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

Eyes on the Slow Street: Shotwell Signage Improvements

Note: GJEL Accident Attorneys regularly sponsors coverage on Streetsblog San Francisco and Streetsblog California. Unless noted in the story, GJEL Accident Attorneys is not consulted for the content or editorial direction of the sponsored content.

Multiple SFMTA crews were out replacing and upgrading "Slow Streets" signs on Shotwell in the Mission, from 14th to Cesar Chavez Thursday morning. From an SFMTA statement on social media:

First up: New signage! The previous signs were prototypes. These are meant to last: They’re affixed to the roadway, highway-grade, and reflective for better visibility at night. They’re going in closer to the center of the street so they can’t be missed.

SFMTA is also installing plastic diverters at major intersections, such as 20th seen here:

A diverter at Shotwell and 17th prevents through traffic and left turns onto Shotwell
A diverter at Shotwell and 20th prevents through traffic and left turns onto Shotwell
false

SFMTA is boasting about its upgraded installations on Shotwell and other streets that will be made permanently off-limits to through traffic, post-pandemic. Streetsblog is, of course, thrilled to see streets being returned to the people of the neighborhood. And the passage of A.B. 773 will help things move even faster.

"I’m happy to see the latest changes," wrote Livable City's Tom Radulovich, who lives in the area, in an email to Streetsblog. "Shotwell slow street has been popular with neighbors, and it’s great that SFMTA has taken the next step towards transforming the street. They will complement the speed humps already installed there."

However, Streetsblog was disappointed to see SFMTA crews replacing plastic straws with, well, more plastic straws (sorry, "safe hit posts"). Even if those plastic treatments are better secured, they're still plastic. In fact, the crew at 24th pushed away a locally installed guerrilla planter (see lead image) that would do more to actually stop an errant motorist than what they were replacing it with.

Streetsblog is in no way blaming the crews. They were rightfully moving the planter because it was partially blocking a disabled parking space. It's just ironic.

The crew left the planter next to this parklet across the street
The crew left the planter next to this parklet across the street
false

The thing is, the motorists who are the most dangerous don't stop because of plastic posts--they run over them. And sometimes they run over people after that. SFMTA could at least switch to concrete-colored posts, such as those used on Doyle in Emeryville, to give motorists the impression they are installing an impenetrable barrier. In Emeryville they even mixed in some old concrete garbage cans they already had in a warehouse, just in case a motorist figured out the other bollards are actually plastic.

That's what a city does when it commits to safety, rather than still worrying that solid posts and objects might cause damage to the cars of errant drivers.

SFMTA needs to up its game and start using concrete--something more akin to what Berkeley uses for its Bicycle Boulevards, as seen below:

A bicycle boulevard in Berkeley, blocked by concrete. Photo: Streetsblog NY/Naparstek
A bicycle boulevard in Berkeley, blocked by concrete. Photo: Streetsblog NY/Naparstek
false

"They do seem rather tentative, especially compared to what the most progressive cities are doing," added Radulovich. "I hope Shotwell neighbors get a chance to design some truly permanent improvements for the streets."

Because if SFMTA officials are still expecting motorists to voluntarily and universally respect Slow Streets because of some plastic posts, well, just note how many motorists already ignore the law and, well, common decency, by parking in crosswalks and on sidewalks (such as below, seen multiple times, on Shotwell):

PXL_20211014_184343586
Sidewalk parking is still ubiquitous on Shotwell--and everywhere else. Imagine trying to get down this sidewalk in a wheelchair or with a cane.
false

Streetsblog has reached out to SFMTA to find out if concrete barriers are in the works and will update this post accordingly, but there's certainly no indication as of yet.

PXL_20211014_183600255
Slow Streets signs on Shotwell, drilled into the asphalt more securely, and centered in the street, but still easy to run over.
false

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More from Streetsblog California

First OC Streetcar Arrives

The $649 million 4.1-mile OC Streetcar light rail line is 92 percent complete, and now anticipated to open in spring 2026

May 8, 2025

Thursday’s Headlines

California and Trump continue to spar and more news from up and down the state.

May 8, 2025

Talking Headways Podcast: ‘Normal’ is Not Correct, Someone Died Here

After a crash, the debris is quickly cleaned up and everyone moves on (usually too quickly). But these two experts are asking us to all slow down.

May 8, 2025

Metro Names Bill Scott as Chief of Police

Chief Scott and Metro leadership emphasized that keeping Metro transit safe would require a multi-faceted approach that included the deployment of officers as well as collaboration with the community, ambassadors, and service providers. "Sometimes enforcement is the answer," Scott said. "Sometimes it's not."

May 7, 2025

State Supreme Court Reinforces Rules that Cities Must Maintain Safe Roads

When Ty Whitehead was injured in a crash caused by a pothole in Oakland, it sparked an eight-year legal battle that is still being waged.

May 7, 2025
See all posts