Presidio More Bike-Friendly for Bike to Anywhere Day

San Francisco, CA (May 17, 2021) — Today, an innovative road treatment called Advisory Bike Lanes (ABL) were completed on Graham Street on the Presidio’s Main Post — increasing the bike lane network and making it easier for visitors to navigate the park without a car. The work is in support of the Presidio Trust’s goal to reduce the greenhouse gases emitted by people traveling to the Presidio by making it more comfortable for people to walk, bike and take transit to and around the Presidio.

The Trust is partnering with the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) to pilot California’s first ever Advisory Bike Lanes. Used extensively in Europe to increase the safety and comfort of people biking, Advisory Bike Lanes have been installed in 30-40 sites in North America, but not in California. The results of the two-year pilot test will be used to inform the formal adoption by the Federal Highway Administration nation-wide. Graham Street was selected for the study because of its relatively low number of cars.

“As we confront climate change, we all have to find ways to reduce greenhouse gases. At the Trust, we want to be a leader in showing how people can have great national park experiences without using a car,” says Jean Fraser, CEO of the Presidio Trust. “Advisory Bike Lanes are a way of making biking safer and more comfortable without reducing access by people who need to drive, such as folks with mobility challenges. We’re very excited to be a part of this innovative study.” The Advisory Bike Lanes allow for two-way travel by people biking and driving, and also keeps parking on one side of the street to maintain accessible parking for visitors and tenants.

What are Advisory Bike Lanes?

Advisory Bike Lanes are used on narrow, low-volume, and low-speed roads, common to the Presidio. Vehicles share the center lane while bicyclists use the bicycle lanes on each side. When two cars traveling in opposite directions approach each other, they merge into the bike lane to pass, yielding to any cyclists who are present. This is similar entering a bike lane to make a right turn, a common practice. The Trust expects yielding and passing maneuvers to be rare due to the low vehicle volume on Graham Street.

During 12 months of the COVID-19 pandemic, car traffic in the Presidio dropped to less than half of pre-pandemic levels, and bike traffic more than doubled — a trend the Trust hopes will persist. The Trust recently formed a partnership with Bay Wheels to provide bike share with dockless e-bikes in the park and is completing other road projects to improve safety and comfort for people walking and biking in the park. This includes the recent installation of a mini roundabout with protected bike lanes and additional crosswalks at the intersection of Lincoln and Girard, and additional separated bike lanes in other areas of the park.

People can ride their bikes to the park or bring their bicycles on the bus, due to the ongoing partnership with the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency to extend city bus routes into the park. Recently the two agencies collaborated to extend the MUNI 30 route from Chinatown and the Marina neighborhoods to Crissy Field. In addition, the free PresidiGo shuttle bus that runs to and from the Presidio from locations in downtown San Francisco, has bike racks on all buses.

It will take a little time for drivers to get used to these new traffic treatments. The Trust is engaging in a public awareness campaign consisting of signage, media outreach, community outreach, and digital communications.

About the Presidio and the Presidio Trust

The Presidio Trust is a federal agency that manages the Presidio of San Francisco, a national park site at the heart of the 82,000-acre Golden Gate National Recreation Area. In partnership with the National Park Service and the non-profit Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy, the Presidio Trust brings alive the park’s historic, natural, and recreational assets for the inspiration, education, health, and enjoyment of all people. Spanning nearly 1,500 acres in a spectacular setting at the Golden Gate, the Presidio is defined by its history, spectacular views, natural habitats, and beautiful open spaces. It is home to 3,000 residents and 200 tenant organizations, whose rents support the park. The Presidio Trust is focused on welcoming all to the national park experience, protecting and enhancing the environment, and operating in service to the public. Learn more at www.presidio.gov.