Work begins to remove controversial Valencia Street bike lane in San Francisco
Work began Tuesday to remove the controversial Valencia Street bike lane, the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency said.
The center-running bike lane was closed on Tuesday and work to remove it began after a week-long delay due to rain. The bike lane will be moved back to the curb, with parklets and parking spaces acting as a barrier.
The center lane proved controversial. It was meant to create a safer environment for cyclists, but the two-way bike lane caused confusion.
One cyclist said the center lanes made it difficult for them to get on and off the road and that he had seen multiple cars driving over the protective barriers and down the bike lanes.
It was also a source of frustration for business owners. A Mission District business owner said the unusual design limited parking in the area and changed traffic patterns.
The project is expected to be done in about two to three months. Crews began work at Valencia and 23rd streets. They will then proceed toward Market Street.