Rules Committee forwards Cheryl Brinkman to full Board; discussion focuses on Vision Zero, TEP and funding

The Rules Committee on April 17 voted to forward Mayor Edwin Lee’s reappointment of Cheryl Brinkman to the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency Board of Directors, after the nominee outlined priorities including Vision Zero pedestrian-safety measures, bicycle infrastructure for women and expanding Muni capacity.

Brinkman told the committee she has served as MTA vice chair and has focused on pilot projects under the Transit Effectiveness Project (TEP), Vision Zero, bicycle strategy and parking-management reforms. She described challenges largely tied to funding, saying the agency has "leveraged a lot of federal support" but that local ballot measures and political will are critical to expand rolling stock and service. She also advocated for automated enforcement tools: "Red light cameras, forward‑facing cameras on our buses, and speed cameras will all need to become standard," she said.

Public comment included opposing remarks from Gil Criswell, who urged supervisors to reject the nomination unless the MTA provides free Muni for seniors and people with disabilities, and to withhold support for the MTA budget until those changes are made. Supporters from Walk San Francisco and Folks for Polk emphasized Brinkman’s commitment to Vision Zero and outreach to diverse neighborhoods.

Supervisor David Campos and Vice Chair Katie Tang both voiced support for Brinkman’s record of community engagement and transportation leadership. Supervisor Tang made the motion to forward the nomination; Chair Norman Yee noted no objections and the committee’s positive recommendation was adopted and will be transmitted to the full Board for confirmation.

What happens next: The committee’s recommendation will be listed on the Board of Supervisors agenda for April 29. The full Board will consider the reappointment and the larger MTA budget and fare issues at subsequent hearings.