You may have heard that an Appeal was filed against the City’s Fell and Oak Bicycle and Pedestrian Safety Improvements project.

Appeals are not uncommon, and according to the SFMTA, work on the important safety improvements is continuing. (Note that an appeal is not a lawsuit.) As far as we know, temporary striping was put in place this morning. Street crews report that striping will begin this week, weather permitting.

The Fell and Oak Bicycle and Pedestrian Safety Improvements Project underwent extensive community outreach and planning. Over the course of the last year, the SFMTA held 18 meetings with neighborhood and community groups, including three large, public community meetings that drew hundreds of people. During the planning process the City also reached out to individuals and groups that represent people with disabilities. In additional outreach, San Francisco Bicycle Coalition member-volunteers went door-to-door talking about the project with neighbors and business representatives along the entire corridor.

This project, which was unanimously approved last month by the SF Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA) Board of Directors, will add corner sidewalk extensions, narrow the street space, and change the signal timing – all improvements expected to calm fast-moving auto traffic and make it easier to cross the street on foot or in wheelchairs. And the new crosswalk design will help make pedestrians more visible. The bikeway design planned for the street have been proven elsewhere to make walking and bicycling more inviting, as well as having an overall traffic-calming effect, which means every one is safer.

As for what’s next, we understand that the hearing of the Appeal has been scheduled for December 11 at the SF Board of Supervisors. We also understand that additional approved pedestrian and bicycle safety components of the project are expected to move forward as part of the project implementation during the coming months.

Thanks to the many people who have worked on behalf of this crucial safety project over the years. We will continue to share any major updates as we learn more. See more about the history and design of the project at sfbike.org/fell.