Board backs Vision Zero plan to reduce pedestrian and cyclist deaths, urges interagency action

The San Francisco Board of Supervisors unanimously adopted a resolution March 18 urging the mayor, police and municipal transportation agency to adopt a Vision Zero plan and accelerate pedestrian- and bicycle-safety improvements.

Supervisor Jane Kim, the item's lead sponsor, framed the measure as a commitment to eliminate pedestrian fatalities within a decade and called for a coordinated citywide approach combining engineering, enforcement, education and evaluation. "This is a commitment from the city, to 0 pedestrian fatalities in 10 years," Kim said. Several supervisors, including Scott Wiener and John Avalos, praised the resolution and said it must be followed by engineering work to redesign dangerous corridors.

Policy focus: Supporters said that roughly 60 percent of traffic injuries and fatalities occur on 6 percent of city corridors and argued that targeted investments in those corridors can reduce deaths rapidly. Supervisors urged the SFMTA and SFPD to prioritize design changes, traffic-calming measures and enforcement focused on the highest-risk locations.

Process and oversight: The board directed agencies to coordinate a plan and noted that the Transportation Authority will convene a committee to track progress. Several members urged sustained departmental attention and budgetary support to overcome bureaucratic bottlenecks that have slowed street-safety projects.

Vote: The resolution passed unanimously (11-0) on a roll-call vote.

Ending: Sponsors said they will follow up with ordinance and budgetary proposals to fund engineering work and to refine enforcement and educational components of the Vision Zero strategy.