New car-free zone to debut on Twin Peaks

Visitors heading to Twin Peaks this week may find they can now admire San Francisco’s cityscape without the fear of becoming roadkill.

Starting Wednesday, a two-year pilot program that aims to increase pedestrian and bicyclist safety will begin at the popular landmark. The eastern portion of the “figure eight” loop between Twin Peaks Boulevard and the Christmas Tree Point Road parking lot will now be a car-free zone.

The project is part of the Municipal Transportation Agency’s Twin Peaks Redesign Figure 8 Project. Transit agency officials developed the pilot with the Recreation and Parks Department and Public Works. The transit agency’s Board of Directors approved the $50,000 pilot on April 19.

Paint and temporary barriers are in place to create the car-free zone, said transit agency officials. The western portion of the loop will now convert from one-way to two-way traffic.

The SFMTA said the idea was to the make it easier and safer for those walking and biking to the top of Twin Peaks.

Once the pilot is in place, officials from the Rec and Parks Department will post a survey on their website and schedule meetings to give feedback publicly.

Transit agency officials will evaluate the pilot in a number of ways, including monitoring parking and traffic behavior, the number of cars and tour buses in the area and the speed of vehicles.

Using data staff gatherers, SFMTA officials said they will analyze the findings to come up with a permanent plan for the area.

According to Rec and Park’s officials, funding for the project comes from a grant through the Priority Conservation Area, local Proposition K funds and the 2008 Clean and Safe Neighborhood Parks bond.

The pilot will expire May 31, 2018.

Jerold Chinn

Jerold serves as a reporter and San Francisco Bureau Chief for SFBay covering transportation and occasionally City Hall and the Mayor's Office in San Francisco. His work on transportation has been recognized by the San Francisco Press Club. Born and raised in San Francisco, he graduated from San Francisco State University with a degree in journalism. Jerold previously wrote for the San Francisco Public Press, a nonprofit, noncommercial news organization. When not reporting, you can find Jerold taking Muni to check out new places to eat in the city.