[danans]

This isn't surprising when you consider that SV developed primarily during the era of car-focused city planning. In that sense, it's not terribly different than any other post-WWII US suburban area.

There are recent efforts in SV by people and groups[1] who advocate for more pedestrian and bike friendly development, but that is happening on the margins in an area whose development pattern has been established and hence is difficult to change.

[1] http://www.spur.org/