Previously: SF’s Bike Plan Hits The BoS, But Don’t Expect A Quick Fix(ie)
San Francisco supervisors this evening approved the environmental impact report for the city’s bicycle plan, paving the way for a more bicycle-friendly San Francisco.
The supervisors unanimously voted against an appeal of the environmental impact report and in favor of adopting the report, according to Board President David Chiu’s office.
The approval represents nearly the last legislative hurdle for the plan to add 34 miles of bike lanes to the city’s existing 45-mile network, as well as dozens of other improvements for bicyclists.
The city’s Planning Commission in late June certified the report, which was then approved by the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Authority board of directors.
But an appeal of the report by opposition groups prompted today’s hearing before the Board of Supervisors.
Following the hearing, the board certified the plan’s final environmental impact report by an 11-0 vote.
The approval will go before the board again next Tuesday for a second and final vote, before heading to Mayor Gavin Newsom’s desk.
The plan, originally drafted in 1997, is aimed at promoting physical health, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and improving traffic congestion in the city.
In addition to the new bike lanes, the plan calls for 75 miles of shared-use lanes with cars, as well as other improvements such as expanded access to transit and bridges, and hundreds of new bike racks.
Mayor Gavin Newsom and the Board of Supervisors approved an updated version of the plan in 2005, but opposition groups were granted an injunction until an environmental review of the plan could be completed.
Once the plan is given the mayor’s approval, the city attorney’s office can ask the court to lift the injunction, allowing the plan to move forward, barring any further legal challenges.
