[Carfreeliving] Carfreeliving - sidewalk parking, sidewalk committee

[Jason Henderson]

I really have no idea what to do except somehow get BoS to inquire and 
act, but that could be easier said than done.
My biggest concern with response from going after sidewalk parking is 
that it becomes this psuedo populist issue about "families" and so on. 
Somehow the great liberal SF with its precautionary principle and 
anti-oil war stance can't figure out the parking thing. Like beating a 
dead horse.

I understand that Walk SF has this on their agenda, so maybe it is best 
to start by seeing where they are on it. I know it has surfaced in the 
last two years.  Rich, Cheryl, Emily, i am sure you guys have much 
greater insight on the political dynamics of this? What about an 
informal meeting at carfree happy hour, which I assume Dave will send a 
notice about soon? I have missed a couple so hope to get to the next one.

By the way, tonight at the Hayes Valley Neighborhood meeting, myself and 
other members of our board were called "blind car haters" by Bill Maher 
(former BoS). The topic was the UC extension but he seemed to really 
want to vent about "car haters."  HVNA passed a resolution opposing the 
AF Evans proposal. For us it was about a lot of things, but parking (too 
much) was up there.

-jh

Amber Elizabeth Crabbe wrote:
> Sidewalk parking is also one of my pet peeves especially when it forces
> me into the street, and ESPECIALLY when it forces someone using a walker
> or wheelchair to backtrack to a curb cut and then spend a significant
> amount of time in traffic.  At least those of us who are able-bodied
> enough have the option of walking OVER the car hood instead of
> endangering ourselves in the street.  It's funny to me that sidewalk
> parkers often get a lot angrier about me climbing over their vehicle
> than getting a ticket...
> 
> As far as exemptions go, I am also opposed.  If you accept the privilege
> and responsibility of driving a car in an urban environment like San
> Francisco, you accept the challenges that come with it, like finding
> parking.  These should all be done without EVER impeding or endangering
> other, less impact-full, users of the street by blocking sidewalks.
> 
> To me it's ironic that:
> 
> *if a small group of people taking up as much volume and road surface
> area as a car try to temporarily uses the public space designated for
> moving vehicles, they will all get arrested for blocking traffic.  
> 
> *if a car temporarily uses the public space designated for moving
> vehicles and blocks traffic (whether due to a stall or collision or
> picking up dry cleaning), they will usually get sympathy and support
> from other drivers, or at least they will simply be navigated around.
> Usually no tickets, certainly no arrest.
> 
> *yet if a CAR temporarily uses the public space designated for MOVING
> PEOPLE (i.e. sidewalks), the driver usually won't even get a ticket,
> much less towed, much less arrested.  
> 
> So the walking public is chastised for even expecting parallel "rights"
> to delineated space on our streets.
> 
> I'm up for meeting with others who want to think of ways to change this.
> 
> Amber
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Carfreeliving-bounces at livablecity.org
> [mailto:Carfreeliving-bounces at livablecity.org] On Behalf Of Near,
> Mitchell E.
> Sent: Thursday, January 26, 2006 11:50 AM
> To: Carfreeliving at livablecity.org
> Subject: Re: [Carfreeliving] Carfreeliving - sidewalk parking,sidewalk
> committee
> 
> Hi folks,
> 
> I read what Jason had to say and I am in strong agreement with him.
> Autos create a myriad of problems, and the fact that in SF, drivers can
> consistently park on the sidewalk is outrageous (and by default - the
> city government allows this).  To have sidewalks clear for walking is
> not a radical proposition!  In Europe, many cities are, and have,
> created ped only streets and even whole areas.  Now that would be truly
> radical if done here -- with the auto nuts coming out of the woodwork to
> work on preventing that.
> 
> WalkSF once had a sidewalk committee.  We met a couple of times, and
> some members did meet with DPT officials.  Of course, nothing much
> happened.  The last time we met (6 months ago?), several members
> promised to take certain actions and never did.  Thus, much frustation.
> 
> Let's consider forming a new sidewalk committee.  We need to brainstorm,
> plan, influence, and change this situation.  I'm thinking we (any of you
> who are interested) could meet informally at least once and talk about
> the possibilities.  I could meet after work one evening.  I work in the
> SF financial district.  Thanks!
> 
> 
>>__________________
>>
>>Mitchell Near
>>Applications Analyst
>>Morrison & Foerster
>>Phone: (415) 268-7586
>>Fax: (415) 276-7586
>>mnear at mofo.com
>>*
>>__________________
>>
>>
>>
> 
> 
> ========================================================================
> ====
> 
> To ensure compliance with requirements imposed by the IRS, Morrison &
> Foerster LLP informs you that, if any advice concerning one or more U.S.
> Federal tax issues is contained in this communication (including any
> attachments), such advice is not intended or written to be used, and
> cannot be used, for the purpose of (i) avoiding penalties under the
> Internal Revenue Code or (ii) promoting, marketing or recommending to
> another party any transaction or matter addressed herein.
> 
> For information about this legend, go to
> http://www.mofo.com/Circular230.html
> 
> ========================================================================
> ====
> 
> This message contains information which may be confidential and
> privileged.  Unless you are the addressee (or authorized to receive for
> the addressee), you may not use, copy or disclose to anyone the message
> or any information contained in the message. If you have received the
> message in error, please advise the sender by reply e-mail @mofo.com,
> and delete the message.
> ========================================================================
> ====
> 
> 
> _______________________________________________
> Carfreeliving at livablecity.org mailing list 
> to facilitate and promote car-free living in SF
> To unsubscribe:
> mailto:Carfreeliving-request at livablecity.org?subject=unsubscribe
> or, for all options, go to:
> http://livablecity.org/mailman/listinfo/carfreeliving_livablecity.org
> 
> 
> _______________________________________________
> Carfreeliving at livablecity.org mailing list 
> to facilitate and promote car-free living in SF
> To unsubscribe: mailto:Carfreeliving-request at livablecity.org?subject=unsubscribe
> or, for all options, go to:
> http://livablecity.org/mailman/listinfo/carfreeliving_livablecity.org
> 

-- 
"Make wetlands not war"

Jason Henderson
Native New Orleanian
living in San Francisco
Cell: (415)-425-5844
Home: (415)-255-8136