The SF Chronicle Asks SFMTA Spokesmodel Paul Rose for Pedestrian Law Advice and He Gets It 100% Wrong: Countdown Timers

sfcitizen – excerpt

Here we go:

“Is a pedestrian supposed to stop as soon as the numbers start to flash? Can the walker proceed throughout the countdown? Or, as one letter writer seemed to think, is the countdown really for the benefit of drivers? We asked Paul Rose, spokesman for the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency, for the answer.

“It’s an awareness tool to let pedestrians know how much time they have to cross the street,” he said. “All pedestrians are strongly encouraged to make responsible decisions on when they should or shouldn’t cross.” But can a pedestrian get ticketed – ha! – for starting to walk when the countdown is near zero? Nope. “They can start whenever they want,” Rose said.”

Now here’s what a countdown timer looks like, in the City and County:

Note that San Francisco peds see an “approved upraised hand symbol” right next to the countdown timer.

Now here’s Da Law:

“Flashing or steady “DON’T WALK” or “WAIT” or approved “Upraised Hand” symbol: No pedestrian shall start to cross the roadway in the direction of the signal, but any pedestrian who has partially completed crossing shall proceed to a sidewalk or safety zone or otherwise leave the roadway while the “WAIT” or “DON’T WALK” or approved “Upraised Hand” symbol is showing.”

Oh, here’s another stab at this subject:

According to California Vehicle Code 21456, pedestrians can’t walk if there’s a “Don’t Walk” sign or an upraised hand symbol. Anyone who has started crossing after one of those flashes should proceed to a sidewalk or safety zone.

And this appears to be a common ticket handed out to peds near the LA County Courthouse.

And here’s another reference…

“V C Section 21456 Walk Wait or Don’ t Walk

Walk, Wait, or Don’t Walk

21456.  Whenever a pedestrian control signal showing the words “WALK” or “WAIT” or “DON’T WALK” or other approved symbol is in place, the signal shall indicate as follows:

(a) “WALK” or approved “Walking Person” symbol. A pedestrian facing the signal may proceed across the roadway in the direction of the signal, but shall yield the right-of-way to vehicles lawfully within the intersection at the time that signal is first shown.

(b) Flashing or steady “DON’T WALK” or “WAIT” or approved “Upraised Hand” symbol. No pedestrian shall start to cross the roadway in the direction of the signal, but any pedestrian who has partially completed crossing shall proceed to a sidewalk or safety zone or otherwise leave the roadway while the “WAIT” or “DON’T WALK” or approved “Upraised Hand” symbol is showing.

Amended Ch. 413, StaEts. 1981. ffective January 1, 1982″… (more)

RELATED:
SF chronicle_ask sfmta_spokesmodel_paul_rose about the countdown signals

Is the SFMTA Up to the Task?

by Randy Shaw : beyondchron.org – excerpt

On February 4, the San Francisco Municipal Transit Agency (SFMTA) holds its annual retreat and budget workshop. Once primarily identified with MUNI service, the Board is now the lead agency for pedestrian safety, bicycle routes, street and traffic redesigns, BRT’s and the planned revival of Market Street as a car-free, world-class thoroughfare. But adding so many new programs to SFMTA’s to-do list has resulted in lengthy delays in implementation. Since delays are occurring despite SFMTA’s top notch leadership, it’s time to consider a new Department of Pedestrian Safety to lighten SFMTA’s load… (more)

Yet another voice calling to lighten the SFMTA task load. There are a number of suggestions on how to accomplish this. Randy Shaw presents his version here.

 

 

San Francisco Deserves Sunday Free Parking

by Randy Shaw : beyondchron – excerpt

All San Franciscans should cheer Mayor Ed Lee’s plans to return to Sunday free meter parking. Meter fees are regressive, the fiscal shortfall causing the parking charges is gone, and Sunday is historically when working people take family outings. Yet two groups I normally agree with, pedestrian and bicycle advocates, oppose Lee’s plan. They want the city to keep Sunday meters and use the estimated $7 million gained to fund pedestrian safety measures. This view is divisive and shortsighted. Nickel and diming the public on Sunday parking meters is a bad idea that must end.

California progressives have learned the hard way that not all fees for government services are the same. Some very progressive and relatively small charges—like the long little noticed vehicular license fee, renamed the “Car Tax”—can result in a Governor’s recall and the installation of a Republican successor in a very blue state.

Parking meter fees are in this category… (more)

RELATED:
Letters: Give SF a parking break – San Francisco Examiner

Mayor Lee’s Pedestrian Safety Plan: Have SFPD Enforce Existing Laws

by Bay City News : baycityynews – excerpt

In advance of a joint hearing Thursday by San Francisco politicians and police on pedestrian safety, Mayor Ed Lee has released plans for increased enforcement, training and a citywide public awareness campaign on the issue.
The hearing, being held by the San Francisco Police Commission and the Board of Supervisors’ neighborhood services and safety committee, comes after several recent pedestrian deaths, including that of a 6-year-old girl in the city’s Tenderloin neighborhood on New Year’s Eve.
In an effort to increase pedestrian safety, Lee announced today a 12 percent increase to the Police Department’s motorcycle unit and said police will target what city data has identified as the 50 most dangerous intersections for pedestrians… (more)

 

 

San Francisco Bike Laws

SFMTA

SAN FRANCISCO BICYCLISTS MUST:
Yield to People Walking. Whether they’re in a crosswalk or not, ALWAYS yield to people walking.
Stop BEHIND the Crosswalk: Always stop behind the line at traffic signals and stop signs.
Stay on the Street: It’s illegal to ride a bike on the sidewalk unless you’re younger than 13 years of age.
Ride in the Direction of Traffic: If you can’t go with the flow, it’s okay to WALK your bike on the sidewalk!
Obey Traffic Signs & Traffic Lights: Just like other vehicles on the road, obey all street signs and signals.
Be Seen: Rear reflectors and a front light are REQUIRED when riding in the dark! Red tail lights are strongly recommended.
Avoid Distraction: No headphones, calling or texting while riding – it’s the law!… (more)

Lets hope the cyclists learn the laws.

RELATED:
Bicycle Rules of the Road
Download the Rules
2009 San Francisco Bicycle Plan Update

The 2009 San Francisco Bicycle Plan outlined 60 improvement projects and long-term opportunities for bicycle route upgrades.
The following is a list of near-term projects that remain and are anticipated to be constructed within the five years following the completion of the Bike Plan’s final environmental review:

• Project 2-1: 2nd Street bicycle lanes, King Street to Market Street
• Project 2-3: 14th Street eastbound bicycle lane, Dolores Street to Market Street
• Project 2-7: Fremont Street southbound bicycle lane, Folsom Street to Harrison Street
• Project 3-2: Masonic Avenue bicycle lanes, Fell Street to Geary Boulevard
• Project 3-4: Polk Street northbound contraflow bicycle lane, Market Street to McAllister Street
• Project 5-6: Cesar Chavez/26th Streets corridor bicycle lanes, Sanchez Street to US 101
• Project 5-13: Bayshore Boulevard bicycle lanes, Paul Avenue to Silver Avenue
• Project 7-1: 7th Avenue at Lincoln Way intersection improvements

Revised options for Polk Street that exclude bike lanes gain support from merchants

By: Will Reisman : SFExaminer – excerpt

A revamped Polk Street proposal that would include safety upgrades at intersections but few improvements for cyclists has garnered support from residents and merchants.
The San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency, which manages traffic policies, outraged merchants along the bustling corridor this year by proposing to reduce parking in favor of more access for cyclists. Following the backlash, the agency came back with six new options — three each for portions of Polk Street north and south of Geary Street.
Option A for upper Polk — the densest area of the corridor — has gained backing from the Save Polk Street Coalition, a group of merchants and neighborhood residents.
Dan Kowalski, owner of Flipp, a furniture store on Polk and Green streets, said many cyclists he talked to said they’d be satisfied if the corridor was repaved and markings were made clearer — upgrades both included in Option A…
Spokesman Paul Rose said the SFMTA will analyze feedback collected from an open house meeting last Saturday and another hearing scheduled for today before making recommendations on the Polk Street overhaul… (more)

So get to that hearing if you care about Polk Street.