Eiad Eltawil, a restaurant owner in San Francisco, has begun a month-long hunger strike to protest the city’s new bike lane experiment, which he claims is driving away customers. Eltawil, along with his family who run a Syrian restaurant and an artworks store on Valencia Street in the Mission District, is protesting the new two-way protected center bike lane that has reduced vehicle lanes and removed parking spots, impacting local businesses. Eltawil will spend the next month sleeping outside his art store, consuming only water, and passing out flyers to support his hunger strike.
The controversial bike lane project, unveiled by the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency, has faced criticism from local business owners who claim it has led to a reduction in clientele due to the removal of parking spaces. Eltawil hopes his hunger strike will bring attention to what he perceives as unfair and detrimental policies affecting his business. Despite facing setbacks and rejection from multiple departments, Eltawil believes that his fasting will catch the attention of city leaders who have the power to amend the bike lane project or risk having to close down his restaurant.
Rafik Bouzidi, a Tunisian restaurant owner in San Francisco, also expressed frustration with the impact of the bike lanes on his business, stating that potential customers have canceled reservations after struggling to find parking in the area. The SFMTA has acknowledged the challenges faced by business owners and is working on refining the design to benefit both businesses and bicyclists. However, concerns have been raised about the safety of the bike lane, with reports of crashes and accidents involving pedestrians and vehicles taking place since the implementation of the new lanes.
The bike lane project has sparked a debate among locals, with some supporting Eltawil’s protest and the concerns of business owners, while others advocating for more bike-friendly infrastructure in the city. The SFMTA maintains that the bike lane experiment is a work in progress and that they are actively seeking feedback from stakeholders to improve the design and address any issues raised by the community. Despite the mixed emotions surrounding the bike lane project, efforts are being made to find a balance that ensures the safety of pedestrians and cyclists while supporting local businesses.
Among the incidents that have raised concerns about the bike lane’s safety is the tragic death of an 80-year-old pedestrian who was struck and killed by an SUV driver on Valencia Street. This incident, along with reports of crashes and accidents in the area, has fueled the debate over the effectiveness and impact of the new bike lanes in San Francisco. As Eltawil continues his hunger strike in protest of the bike lane project, it remains to be seen whether his efforts will lead to any changes in the city’s policies or if alternative solutions will be proposed to address the concerns raised by local business owners and residents.
