San Francisco Considers Banning Cars on Major Boulevard
by Andrew Posner, Providence, Rhode Island 
on 07.29.08
San Francisco Considers Banning Cars on Market St.
In what seems to be a growing trend in major cities, San Francisco is considering banning cars on part of Market St., one of its central boulevards. The proposal "would permanently close to all traffic except for city mass transit vehicles. . .between Octavia Boulevard and the Embarcadero." Many have argued for a similar proposal over the years, including former Mayor Willie Brown, though perhaps even a city like San Francisco--always at the forefront of progressive initiatives--needs high gas prices in order to be able to finally push the plan through. After all, when Mayor Brown floated first the idea he "faced strong opposition from the business community." Perhaps now that more people are finding alternatives to driving there will be less opposition.
The plan would close a "2.3-mile portion of Market Street" and "would open the often-congested roadway to pedestrians and cyclists, though [Superviser] Daly said there would still need to be places where cars and other vehicles could cross." At the same time, there are plans to add bike lanes and improve mass transit, assuring that even if cars aren't banned from the street, significant improvements will be made.
Via: ::SFGate.com
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I don't know San Fran too well, but this sounds like what they did to Chestnut Street in Philadelphia in the 70's. It slowly killed retail on the street and became an undesirable place to go. Nearby Walnut street (with traffic) flourished. In the last few years they overturned the decision and the street is slowly recovering.
Sounds like a good idea, but might not work well in practice.
This is great! Hopefully it will go into effect!!!
I wonder what the argument(s) against this street closure will be?
Ban cars period
I agree with Peter N. We did this sort of thing in the 60's & 70's and it didn't turn out well. I hope the city planners study at there history books before they implement this. Perhaps with some lessons learned it can be done without hurting the businesses.
Re: PeterN's comment
I don't know that this type of initiative failing in the 70s is any indication of how it would work today. There was no reason to leave your car at home back then.
Closing Market to cars won't harm it one bit...there isn't a place to park them anyway. If anything it will improve traffic and flow...anyone who has driven down it knows it isn't worth it.
There are probably 300k+ people there daily.
Minneapolis did this with Nicollet Avenue for roughly 2 miles throughout downtown. Granted, Nicollet Avenue is only two lanes and not four, but it's Buses, taxis, and bikes only. It also happens to be home to some of the best restaurants (and outdoor seating) in the city, while being known as "eat street."
Banning cars Market St is a great idea! I live here and always try avoid driving down it. It's too complicated- I always get this feeling that I am driving in the wrong lane or breaking some law. It's also the street where two city grids meet and can be very confusing for those who aren't aware.
This would in no way take away from the retail on Market. Not to mention they are mostly (not all) corporate stores and are located north of Market and in/around Union Square.
(Go to Upper Haight for the good shops)
Curious to see how it would work out. My immediate thought was, that would be a neat thing to try at Times Square. I think this is a good idea in places that are massively central, with so much congestion and pedestrian traffic that no one really want to drive through anyway.