San Francisco transportation officials are planning to temporarily close off a number of streets to car traffic in the coming weeks in an effort to open up more space for pedestrians to practice social distancing during the coronavirus pandemic.

The San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency said Tuesday that starting this week, up to three streets could be closed off to through traffic for multiple blocks so people may walk or bike safely in the streets while maintaining at least 6 feet of distance from others.

The agency’s “Slow Streets” program plans to add several streets each week, using signs and traffic cones to reroute cars. Erica Kato, a spokeswoman for the SFMTA, said “local access,” like allowing drivers to get to their homes, would still be allowed.

The initiative follows the city’s decision to cut back drastically on Muni service during the pandemic, prompting more people to use other modes for transportation for essential services. Oakland began banning cars from streets this month, with officials planning a total of 74 miles of closures — about 10% of the city’s roadway space.

“The most important thing people can do is remain home, but when you must go out this will help allow for physical distancing,” Mayor London Breed tweeted Tuesday.

Starting this week, @sfmta_muni will launch a preliminary Slow Streets program to reduce and slow vehicle traffic.



The most important thing people can do is remain home, but when you must go out this will help allow for physical distancing. https://t.co/pRRJWrROAd — London Breed (@LondonBreed) April 21, 2020

The streets were selected “to supplement reduced or suspended Muni routes, while providing bicycle and pedestrian access to essential services,” the agency said. “Many of these streets run parallel to other major streets and transit routes.”

Kato said the SFMTA was committed to closing the first corridors — 41st Avenue from Lincoln Way to Noriega Street and Page Street from Stanyan to Divisadero streets — by the end of the week.

“The purpose of Slow Streets is to manage traffic speeds and create a safe network for essential walk and bike travel while transit service levels are reduced,” Jeffrey Tumlin, SFMTA’s director of transportation, said in an email. “Our agency is committed to giving San Franciscans the necessary space to practice social distancing as they leave their homes for critical needs.”

Jodie Medeiros, executive director of Walk San Francisco, an advocacy group for car-free spaces and pedestrian safety, called the first phase of the Slow Streets initiative “a great start” toward transforming streets into “safe people space.” She added that the car-free blocks should be wedded to additional street-safety initiatives, such as red-light cameras, to maximize pedestrian protections.

Not everyone was enamored with the SFMTA’s vision for Slow Streets so far. Supervisor Aaron Peskin tweeted that he was baffled by the agency’s initial choices for the first phase of the project.

Back to Gallery SF to begin closing city streets to cars to encourage... 4 1 of 4 Photo: Constanza Hevia H. / Special to The Chronicle 2 of 4 Photo: / 3 of 4 Photo: / 4 of 4 Photo: Constanza Hevia H. / Special to The Chronicle







“I have no idea how SFMTA came up with this because apparently they didn't have time to reach out,” he wrote. “At first glance, they seem more concerned with recreating in less dense areas than responding to requests to address social distancing needs of seniors & low income people of color in (District Three),” which he represents.

The list of San Francisco corridors that could be closed includes:

• 17th Street from Noe Street to Valencia Street.

• 20th Avenue from Lincoln Way to Ortega Street.

• 22nd Street from Valencia Street to Chattanooga Street.

• 41st Avenue from Lincoln Way to Vicente Street.

• Ellis Street from Polk Street to Leavenworth Street.

• Holloway Avenue from Junipero Serra Boulevard to Harold Avenue.

• Kirkham Street from the Great Highway to Seventh Avenue.

• Phelps Street from Oakdale Avenue to Evans Avenue.

• Ortega Street from the Great Highway to 14th Avenue.

• Page Street from Stanyan Street to Octavia Street.

• Quesada Avenue from Lane Street to Fitch Street.

• Scott Street from Eddy Street to Page Street.

Dominic Fracassa is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: dfracassa@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @dominicfracassa