Jodie Medeiros, Executive Director of Walk San Francisco, expressed concerns over Mayor Daniel Lurie's decision to permit autonomous vehicles on Market Street. She said that this move reverses years of safety improvements and undermines public transit efficiency. Her statement was published on the San Francisco Bicycle Coalition's (SFBC) website.
"Bringing vehicle traffic back to Market Street won't solve its problems, and will only create new ones," said Medeiros. "We know that a Market Street with more cars is dangerous for pedestrians, cyclists, transit riders, and drivers. Before car-free Market Street, half of the city's ten most dangerous intersections were on Market Street, with almost three people injured each week on average."
According to the San Francisco Bicycle Coalition, Mayor Lurie’s decision to allow autonomous vehicles like Waymo's onto Market Street has raised significant safety concerns. The organization noted that since private cars were removed from the corridor, Muni speeds have improved by 14%, and Market Street has become significantly safer for cyclists, pedestrians, and transit riders. The coalition argued that this decision jeopardizes a decades-long public planning effort and endangers those walking, biking, or accessing transit in the area.
The San Francisco Examiner reports that unlike Uber and Lyft drivers who operate personal vehicles and are banned from Market Street east of 10th Street, Waymo is classified as a commercial operator. This classification grants its robotaxis legal access to the corridor despite longstanding restrictions. The distinction has led to accusations of preferential treatment as Waymo is allowed to map and operate on one of San Francisco’s most transit-sensitive streets. Critics argue this loophole undermines the Better Market Street program's goal of prioritizing safe, sustainable transportation modes over private or quasi-commercial traffic.
Before 2020, Market Street was considered one of the most dangerous corridors in San Francisco for pedestrians and cyclists, with an average of 82 injury-related collisions per year between 10th and Steuart Streets. Since private vehicles were removed from this stretch, collisions have decreased by 40%, making it measurably safer for everyone. Despite these improvements, Market Street remains part of the city’s High Injury Network.
According to her LinkedIn profile, Medeiros has served as Executive Director of Walk San Francisco since 2017. She brings over seven years of leadership experience in strategic planning, coalition building, and program management to the organization. Her expertise includes fundraising, event curation, and creative storytelling aimed at making streets safer through collaborative leadership.