Historic Vote: Board of Supervisors Approves Car Free JFK Legislation

SAN FRANCISCO — Late Tuesday evening, the San Francisco Board of Supervisors passed legislation to make JFK Drive in Golden Gate Park permanently car-free. Advocates celebrated the major milestone in the years-long battle for car-free space in the heart of Golden Gate Park.

“It means so much to see this come to fruition. We need a robust network of safe streets for walking and biking across our City, and Car-Free JFK is a critical part of making that a reality. Car-Free JFK will move our city toward a greener, safer future,” said Supervisor Dean Preston, a longtime supporter of Car Free JFK and one of the sponsors of the legislation.

The approval of Car-Free JFK continues the strong momentum for greener and safer streets across the city, including in District 5 the Page Slow Street, the Fell Street bike lane, and the Oak street quick build bike lane project. All of these projects feed into and from Golden Gate Park, connecting the east side of the City to the west through a crucial network of safe streets.

“Today, the Board of Supervisors made history. They voted in favor of our safety, health, and climate,” said Jodie Medeiros, Executive Director of Walk SF. There is overwhelming support for having 100% car-free space – and in a city where an average of three people are hit each day while walking, it's time we establish safe, car-free space in our biggest park.”

The approval of this legislation at the Joint Special Transportation Authority Board Meeting with the Board of Supervisors follows extensive public comment and outreach by Rec and Park and the SFMTA. It includes access improvements to Golden Gate Park for seniors and people with mobility challenges and programs to address access from more distant neighborhoods.

For more details regarding the City’s Car-Free JFK plans, click here.

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