»In which the traffic circles stage a comeback

The San Francisco Bicycle Coalition fondly recalls some traffic calming measures in District 5 and thinks that the short-lived traffic circles were just the beginning. They call for the city to build a bike boulevard along this "quiet, residential" street, along the lines of what the City of Berkeley has done. After the inept design and construction of the traffic circles in the Lower Haight, I am none too eager for the City of San Francisco to undertake this.

A bicycle boulevard treatment applied to Page St. could dramatically reduce the volume and speed of traffic, and reduce or eliminate stop signs, making bicycling along Page much easier, safer, more efficient and pleasant. It would not "close" the street to cars- drivers would still be able to access every point along Page, but using this neighborhood street as a speedway or auto cut through would be a thing of the past. For example, a driver would not be able to use Page St. to get from Golden Gate Park to Market St. (Oak St. is a better alternative) as they might be required to turn left at Masonic and Divisadero. This would dramatically reduce through traffic on Page while maintaining resident and local access.

I do not like the Lower Haight traffic circles. Best intentions and all that, but no: these were a failure from the minute they were constructed, shabby pieces of workmanship in narrow intersections and without clear signs.