Christopher White, executive director of the San Francisco Bicycle Coalition, expressed concerns over Mayor Daniel Lurie's decision to permit Waymo autonomous vehicles on Market Street. White said that this move undermines transit safety and years of public planning. His comments were made on the SFBike website.
"If we want Market Street to reclaim its rightful place as a commercial and cultural destination, it should be safe and welcoming to people," said White. "Prioritizing safe, affordable ways of traveling, like walking, biking, and transit, achieves that aim. Handing the street over to a single private company flies in the face of San Francisco's values and goals."
According to Planetizen, Waymo is set to gain a significant advantage over competitors like Uber and Lyft by becoming the only ride-hailing service allowed on Market Street, where those companies remain banned. Although initially excluded under the Better Market Street policy aimed at preserving safety and transit reliability, Waymo was quietly permitted to survey and prepare for operations there. If approved, this special access would diverge from the city's longstanding transportation strategy and raise concerns about fairness and preferential treatment in San Francisco's ride-hailing landscape.
The Market Street fact sheet indicates that since private cars were banned from the street in 2020, the corridor has become significantly safer and more efficient for all users. Traffic collisions have decreased by 40%, with an average of 46 injury crashes per year compared to 82 before the policy was implemented. Additionally, Muni has become faster and more reliable, achieving 14% quicker travel times, higher rider satisfaction, and more efficient use of drivers and buses while serving 410,000 daily trips citywide.
According to his LinkedIn profile, as executive director of the San Francisco Bicycle Coalition, White advocates for equitable, sustainable transportation and safer streets for all. With a background in both arts and education, he brings a creative approach focused on justice to reimagining public space and expanding access to active mobility.