[bsimpson]

It can be maddening to see both how little vision and how much time change-resistant people have to protest.

Polk Street in SF could have been the coolest public space in the region if they'd simply had the balls to say "Cars dominate every other street within a mile of here. We're going to make Polk into an open-air promenade that you're welcome to walk or casually bike through." They could have even razed a building within a couple blocks of there and put it ample parking if that's what it took to make progress. Our commercial districts should be destinations, not thoroughfares, and Polk was so close to becoming that before they caved to a propaganda war by some frightened old-timers.

On a completely separate note, if you're interested in cycling policy and working with stubborn merchants like those on Polk, chat with Gary Fisher. He's a smart guy who's spent a lot of time thinking about how to work collaboratively with people who are nervous about changing street priorities. He also is pretty easy to bump into if you hang out with cyclists in SF or Marin.

[chema]

It is maddening, but I also understand where some Polk merchants are coming from. They're being asked to stake their livelihood on a relatively radical proposal, at least by American standards.

I would like to see the City create some sort of financial incentive (like a tax credit) to bring them on board when it comes to safety improvements. In the long run, it would pay for itself.

I've worked with Gary in the past but thanks for the bringing him up, I'm going to reach to him and have a beer!