A bike safety project in San Francisco will move forward with $1.2 million in state funding to install protected bike lanes connecting Golden Gate Park and the Presidio, Assembly Budget Chair Phil Ting announced Thursday.
Following the traffic death of world champion cyclist Ethan Boyes, who was struck by a car on Arguello Boulevard on April 4, cyclists pushed for new safety measures in the area. The Arguello Quick Build Bicycle Safety Project will review and propose safety measures that could include having parked cars, safe-hit posts or other barriers to separate cyclists from moving traffic, according to Ting.
"Ethan's passing is such a loss," said Ting in a statement. "I'm answering our community's calls for better bike lanes and improved safety for cyclists in Richmond. We honor him by making sure vehicles and cyclists can coexist and safely travel on Arguello Boulevard, so that another tragedy doesn't happen again. This funding brings the project across the finish line."
Currently, the bike lanes on Arguello Boulevard have painted lanes for cyclists but no physical barrier.
Supervisor Connie Chan said she supports the project. "I'm especially grateful to Assemblymember Phil Ting's leadership as our state Assembly Budget Committee chair fighting for funding for our community so together we can create a safer Richmond District for pedestrians, cyclists and transit riders," Chan said.
San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency estimates the construction phase of the Arguello Quick Build Bicycle Safety Project will begin this winter.