Bike NOPA reported yesterday on a new flyer that the SFMTA has been handing out to drivers as they enter the ARCO station on Fell and Divisadero, warning them not to block the bike lane.
The flyer reads:
AVOID BLOCKING THE BIKE LANE AND SIDEWALK
WAIT IN THE CURBSIDE LANE
Vehicles waiting to enter the gas station are blocking the bike lane and forcing people on bikes into high-speed traffic.
THE CURBSIDE LANE IS OPEN 7:00AM – 7:00PM EVERYDAY
The flyer also contains side-by-side photos of the right and wrong ways to enter the gas station:
Interns are apparently handing out these flyers and speaking with drivers about the bike lane, trying to educate them on the issue. Their outreach is limited, but sites like SFist and Curbed are already spreading the word.
The new Fell Street traffic design (the subject of all this fuss) was installed at the end of June. The SFMTA had hoped to alleviate a serious safety issue for bicyclists by diverting gas-seeking drivers safely into the ARCO station without blocking the bike lane. They added new solid striping for the bike lane, removed parking spots during day time hours, and posted Tow-Away signs along the curb to discourage parking in the new turn lane — but so far, drivers seem generally to be ignoring the new configuration.
All of this should not be confused with that other issue at ARCO — namely its role as a subsidiary of BP, which has inspired weekly Friday night protests at the station.
(And if that BP/Lockerbie link is true, they might want to start thinking about installing a third traffic lane just for protesters.)
We’ll keep an eye on the traffic situation at Fell, and let you know if these flyers have any effect. Meanwhile if you’re a regular bicyclist or driver on this route, let us know what you think!