Skip to Content
Streetsblog New York City home
Streetsblog New York City home
Log In
pothillview.jpgDowntown San Francisco as seen from Potrero Hill.
Photo: Joe Bencharsky

This week brought urban history lessons to StreetsWiki from Livable Streets members coast to coast.

Joe Bencharsky penned a neighborhood profile of Potrero Hill, San Francisco, where his family has lived for three generations. Says Joe:

Partly because of street and freeway configuration, partly because oftopography, The Hill is an out of the way community even though it hasclose proximity to some of the most active parts of The City. There areonly a few streets that circumvent the freeways that allow trafficthrough to The Hill via somewhat circuitous routes.

Meanwhile in New York, Susan Donovan contributed a fascinating entry on the history of Madison Avenue Bus Lanes -- a rare remnant of the Koch administration's largely unrealized 1980 congestion reduction plan.

Elsewhere this week, the new Echo Park and Silverlake Livable Streets chapter of Los Angeles County announces a ride spotlighting roads prioritized in a proposed bike plan; the South Bronx Livable Streets group publicizes a Harlem River rezoning City Council hearing on June 23; and there are new Livable Streets groups for Detroit residents and folding bike users.

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More from Streetsblog New York City

The ‘Disconnect’: City Traffic Cops Ignore Severe Parking Scofflaws

The NYPD's Traffic Enforcement Agents don't check the city towing database, which means thousands of drivers keep on driving.

August 18, 2025

Advocates: Here’s What to Tell The Feds You Want From the Next Big Transportation Bill

You only have two more days to comment on the next surface transportation bill (the biggie!). So here are some thoughts about what you should say.

August 18, 2025

Aging 1930s Boardwalk, Lack of Elevators a US Open Nightmare for Disabled Tennis Fans

“Spectacular Awaits” a new US Open champion. Can USTA, the Mets, the city and the MTA "reimagine spectacular" accessibility at Mets-Willets Point?

August 18, 2025

Monday’s Headlines: Parental Advisory Edition

Age verification is coming to Citi Bike. Plus more news.

August 18, 2025

‘A Tombstone’: Abandoned Bicycles Outside Federal Courthouse Are a Symbol of U.S. War on Immigrants

At least four bicycles and one moped are chained up and seemingly abandoned outside the federal courthouse. They are symbols of America's war on immigrants.

August 15, 2025
See all posts