Mayor Daniel Lurie announced the approval of Waymo's autonomous vehicles on Market Street in San Francisco, prompting a backlash from various advocacy groups. Advocates argue that this decision undermines years of progress in creating a safer, car-free corridor that promotes efficient transit and safe pedestrian access. They warn that the reintroduction of vehicles will jeopardize the current safety and efficiency of public transit systems, disrupt decades of public input on street designs, and establish a monopoly for Waymo, further complicating an already congested area.
By moving forward with this effort, the Mayor hampers Muni's recovery and makes Market Street significantly more dangerous for people walking, biking, scooting, and taking public transit, who must cross lanes of traffic to access boarding islands.
The Mayor's action also upends the robust, decades-long public process that led to car-free Market Street.
Mayor Lurie's unilateral decision to give Waymo free rein on Market Street is dangerous, undemocratic, and inequitable, creating a nearly two-mile-long City-sanctioned monopoly for the Google-owned tech company.
It is a step backward to a chaotic, dangerous Market Street that serves no one's purposes, including businesses.
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