Skip to Content
Streetsblog California home
Streetsblog California home
Log In
Streetsblog SF

Eyes on the Street: Cargo Way Bike Lane Finally Gets Paved

Finally, SF’s first protected bike infrastructure gets some smooth pavement. All photos Streetsblog/Rudick

It opened in 2012. This week, it finally got paved.

The Cargo Way bike lane, San Francisco's first concrete (and chain-link fence in this case) protected bike infrastructure, was described as having "dangerously uneven pavement" the day it opened.

The pavement continued to deteriorate to the point of making the two-way path almost unusable. Then, to add insult to injury, San Francisco Public Works (DPW) came by in August and paved the truck and car lanes--but left the bike lane as it was.

But this week all that changed. A crew came through and, as first reported by Stanley Roberts at KRON4, finally put down some fresh asphalt in the bike space.

A crew was there today cleaning debris off the path. The workers on the scene weren't sure when the striping would get done.

IMG_20180309_121458
This crew was cleaning the end of the Cargo Way protected bike lane today
false

So why did it take so long to repave it? One crew member said "money." The other said "We didn't have small paving machines. We had to rent them."

Isn't that kind of the same thing?

They looked at each other, shrugged, and nodded.

So far, it doesn't look as if the missing segments of the much-maligned chain-link fence are getting replaced. Streetsblog has a request in with DPW to find out if what's left will be torn out, repaired, or left to rust.

IMG_20180309_121838
Another look at the smooth pavement and the remains of the chain-link fence
false

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More from Streetsblog California

CalBike Extends Deadline to Submit Ideas/Proposals for Panel Discussions at April Summit

One more week to get your ideas in to make the 2026 Bike Summit a memorable one.

November 17, 2025

Monday’s Headlines

The World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims was Sunday, and Dozens of Cities Worldwide Planned Memorials...

November 17, 2025

Report: Biden Infrastructure Bill Spurred Increase in State and Local Highway Spending

The Urban Institute found an overall increase in capital investment in ground transportation — mostly on highways — and flat investment in public transit.

November 16, 2025

Transportation Politics Is Inherently Radical

And we need to embrace that if we want to win.

November 16, 2025

The Week in Short Videos

High-Speed Rail, an L.A. Metro smart bike locker how-to, and a push for a new pedestrian plaza in L.A.'s Koreatown

November 15, 2025

Advocates React: Sunset Supervisor ‘Recalled’ Again

Beya Alcaraz resigns a week after Mayor Lurie appoints her to fill out the term of former D4 Supervisor Joel Engardio.

November 14, 2025
See all posts