1of11Cyclists and different supporters of Automobile Free JFK take heed to audio system throughout a rally outdoors Metropolis Corridor in San Francisco, Tuesday, April 26, 2022, in assist of holding the east facet of Golden Gate Park’s John F. Kennedy Drive completely freed from vehicles. Supervisors voted Tuesday to ban motorists from the favored street in San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park, making everlasting a closure that began within the early days of the coronavirus pandemic when folks wanted area to train and distance socially. (Jessica Christian/San Francisco Chronicle by way of AP)Jessica Christian/APPresent ExtraPresent Much less2of11Sarah Katz-Hymanm proper, and her canine Goldberg greet a good friend whereas becoming a member of lots of at a rally on the steps of Metropolis Corridor in San Francisco, Tuesday, April 26, 2022, in assist of holding the east facet of Golden Gate Park’s John F. Kennedy Drive completely freed from vehicles. Supervisors voted Tuesday to ban motorists from the favored street in San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park, making everlasting a closure that began within the early days of the coronavirus pandemic when folks wanted area to train and distance socially. (Jessica Christian/San Francisco Chronicle by way of AP)Jessica Christian/APPresent ExtraPresent Much less3of114of11Folks train alongside JFK Drive at Golden Gate Park on Tuesday, April 26, 2022, in San Francisco, Calif. Supervisors voted Tuesday to ban motorists from the favored street in San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park, making everlasting a closure that began within the early days of the coronavirus pandemic when folks wanted area to train and distance socially. (Yalonda M. James/San Francisco Chronicle by way of AP)Yalonda M. James/APPresent ExtraPresent Much less5of11Lainey Monsef carries an indication throughout a rally on the steps of Metropolis Corridor in San Francisco, Tuesday, April 26, 2022, in assist of holding the east facet of Golden Gate Park’s John F. Kennedy Drive completely freed from vehicles. Supervisors voted Tuesday to ban motorists from the favored street in San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park, making everlasting a closure that began within the early days of the coronavirus pandemic when folks wanted area to train and distance socially. (Jessica Christian/San Francisco Chronicle by way of AP)Jessica Christian/APPresent ExtraPresent Much less6of117of11Assemblymember-elect Matt Haney speaks throughout a rally outdoors of Metropolis Corridor in San Francisco, Calif. Tuesday, April 26, 2022, in assist of holding the east facet of Golden Gate Park’s John F. Kennedy Drive completely freed from vehicles. Supervisors voted Tuesday to ban motorists from the favored street in San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park, making everlasting a closure that began within the early days of the coronavirus pandemic when folks wanted area to train and distance socially. (Jessica Christian/San Francisco Chronicle by way of AP)Jessica Christian/APPresent ExtraPresent Much less8of11Assemblymember-elect Matt Haney speaks throughout a rally outdoors of Metropolis Corridor in San Francisco, Tuesday, April 26, 2022, in assist of holding the east facet of Golden Gate Park’s John F. Kennedy Drive completely freed from vehicles. Supervisors voted Tuesday to ban motorists from the favored street in San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park, making everlasting a closure that began within the early days of the coronavirus pandemic when folks wanted area to train and distance socially. (Jessica Christian/San Francisco Chronicle by way of AP)Jessica Christian/APPresent ExtraPresent Much less9of1110of11Fabricio Doyle, 9, waves a big California flag whereas becoming a member of lots of of others throughout a rally outdoors Metropolis Corridor in San Francisco, Tuesday, April 26, 2022, in assist of holding the east facet of Golden Gate Park’s John F. Kennedy Drive completely freed from vehicles. Supervisors voted Tuesday to ban motorists from the favored street in San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park, making everlasting a closure that began within the early days of the coronavirus pandemic when folks wanted area to train and distance socially. (Jessica Christian/San Francisco Chronicle by way of AP)Jessica Christian/APPresent ExtraPresent Much less11of11
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Supervisors voted Tuesday to ban motorists from a preferred street in San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park, making everlasting a closure that began within the early days of the coronavirus pandemic when folks wanted area to train and distance socially.
After a 12-hour assembly, the Board of Supervisors voted 7-4 for Mayor London Breed’s proposal. The bulk sided with supporters who mentioned a car-free promenade was in step with town’s dedication to safer roads and cleaner local weather.
Different roads within the park — which sees greater than 24 million guests a 12 months — will keep open to drivers.
Advertisement
Critics argued that completely closing the 1.5-mile (2.4-kilometer) portion of John F. Kennedy Drive would lower off park entry to people who find themselves disabled, aged or stay farther away whereas benefiting choose bicyclists and runners.
Advertisement
Some folks requested for a compromise to maintain the street car-free on weekends solely, saying drivers wanted entry in the course of the week.
“To shut down parts of the park says to a sure geography, says to a sure class of individuals, says to a sure race of individuals right here in San Francisco that you just weren’t welcome earlier than and also you’re nonetheless not welcome,” Board President Shamann Walton, who represents one of the vital numerous and low-income elements of town, mentioned in the course of the assembly.
The battle between motorists and pedestrians and bicyclists has raged in San Francisco for roughly two years. In August, Breed introduced {that a} stretch of coastal freeway that was closed to vehicles in 2020 would reopen to automobiles in the course of the week.