San Francisco (Crohn– Rideshare companies are now allowed to work in one of the most crowded streets of San Francisco. Infantry safety preachers protested to return to Al -Souk Street – the day when Waymo began to capture passengers on Al -Souk Street on Tuesday.
There are now places like Blick Art Mateials in 6th Street for people who want to capture them by Waymo or other Rideshare service. However, safety advocates say that this endangers pedestrians and cyclists at risk.
Waymo and a limited number of Uber and “Lyft Back” cars are now allowed in San Francisco Souk Street. However, the new rule was met with the opposition.
“The Souk Street was much better without cars-more safely,” said Claire Bonham Carter, a San Francisco ride, Claire Bonham Carter.
Since private cars were banned on the road in 2020, traffic injuries have decreased by 40 %, according to the San Francisco Cycling Coalition.
“So before the Market Street Street disappeared between 2016 and 2019, there were 82 injuries on Souk Street every year. This is an injury every five to five days. This is not the world that we want to return to,” said Christopher White of the bike alliance in San Francisco.
“It seems that people have forgotten how dangerous it is and how it was messy, and we cannot return to that,” said Marta Lindsey, San Francisco Communications Manager.
However, the change is already underway. The city has operated seven customized areas of loading on Al -Souk Street within hours “outside the peak”.
For Waymo, this is from 9 am to 4 pm and from 7 pm to 6 am
Uber Black and Lyft Black will only work in these areas from 7 pm to 6 am
SFMTA plans to monitor safety data. Mayor Daniel Lori’s office says this is all effort to support economic recovery in the city center, and some merchants also hope for it.
“This means only that people have more access and opportunity to reach the financial neighborhood, go to Ferry Square and enjoy the area,” said Tonya Bates, one of the market’s director on the market.
Critics worry about this will back down from years of progress.
“Anyone with a poster can effectively lead, and we will not impose everything,” said Venus Banknx.
“We are already witnessing on the first day people driving private cars on Al -Souk Street – on the road to Moni Vehicles and breaking the law,” said Luke Bornheimer, Executive Director of Street Luke Bornheimer.
“In the case of Waymo, the vehicles are empty, so in the area of one Moni vehicle, you may have one person in two cars. It can suit the same Muni 60 to 80 people. You tell me anyone who will attend more people in the city center and help it to activate the city center.”
Infantry safety defenders say they still hope that Lori will reflect this decision, and they fear that this is the first step only to eventually make the market an open street around the clock throughout the week.