Imagine a San Francisco where it’s safer and faster to walk, bike, and take public transit

Our Vision

At Streets Forward, we envision a San Francisco designed around people where public space fosters community connection, economic vibrancy, healthy living, and environmental sustainability.

This future San Franciso is one in which its safe and fast for children, families, women, seniors, people with disabilities, and other people to walk, bike, and take public transit for everyday transportation. All people will have multiple safe, fast, and sustainable options to get where they need to go—be it school, work, parks, grocery stores and shops, bars and restaurants, or just get outside and explore. There will be an integrated and inclusive transportation system that works for everyone and makes San Francisco safer, more livable, and more sustainable, while improving economic vitality for local businesses and increasing public health, independence, and social connectedness.

In our vision, people have shifted most trips to walking, biking, and public transit because it’s safer, faster, and more enjoyable to do so. Neighborhood streets are safe, calm, and full of life. Public transit is fast, frequent, and reliable. Bike lanes are protected and connected. Intersections are safe and prioritize people. And every San Franciscan has access to affordable and sustainable options for everyday transportation.

We believe transportation is a public good—like schools, libraries, and parks—and should be accessible, affordable, and safe. Our vision is grounded in equity, shaped by urgency, and inspired by the proven policies and successes of cities like New York City, Cambridge, Massachusetts, Amsterdam, Paris, London, and Barcelona.

We are working to:

  • Eliminate cut-through car traffic on residential streets

  • Implement a connected network of protected bike lanes

  • Create pedestrianized streets and School Streets throughout the city

  • Increase frequency, reliability, and speed of Muni and BART

  • Expand access and affordability to public transportation

  • Incentivize e-bikes and other sustainable transportation

  • Reform parking to support safer, more vibrant neighborhoods

By reallocating street space, we can improve public health, reduce emissions, increase local business revenue, and reconnect communities.

Our Goals

  • A grassroots movement of 30,000+ committed San Franciscans

  • 80% of all trips within SF taken by walking, biking, or public transit, with 30% by bike, scooter, or small-wheeled devices (e.g. skateboard, one-wheel)

Our Team

Luke Bornheimer


Luke Bornheimer is a community organizer, public policy strategist, and sustainable transportation advocate working to build a San Francisco where streets are safe, sustainable, and designed for people. As the founder and Executive Director of Streets Forward, Luke has led some of the most significant street transformation efforts in San Francisco in recent years.

He was a lead organizer behind the successful campaigns to make JFK Promenade permanently car-free, and was deeply involved in the work to convert the Upper Great Highway into a full-time, oceanfront park (now Sunset Dunes). Luke also helped secure curbside protected bike lanes on Valencia Street, and successfully advocated for the approval and creation of the San Francisco E-Bike Incentive Fund.

His organizing and advocacy led to unanimous Board of Supervisors support for a citywide No Turn on Red policy and expansion of No Turn on Red at 200 more intersections, laying the groundwork for safer intersections across the city. From grassroots coalitions to policy hearings, Luke brings clarity of purpose, political savvy, and deep community connection to every initiative.

Luke’s work has been featured in The Washington Post, CBS News, NBC TODAY, WIRED, the San Francisco Chronicle, SFGATE, Mission Local, Streetsblog SF, and KQED, among others. He lives in San Francisco and can often be found biking with his daughter, talking to neighbors, or dreaming up the next big push for people-first streets.

Advisory Board

Peter Belden
Peter Belden is a nonprofit leader and philanthropic strategist who brings decades of experience translating big ideas into meaningful public impact. As co-founder of Upstream USA, Peter led efforts that reduced unplanned pregnancies at scale by expanding access to reproductive healthcare across multiple states. Earlier, as a program officer at the Hewlett Foundation, he managed a portfolio advancing innovative approaches to health, equity, and social change.

Peter brings that same systems-level thinking and public health mindset to his work with Streets Forward. A lifelong advocate for equitable, people-centered design, he is a vocal champion for expanding safe bike and pedestrian infrastructure and reshaping urban transportation to better serve communities.

As Chair of the Advisory Committee, Peter helps guide Streets Forward’s organizational strategy, partnerships, and long-term vision.

Andrew Casteel
Andrew brings over two decades of experience building innovative public-private partnerships that center equity, sustainability, and people-first transportation. Before leading Streets Forward, he helped scale regional Bike to Work Day efforts across the Bay Area, launched mobile tools for sustainable transportation, and developed programs that engaged both civic institutions and communities in shaping more livable cities.

As Executive Director of the Bay Area Bicycle Coalition, Andrew worked across all nine Bay Area counties to advocate for safer bike infrastructure and influence regional transportation policy. His early career in education—teaching digital media and mentoring high school students—reflected his long-standing belief that civic transformation starts with local engagement.

In addition to his policy and nonprofit leadership, Andrew is the founder of Laughing Monk Brewing, a beloved San Francisco craft brewery that builds community through good beer and public space.

Tim Courtney
Tim Courtney is a strategist and community architect who builds platforms that turn everyday people into powerful change agents. As the founding community manager of LEGO IDEAS, he scaled the platform from beta to over 1 million members. His work has helped redefine how organizations tap into community insight to drive innovation and impact.

Tim applies this same mindset to the physical world. Through grassroots organizing and public pressure campaigns in Oakland, he has helped catalyze city investment in concrete-protected bike lanes and street safety infrastructure. He brings a rare combination of digital ecosystem strategy and real-world urban advocacy to Streets Forward, ensuring that the movement not only grow, but sustains lasting influence.

He advises Streets Forward on movement growth, community organizing, and platform development.