Page Slow Street, San Francisco’s Most Popular Slow Street, Becomes Permanent

SAN FRANCISCO — Yesterday evening, the SFMTA Board unanimously approved making Page Street a permanent slow street. The Slow Streets program, and especially Page Slow Street, has been one of the great transportation successes of the pandemic. Page has provided a safe space for pedestrians, families, and seniors to recreate while also providing safe east-west passage as part of the City's emerging bike network.

“This is a long time coming,” said Preston. “I’m proud to have worked with SFMTA, neighbors, and advocates to get this Page Street project across the finish line as a permanent slow street. Congratulations to everyone who worked so hard to make this happen!”

Preston submitted a formal letter of support to the SFMTA Board in advance of yesterday’s hearing. His office has vocally supported Page Slow street and intervened several times when improvements and approvals stalled. Page remains extremely popular with residents of the area, cyclists, and vision zero advocates citywide. In an SFMTA survey, 75% strongly support permanently limiting through traffic on Page Street.

“Page Slow Street shows that a street can be a vibrant community space where neighbors connect and build community,” said Jess Jenkins, Page Street Advocate. “Page Slow Street helps San Francisco achieve its climate crisis goals by encouraging walking, running, biking, and all types of rolling as part of an active transportation network. Its designation as a permanent slow street allows us to aim higher in transforming it into an amazing public open space.”

Preston took office in December 2019 and immediately advocated for the SFMTA Page Street Bikeway Improvements pilot in February 2020, which included restrictions on freeway-bound traffic and bikeway upgrades between Webster Street and Octavia Boulevard and the temporary measures to limit non-local traffic westward to Stanyan Street as part of the COVID-19 emergency Slow Streets Program. When the pandemic hit, Preston worked with MTA to make Page a slow street.

Along the way, the project has gained support but has also run into delays. In 2021, Preston’s office led a walk-through with community members, advocates, school and faith based leaders to provide in-depth feedback on the future of Page Slow Street, and when the project was delayed, worked with advocates and community members to get the Page Slow Stre et back on track.

The approval of Page Slow Street makes all existing measures permanent, including piloted freeway-access restrictions and bikeway upgrades east of Webster Street and slow-streets measures westward to Stanyan Street. You can read more about what was approved here.

Preston has vowed to continue advocating for stronger and better infrastructure, signage, street art, and other improvements that will promote safety and community.

“Today, we celebrate that Page Slow Street is permanent with significant improvements. We will continue our work to reduce carbon emissions, eliminate traffic fatalities, and achieve the green transportation system our City needs and deserves.”

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