MEDIA RELEASE

SAN FRANCISCO – A legislative proposal for new bicycle parking requirements was approved yesterday by the San Francisco Planning Commission with a 6 to 0 vote. The proposal will amend the current bicycle parking requirements in the Planning Code in response to an increase in bike use in the city.

“Every day, we’re seeing more people choose bikes as their preferred mode of transportation,” said President of the Planning Commission, Rodney Fong. “We are proud to move this proposal forward so that San Francisco will continue to be seen as the preeminent city for cyclists.”

The new amendment to the Planning Code will reflect the national standards for bicycle parking, and allow San Francisco to incorporate best practices from other bike-friendly cities such as Portland, New York, and Vancouver. The proposal will categorize the bicycle parking requirement into two types:

1. long-term parking geared towards residents and employees of buildings; and
2. short-term parking serving commercial building visitors.

The requirements will vary depending on the building use, such as residential, retail, clinic or an office, and the building’s volume of bicycle trips. The proposal also allows flexibility for property owners to convert required car parking spaces for bicycle parking. In addition, the proposal will include a bicycle parking manual, a comprehensive overview of the design and layout guidelines for different types of bicycle racks.

“Yesterday’s action by the Commission moves us one step closer to creating a well-rounded transportation structure for our current and future residents,” said John Rahaim, planning director.

Since August 2012, the San Francisco Planning Department worked closely with San Francisco Bike Coalition, Building Owners and Managers of San Francisco, San Francisco Residential Building Associations, Union Square Community Benefit District, Real Estate Department, the Department of Environment, and San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency to understand and address their concerns on the proposed bicycle parking requirements.

The proposal is anticipated to go before the Board of Supervisors in June 2013. If the proposal is adopted, garages and buildings owned and leased by the City will be required to upgrade the bicycle facilities within one year to comply with the new Planning Code standards. The proposal will also require new and renovated privately owned commercial buildings, and new residential buildings to comply with the bicycle parking requirements.



Media Contact: Joanna Linsangan
415.575.9119 | joanna.linsangan@sfgov.org