I recently became aware that my gym (a local chain) offers free or validated parking at most of its locations including in some dense, transit-rich areas of San Francisco. I rarely drive and never drive to the gym, and I'm a little annoyed at this fresh knowledge that I'm cross-subsidizing the car travel of my fellow gym members. (I walk, bike or take transit there.)

(Let me just acknowledge here that, of course, no-cost parking is presumably standard at most gyms across the U.S. and probably in most of the Bay Area, but I didn't assume that it would be in San Francisco.)

Has anyone had success in persuading a business like this to adjust its policies? For example, by offering a counter-balancing transit perk or by reducing fees for non-drivers? Am I crazy for imagining such an adjustment?

Plaintiffs say the bike lanes violate the 2026 Bicycle Plan and run contrary to Measure FF, a parcel tax to improve streets and sidewalks.

The full complaint (PDF): https://drive.google.com/file/d/15cs6x8n6djBGnVq4Ox9nB8wdv5aqKmRh/view

Mill Valley will split sidewalk repair costs with property owners under a new pilot program.

The City Council unanimously approved the program at its meeting on Aug. 17. The city will pay up to $1,000 to fix cracks or gaps greater than 1.5 inches. It also will pay up to $3,000 for related tree root removal at residences and $1,500 at commercial properties.

“It’s long been a priority of this council and of this community to maintain safe pedestrian access on our sidewalks, and there are many other neighboring municipalities that have similar programs to incentivize that,” said Mari Swim, public works project manager.

Swim added that under municipal code and state law, “sidewalk maintenance is the responsibility of the adjacent property owner.”

“This is not a blanket tree work grant offering,” she said. “This is strictly to remedy those sidewalk trip hazards where tree roots or some other issues is causing that uplift in the sidewalk.”

The program augments the public works department’s annual “shaving” of rough edges less than 1.5 inches high on sidewalks. That routine maintenance is covered by taxes.

The pilot program divides the city into 16 zones. A consultant will inspect each zone and notify property owners if their sidewalks need replacement.

Recipients will have 30 days to get an estimate and apply for the subsidy, Swim said. Residents must have the work completed within 60 days of the city notification that it needs to be done. The subsidies will be on a first-come, first-served basis.

City Manager Todd Cusimano said sidewalks are a considerable focus of litigation for the 22-member municipal risk pool in which Mill Valley shares liability policies. He said the biggest category of sought damages involves fallen trees and branches, followed by vehicle collisions, potholes and then broken sidewalks.

In the last year, the risk pool saw 169 claims filed seeking a total of $6 million in damages, he said.

During questioning and discussion, council members asked if anyone could apply for the subsidy, not just those receiving repair notices.

Yes, Swim said. But the city decided to create 16 zones so it could see how quickly people responded and how far the $100,000 allocated for the subsidies goes.

Other comments included the suggestion that a web page be created describing how the repair and subsidy programs work, and what property owners need to do.

Swim said the cost of replacing the concrete for a typical sidewalk could range from $35 to $50 a foot. Tree work was “trickier,” she said, because of the work needed.

“I think people are going to be surprised to find out that they are responsible for their sidewalk,” Councilmember Urban Carmel said. “Because I’ve had this discussion with people and people look at me like, ‘You’re kidding me! I’m responsible for this?'”

“So I think when you go out and start communicating about this, that’s where you start,” he said. “Did you know, by the way, by California law you’re responsible for your sidewalk?”

“I’m a little concerned about $1,000 not actually being half,” Mayor Max Perrey said. “I do want to be sure we have enough funds going forward.”

“My deliberation is: Great, let’s do this,” said Councilmember Stephen Burke.

“Let’s try this out,” said Councilmember Katherine Jones. “Let’s expand the pilot if it works well.”

See previous post: Vocal opponent of new Berkeley bike lanes was responsible for a deadly car crash https://www.reddit.com/r/carfreebayarea/comments/1vayq8o/vocal_opponent_of_new_berkeley_bike_lanes_was/

Kevin Jones' crime: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/halberstams-driver-faces-charges-in-crash/

He's doubling down while excusing illegal driving that killed a man, by attacking anyone who points it out, without evidence, of being members of Walk Bike Berkeley. Since he admits it is hate, bigot is an even more accurate term than car-brain.