Valencia Bikeway Improvements

The SFMTA Board endorsed a Side-Running Bike Lane (SRBL) in June 2024, based on feedback from the community about the need for a design that was more familiar, have more flexibility for vehicle maneuverability and passing, allow people on bikes to visit mid-block locations and keep vehicle and bicycle traffic separate. The new design does have tradeoffs, such as less curb space for parking and loading, a narrower bikeway on parts of the corridor and the need for people riding bikes to navigate between parklets and the curb. 

The Side-Running Bike Lane introduces a new concept to San Franciscans – “floating” parklets. These parklets, which are “floated” away from the curb, have been successful in Oakland and New York City. They allow for people on bikes to travel next to the curb, with floating parklets and parking spots providing protection from moving vehicles. All businesses with parklets on Valencia were given the option to move their parklet to a floating position, with reimbursement for necessary construction. The Shared Spaces program is creating new guidelines for “floating” parklets to ensure safety for people crossing between the parklet and the curb and people on bikes. In situations where a parklet was not able to move, the bike lane goes around the parklet, but infrastructure will be in place to protect people on bikes.

Staff has used this pivot to design down to every inch of the corridor, and maximize space for benefits such as placemaking, additional motorcycle parking and additional blue zones. Staff has also worked with every interested business on Valencia to design a bespoke curb management plan for the corridor that considers the unique parking and loading needs of different types of businesses.  

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Construction on the bike lane will begin on February 10, 2025, and take approximately 2-3 months. Wet weather can delay work which is why we cannot give an exact end date. Work will begin at Valencia and 23rd streets, and work northbound.

Construction will require three phases: removing the center-running bike lane, repaving part of the street and then installing the new side-running bike lane. We will also remove the overhead lines that power Muni between 16th-17th streets.

Access for people in cars and on bikes will be maintained going both directions on Valencia, but there may times that we need to close off a single block to get work done. There will be some parking removed during construction. Pay attention to signage that indicates parking removal.

There may be noise during grinding operations, but noise will be short-term and localized. We do not anticipate significant dust or equipment staging during this work. Work will typically take place between 9am and 6pm. 

Businesses owners have told us about the best times to do construction and we have heard that it is best for us to avoid summertime, the warm fall months and the holiday season. Beginning construction now allows for any disruption to happen during typically slower months.

We also created SFMTA’s first Construction Working Group, composed of community members, project staff and staff from SFMTA’s Shops. This group helped us plan specifics of the construction schedule and make sure everyone’s needs are considered. We are committed to mitigating the effects of construction as much as possible and making sure that Valencia is accessible during construction, whether by biking, walking or driving.

During construction, please contact us at Valencia@SFMTA.com or 415.646.2025. If there is a construction emergency, please call the Public Works radio room at 415.695.2134.

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The graphic below shows a sample block of the Side-Running Bike Lane. As illustrated:

• Curbside Parklets: Some parklets will remain at the curb because it is a more convenient location for that business. In those cases, the bike lane will go around the parklet. People on bikes will still be protected from vehicle traffic.

• Floating Parklets: Some parklets will “float” away from the curb to allow for the bike lane to run between the curb and the parklet. This design has been successful in Oakland and New York City. Design and safety elements will be put into place to make sure that people can cross safely between the parklet and the sidewalk.

• Floating Parking Spots: Parking spots will “float” away from the curb. This design already exists on Valencia between Market and 15th streets. This helps preserve parking, while separating people on bikes from vehicle traffic. 

• For a more detailed experience, view this sample block of Valencia Street as a PDF.
• You can view the boards used at the open houses and explore the design that was approved at the November 19 SFMTA Board meeting, which incorporated feedback from the open houses.

Sign up for email list

We invite you to sign up to get updates on what’s happening on Valencia Street. Once construction begins, this will be the easiest way to get construction forecasts and updates. You can choose to receive emails and/or text messages. The sign-up button is on the top right hand of this page.

Contact us

We welcome your feedback at Valencia@SFMTA.com or 415.646.2025. 

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