Slow Streets, Fast Friends is a community-led initiative to install street murals on 11 Slow Streets across San Francisco. Although the murals are geographically separate, they are united through a common mission to promote connected community spaces and slow vehicle traffic.
An important part of the process is inviting community members to share their thoughts and hopes for the project. Over 500 people responded to our survey, which asked respondents questions like how safe they felt their Slow Street was to pedestrians and cyclists, what style of mural appealed to them, which muralists they preferred, and what elements from their community felt important to include in their mural.
We combed through responses for each Slow Street and summarized some of the key findings posted below. But first, we wanted to share some big picture takeaways!
Murals Make Streets Safer
On a scale of 1 to 5, with 5 being the safest, the average score across Slow Streets was 3.75, with average scores on specific streets ranging from 4 to 3.06. That shows that there’s still room for improvement to make these streets more welcoming for pedestrians and cyclists.
The good news: street murals are proven to help improve safety – one study even found the rate of car crashes involving pedestrians or cyclists decreased by 50% after murals were installed!
Community-led projects benefit everyone
This project is funded by the Community Challenge Grant, a program that provides grants and technical assistance for community-led, neighborhood improvement projects. These grants don’t just support improvements to public space – they also promote local creatives, provide opportunities for neighbors to meet and form bonds, build skills like teamwork and painting, give voice to diverse community members, and encourage investment in the well-being of the neighborhood. The benefits of a project like Slow Streets, Fast Friends extend beyond the direct physical improvements.
Get Involved
If you would like to be more involved with this project, please contact one of the neighborhood leaders, or Slow Street Stewards for more information. See project map and leadership blog post…..
Now, onto the survey results.
Lyon Slow Street Gathering By Masaki Omori
Lyon Slow Street By Masaki Omori
Page Slow Street
Responses
- 196
How do respondents navigate the Slow Street?
- Walk: 88%
- Bike: 60%
- Drive: 24%
- Bus: 13%
Average safety rating: 1 (not safe) to 5 (safe)
- 4.07
What is iconic about the neighborhood?
- Hippie culture and history
- Victorian architecture
- The Wiggle
What makes respondents feel connected to their neighborhood?
- Parks and green spaces
- Walkability and bikeability
- Small businesses
Most popular mural theme:
- Floral and Natural Elements
Most popular design style:
- Pictograph
- Abstract Organic
Where should the mural be installed along the Slow Street?
- Page and Fillmore
- Between Scott and Divisadero
- Stanyan
Lyon Slow Street
Responses
- 16
How do respondents navigate the Slow Street?
- Walk: 74%
- Bike: 38%
- Car: 31%
- Bus: 13%
Average safety rating: 1 (not safe) to 5 (safe)
- 3.4
What is iconic about the neighborhood?
- The Panhandle
- Divisadero
- Victorian homes
What makes respondents feel connected to their neighborhood?
- Walking
- Block parties
Most popular mural theme:
- Floral
Most popular design style:
- Abstract
- Pictograph
Where should the mural be installed along the Slow Street?
- Fulton and Lyon
- Golden Gate and Lyon
Golden Gate Slow Street
Responses
- 37
How do respondents navigate the Slow Street?
- Walk: 89%
- Bicycle: 41%
- Drive: 41%
- Bus: 11%
Average safety rating: 1 (not safe) to 5 (safe)
- 4
What is iconic about the neighborhood?
- Parrots
- Victorian homes
- Sutro Tower
What makes respondents feel connected to their neighborhood?
- Friendly people
- Bikes
- Walkability
Most popular mural theme:
- Floral
- Colorful / Abstract
Most popular design style:
- Pictograph
Where should the mural be installed along the Slow Street?
- Lyon and Baker
- Broderick and Baker
Noe Slow Street
Responses
- 21
How do respondents navigate the Slow Street?
- Walk: 90%
- Car: 33%
- Bike: 24%
- Bus: 14%
Average safety rating: 1 (not safe) to 5 (safe)
- 3.7
What is iconic about the neighborhood?
- Tree canopy
- Duboce Park
- Streetcars
What makes respondents feel connected to their neighborhood?
- Farmers markets
- Family friendly events
Most popular mural theme:
- Floral
Most popular design style:
- Pictograph
Where should the mural be installed along the Slow Street?
- Many unique suggestions
23rd Ave Slow Street
Responses
- 32
How do respondents navigate the Slow Street?
- Walk: 81%
- Drive: 47%
- Bike: 47%
- Bus: 13%
Average safety rating: 1 (not safe) to 5 (safe)
- 3.69
What is iconic about the neighborhood?
- Lands End
- Baker Beach
- Balboa Theater
What makes respondents feel connected to their neighborhood?
- Small local businesses and restaurants
- Nature
- Diverse multilingual community
Most popular mural theme:
- Local History and Culture
Most popular design style:
- Pictograph
Where should the mural be installed along the Slow Street?
- Mid-block on 23rd Avenue between Clement and California
Lake Slow Street
Note: The mural planned for Lake Street has been paused after SFMTA made an update to the Slow Streets Mural Pilot Program on 4/1. Those new guidelines are pausing mural applications on streets that have both centerlines and bike lanes, or murals in intersections due to space constraints and safety concerns – that includes Slow Lake. We hope those concerns are addressed in a future update so we can continue with this work.
Responses
- 52
How do respondents navigate the Slow Street?
- Walk: 82%
- Bike: 58%
- Drive: 31%
- Bus: 8%
Average safety rating: 1 (not safe) to 5 (safe)
- 3.52
What is iconic about the neighborhood?
- Tree-lined streets
- Architecture on Lake
- Mountain Lake Park
What makes respondents feel connected to their neighborhood?
- Proximity to nature
- Walkability
- Bikeability
Most popular mural theme:
- Floral and Natural Elements
Most popular design style:
- Pictograph
- Abstract Organic
Where should the mural be installed along the Slow Street?
- Between 14th and 15th Avenue
- Between 11th and 12th Avenue
- Between 16th-22nd Avenues
Hearst Slow Street
Responses
- 52
How do respondents navigate the Slow Street?
- Walk: 82%
- Bike: 58%
- Drive: 31%
- Bus: 8%
Average safety rating: 1 (not safe) to 5 (safe)
- 3.52
What is iconic about the neighborhood?
- Tree-lined streets
- Architecture on Lake
- Mountain Lake Park
What makes respondents feel connected to their neighborhood?
- Proximity to nature
- Walkability
- Bikeability
Most popular mural theme:
- Floral and Natural Elements
Most popular design style:
- Pictograph
- Abstract Organic
Where should the mural be installed along the Slow Street?
- Between 14th and 15th Avenue
- Between 11th and 12th Avenue
- Between 16th-22nd Avenues
Arlington Slow Street
Responses
- 18
How do respondents navigate the Slow Street?
- Walk: 94%
- Drive: 56%
- Bike: 39%
- Bus: 11%
Average safety rating: 1 (not safe) to 5 (safe)
- 3.06
What is iconic about the neighborhood?
- Glen Canyon
- Old homes
- Great horned owls
What makes respondents feel connected to their neighborhood?
- Glen Canyon
- Shared appreciation for Ohlone land
- Native plant restoration and gardens
Most popular mural theme:
- Local History and Culture
- Colorful and Graphic
Most popular design style:
- Pictograph
- Abstract Organic
Where should the mural be installed along the Slow Street?
- Near Roanoke
- Arlington and Mateo
- Wilder and Arlington
MinneSLOWta Slow Street
Responses:
- 6
How do respondents navigate the Slow Street?
- Walk: 100%
- Drive: 33%
- Run: 16%
Average safety rating: 1 (not safe) to 5 (safe)
- 3.8
What is iconic about the neighborhood?
- Crane Cove Park
- Hills
- Sunrises
What makes respondents feel connected to their neighborhood?
- Community
- Crane Cove Park
- Sunrises
- Local businesses
- People walking
Most popular mural theme:
- Colorful and Graphic
Most popular design style:
- Abstract
Where should the mural be installed along the Slow Street?
- Minnesota & 22nd Street
20th St Slow Street
Responses
- 43
How do respondents navigate the Slow Street?
- Walk: 69%
- Bike: 51%
- Car: 31%
- Bus: 9%
Average safety rating: 1 (not safe) to 5 (safe)
- 3.35
What is iconic about the neighborhood?
- Murals
- Taqueries
- Latinx culture
What makes respondents feel connected to their neighborhood?
- Parks
- Farmers markets
- Heritage celebrations
Most popular mural theme:
- Local History and Culture
Most popular design style:
- Organic Motifs
- Pictographs
Where should the mural be installed along the Slow Street?
- Harrison and Folsom
- Folsom and S. Van Ness
- 20th and Bryant
Shotwell Slow Street
Responses
- 71
How do respondents navigate the Slow Street?
- Walk: 78%
- Bike: 44%
- Drive: 31%
- Bus: 15%
Average safety rating: 1 (not safe) to 5 (safe)
- 3.5
What is iconic about the neighborhood?
- Murals
- Burritos/Food
- Culture/Heritage
What makes respondents feel connected to their neighborhood?
- Diversity
- Music
- Food
Most popular mural theme:
- Local History and Culture
Most popular design style:
- Pictographic
Where should the mural be installed along the Slow Street?
- Many responses including:
- Between 26th and 24th
- 17th Street & Shotwell
- Mid-block between 22nd and 23rd