protest each week?

Matthews: From day one, the new changes on the street have not been doing the job. There may be a difference, but in an any ten-minute period during rush hour, the bike lane is being blocked by motorists waiting for gas. But it's not just about that street and not just about a clear bike lane -- we need to get off the oil.

BIKE NOPA: Other than closing the Arco entry and exit, what else do you want for this block?

Matthews: From the start, we've been encouraging a complete re-design of the street. The whole street needs to be fixed. We'd like to see a complete re-engineering with a priority on safety rather than on the speed of motor vehicles. We hope to see a physically separated two-way bike lane on Fell. The bike network shouldn't be just for the young and adventurous to use.

BIKE NOPA: During the past three months of protests, Fix Fell appears to have adopted more mainstream positions with references like those you just mentioned to "separated bikeways" and biking safe enough for people "8 to 80." Is that the case?

Matthews: There could be some evolution of the group, but the core of the message is the same. We've felt compelled to identify the problem and to suggest solutions to the problem, but we're not traffic engineers, we're not experts in the field. We're advocates for the street to be re-thought and re-engineered. Our job is to keep the pressure on the city.

BIKE NOPA: City staff have conjectured that the Arco owner will likely sue the city if the curb cuts are removed. They suggest that the strongest position for the city will be to undertake every other possible measure to reduce a public health hazard at the site before removing the permit for the driveways. Do you think that position is valid and reflects the incremental changes made to this block?

Matthews: We know they have a process, and they've got to do it the way they've got to do it. But we're going to keep the pressure on.

BIKE NOPA: If the Fell Street entry and exit is closed, the only access to Arco will be from Divisadero, a street usually crammed with cars. If motorists seeking cheap gas block a traffic lane on Divisadero, the #24 Muni bus will also be slowed. Will Fix Fell's demand for curb cut removals on Fell result in a transit problem around the corner?

Matthews: It's not a given that the Arco station should be in the city at all. I don't think we should assume that that station should stay open. We understand these aren't trivial problems, but they need to be worked on. There are other gas stations that do or could cause problems too: the station to the west of Arco on Fell and another on Oak at Divisadero.

BIKE NOPA: On August 20th Fix Fell added music and talks to its protest. Supervisor Ross Mirkarimi, just returned from an environmental conference in Uruguay, stopped by the event and told the group that he would gather city officials in a room and not let anyone leave until a solution was in place for Fell/Arco. Have you heard anything more about the city moving on this issue?

Matthews: Another (Fix Fell) organizer, Josh Hart, is the one mostly in contact with Ross. I don't think we've heard of any movement there yet.

BIKE NOPA: Fix Fell members have criticized the San Francisco Bicycle Coalition (SFBC) for not using its political muscle to help close the Arco ingress and egress. Some members charged that SFBC was not recognizing the many other individuals and groups working to improve safety on Fell.

Renee Rivera, acting director of SFBC, told Streetsblog that SFBC members have reported positive effects from the Fell changes. She emphasized that SFBC is primarily focused now on developing separated bikeways to link all areas of the city. SFBC acknowledged that the organization's tactics are sometimes different from those of other groups, like Fix Fell, even if they share many of the same goals. SFBC leaders also reaffirmed the contributions from several neighborhood associations and individuals who urged adoption of the traffic calming measures on Fell. Have these remarks improved the relations between the two groups?

Matthews: SFBC's recent comments that shared the credit for work on Fell with other groups and individuals were helpful. Maybe not for everyone but for some. I support most of what SFBC is doing, but I also think it's helpful to have a more radical organization pushing to get things done.

BIKE NOPA: It seems unlikely that the city will take immediate action at Arco, especially while an impact study about the curbside queue and the bike lane is underway. How much longer will Fix Fell keep at its protests?

Matthews: We're going to keep the pressure on. We'll continue to be there every Friday.

*****

For more on the Fell/Arco situation, see the following:

• BIKE NOPA's two dozen stories on traffic calming measures at the site (search Fell Arco)
• Streetsblog coverage of calls to close the curb-cuts and of the Aug. 20 protest with video
• Fix Fell's website and an account of a member's arrest and jail time Aug. 20
• SFBC article on the Fell bike lane and its push for a safer bikeway