S.F. Decides on Bike Plan -- At Long Last -- at Friday Hearing

San Francisco's bike advocates are preparing tonight for the culmination of what could be called a long and uphill battle to implement a comprehensive Bike Plan for the city. Meanwhile, Bike Plan opponents, led by local gadfly Rob Anderson (although whether his efforts to stymie the Bike Plan have been a help or hindrance to bike advocates is still in debate), are planning retorts.

The saga of the Bike Plan started three years ago when a Superior Court judge put a halt to any city modifications for the sake of bicyclists without an Environmental Review. The decision came as a result of a lawsuit brought by several opponents -- Coalition for Adequate Review,  Ninety-nine Percent, and Anderson -- who argued that giving bicyclists more lanes and parking would be bad for the environment. Naturally, protests ensued.

The Planning Commission meets today and will likely certify the Environmental report for the latest version of the plan, which means the hearing will likely be on for tomorrow to give it a final thumbs up or thumbs down. At a special SF Bicycle Coalition training tonight, participants will get a tutorial on how to make a "winning comment" at tomorrow's hearing. Supervisor Eric Mar is apparently also leading a biking cohort to the meeting from the Velo Rouge Cafe in his district. The hearing starts on Friday at 9am and will be held in Room 400 at City Hall.  Stay tuned for tomorrow's coverage.