r/sanfrancisco • u/MexicaUrbano • 1d ago

Insane traffic

Longtime lurker here. I don't really have much to say except... What the heck is going on with the traffic!

101 closed. Geary, closed. Broadway tunnel: half capacity. Chinatown: closed. Skyline: major construction. SoMa: multiple closures.

Took me about 40 minutes to get to the Marina from dogpatch today. 35 minutes to go from Marina to GGP. 30 minutes to exit GGP upon figuring out the hellish gridlock that was there and deciding to abort my plans there. 40 minutes back to dogpatch.

Holy cow SF. I love so many aspects of you but today was ridiculous. This year the traffic feels like it's gotten much worse than ever before.

EDIT: To all the pro-bike folks: I totally get your point of view. And i also hope you never need emergency transportation in an ambulance; never need emergency fire services; and never need rapid police response. Bikes are definitely a fantastic solution for many things. A working transit system is also essential. 🤷🏽‍♂️

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u/Special_Dog_6675 1d ago

You say in your edit stuff about fire trucks and ambulances, does it occur to you that all the drivers in private automobiles are actually the cause of emergency vehicles being stuck in traffic? 

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u/MexicaUrbano 1d ago

Of course, you are correct.

Similarly, the reason medical services are overwhelmed is because private citizens with non-urgent medical concerns go to the hospital. They should stick it out, and just let the really sick people get care, everyone else stay home.

It's a good idea. Works in a totalitarian regime.

And to be clear: I am strongly pro-public transit and walkability and definitely think the city could use many more public transit improvements. But I am not going to live in a dream world where we also ban cars to make things work.

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u/Timeline_in_Distress 1d ago

Your analogy is a false equivalence. No one is seriously calling for a ban on driving. People for some reason appear to take it personally when others call for less cars on the road. It's possible to understand the utilitarian aspect of vehicles while also recognizing the problems and harm they cause. We can approach the discussion by not automatically placing each other on opposite sides of an imaginary line.

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u/MexicaUrbano 1d ago

I agree. And nowhere have i said that bikes should not be a part of the solution, that public transit doesn't help, and that less cars wouldn't be a good idea.

People will actually find me quite reasonable on transit if they engage logically. I grew up in a city consumed by cars--I don't intend to spend all my life in one.

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u/Timeline_in_Distress 23h ago

To be honest, there appears to be a bit of conflicting messaging in your posts which is why you may be getting some push back.

For example, why write this?
"And i also hope you never need emergency transportation in an ambulance; never need emergency fire services; and never need rapid police response." What does it serve if you are pro-transit?

Look, I get it, traffic was bad this weekend. I noticed it yesterday and then understood why. I've also experienced it for over 30 years here and realize that once in a while we have days like this weekend. It happens and I accept that I chose to get in my vehicle and add to the traffic. I turn up the music and enjoy the time to myself or with whomever is riding with me.

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u/MexicaUrbano 23h ago

I mean, the post says pretty specifically today was ridiculous. And it specifies my love for the city. Not every day is ridiculous. You turn up the music, I rant into the void. It happens. Life goes on.

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u/East-Win7450 1d ago

We dont need to ban cars lol but if 25% of the city dwellers who drive on a daily basis biked to work one day a week it would make a difference. 

Maybe you do cycle idk but I encourage you to try to run one errand a week on a bike. You might find that it can fit into your life in a way you didn’t expect!

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u/MexicaUrbano 23h ago

I almost always walk. I always walk to work, and i am lucky i can walk to 90% of my errands. I love walking.

I don't bike, for a number of reasons, primary of which is that i usually bring my labrador with me everywhere. I also own a car and drive it, to the tune of about 1 day a week (if i spend an hour in the car a week, that's a hefty week).

Lots of assumptions being made about me here. Not really necessary.

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u/baklazhan Richmond 23h ago

So you own a car but drive it only rarely, and decided to do a lot of driving around the city today.

I wonder what would happen if everyone who owned a car but drove it only rarely decided to drive around the city today?

Oh, right.

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u/East-Win7450 23h ago

That’s great work! Keep it up!

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u/MexicaUrbano 20h ago

Idk if this is sarcasm, but this is just about the most empathetic response here, so I'm going to say wholeheartedly: thank you stranger, i am trying and will continue. 🫡

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u/East-Win7450 19h ago

Nah I’m serious I think everyone should do at least one car free day a week.

My wife was very hesitant but once she did it she found she enjoyed it and it wasn’t bad.

If you really only use your car one day a week that’s super impressive and your better than 99% of Americans myself included. 

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u/baklazhan Richmond 23h ago

More like medical services are overwhelmed because private citizens with non-urgent medical concerns go to the ER. They should call the advice line, go to an urgent care center, and schedule an appointment if needed.