Statement by BikeSD and RideSD onThe City of San Diego’s Proposed Mobility Master Plan

We are excited about the general vision laid out in the updated Mobility Master Plan, particularly the prioritization of more sustainable forms of transportation. It is reassuring to see the City of San Diego acknowledging and working to rectify the mistakes of the last century. While only time will tell whether the City’s response is effective in mitigating traffic violence, curtailing greenhouse gas emissions, and giving San Diegans the freedom to move, we are grateful for this step in the right direction. 

With that said, there are some areas of improvement that we’d love to see:

• Take a Class IV first approach: If we want all ages and abilities to bike and roll around San Diego with confidence and assurance that their lives are not constantly at risk, we need to ensure that they are protected from adjacent motorists.

• Focus on improved transit services: San Diego has some of the highest transit ridership in the United States but much of the system lacks connectivity and reliable frequencies. The City and MTS must work towards addressing these issues to increase ridership and meet mode share targets. We recommend implementing strategies proven to increase reliability: transit-only lanes, transit signal priority, and higher frequencies.

• Close the first/last mile gap: Until we have greater density around transit centers, trolley stations, and bus stops, the City must ensure that those living or working further away from the transit stop can get there comfortably using a variety of options, not just driving. We recommend bikeshare, neighborhood electric vehicles, and improved transit transfer services.

• Manage parking: Parking can generate billions of dollars for the City of San Diego if priced correctly and dynamically. It would benefit the City to increase the number of parking districts and use incoming revenue to improve pedestrian, bike, and transit infrastructure. 

• Aggressively expand slow streets: Neighborhoods across San Diego would be safer with slower streets. We need to shift our view of streets, not merely as places to pass through, but places people live, walk, ride, and play.

• Increase density and housing affordability: While this is not within the scope of the Mobility Master Plan, the City should ensure that its citizens are not forced out of more walkable regions and into more car-centric neighborhoods. The City needs to reduce its citizens' commutes, not only to work, but to essential destinations like grocery stores, medical clinics, schools, and parks. 

• Work closely with community based organizations (CBOs): CBOs bring valuable knowledge and a deep understanding of the needs of the communities they serve. In a city as large as San Diego, municipal staff can greatly benefit from working with CBOs to identify problems and brainstorm solutions tailored to each community’s needs.

We look forward to a future where San Diegans can live and move more comfortably.