Open Columbus Avenue To Pedestrians During COVID-19
SFMTA Director Jeffrey Tumlin and San Francisco Mayor London Breed
During Shelter in Place, we’re asking for Columbus Avenue to be opened up to allow more room for residents to safely walk and still be socially distanced. This can be done quickly by narrowing the road to one lane in each direction.
In ordinary times, the sidewalks of North Beach’s main thoroughfare are already crowded and often inconvenient. Now, they are dangerous. No one should be put at additional risk because of crowded sidewalks as they go about essential work or support local businesses.
Other cities have already done this. Denver, Philadelphia, and Minneapolis have all opened up miles of streets to residents in the past few weeks to allow for safe open streets.
By the way, we should not stop at Columbus Avenue! All throughout District 3 and San Francisco, there should be roadways converted to safe, open walking spaces within 5 minutes of anyone.
Why?
It’s Critical to Social Distancing & Our Safety
Health officials recommend 6 feet of social distancing to be safe when walking. Most of Columbus Avenue has 10 foot wide sidewalks, meaning you are forced to walk into the street or take a risk when passing someone else.
It Supports Local Businesses
Many businesses on Columbus Avenue and nearby streets of Grant Ave, Powell, and Stockton are open for take-out and essential services. Allowing a safe path to get to these businesses will encourage people to go out and feel comfortable supporting their local restaurants and grocery stores.
Cars and Buses Need Less Room
Right now, car travel is minimal. There is only one MUNI bus line running on Columbus Ave, and it goes for just two blocks. We can return one lane in each direction with no impact to those who still need to travel by vehicle or bus right now.
Our Neighborhoods Are Behind
In San Francisco, Supervisors Haney, Preston, and Mar have identified spaces in their neighborhoods where safe open streets can exist.
But there has been no movement by our current District 3 Supervisor to create safe open streets in the northeastern corner of San Francisco. Let’s change that!
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Paid for by Danny Sauter for Supervisor 2020. FPPC #1424479. Financial disclosures are available at SFEthics.org
Petition by
To:
SFMTA Director Jeffrey Tumlin and San Francisco Mayor London Breed
From:
[Your Name]
During Shelter in Place, we’re asking for Columbus Avenue to be opened up to allow more room for residents to safely walk and still be socially distanced. This can be done quickly by narrowing the road to one lane in each direction.
In ordinary times, the sidewalks of North Beach’s main thoroughfare are already crowded and often inconvenient. Now, they are dangerous. No one should be at additional risk as they go about essential work or support local businesses because of crowded sidewalks.
Other cities have already done this. Denver, Philadelphia, and Minneapolis have all opened up miles of streets to residents in the past few weeks to allow for safe open streets.
By the way, we shouldn’t stop at Columbus Avenue! All throughout District 3 and San Francisco, there should be roadways converted to safe, open walking spaces within 5 minutes of anyone.
Why?
It’s Critical to Social Distancing & Our Safety
Health officials recommend 6 feet of social distancing to be safe when walking. Most of Columbus Avenue has 10 foot wide sidewalks, meaning you are forced to walk into the street or take a risk when passing someone else.
It Supports Local Businesses
Many businesses on Columbus Avenue and nearby streets of Grant Ave, Powell, and Stockton are open for take-out and essential services. Allowing a safe path to get to these businesses will encourage people to go out and feel comfortable supporting their local restaurants and grocery stores.
Cars and Buses Need Less Room
Right now, car travel is minimal. There is only one MUNI bus line running on Columbus Ave, and it goes for just two blocks. We can return one lane in each direction with no impact to those who still need to travel by vehicle or bus right now.
Our Neighborhoods Are Behind
In San Francisco, Supervisors Haney, Preston, and Mar have identified spaces in their neighborhoods where safe open streets can exist.
But there has been no movement by our current District 3 Supervisor to create safe open streets in the northeastern corner of San Francisco. Let’s change that!