4 days ago
Bay Area cyclists lose weekday access on Richmond-San Rafael Bridge
Hopes for a permanent bike lane on the Richmond-San Rafael Bridge have dimmed after a state commission approved a plan that will sharply restrict weekday access for cyclists and pedestrians.
On Thursday, the San Francisco Bay Conservation and Development Commission voted to allow Caltrans to convert the bridge's westbound shoulder into a breakdown lane during peak weekday hours, effectively ending the possibility of full-time bike and pedestrian access.
Starting this fall, the 10-foot-wide path — currently open 24/7 and separated from traffic by a movable barrier — will close weekly from Sunday at 11 p.m. through Thursday at 2 p.m.
It will reopen for active use from Thursday afternoon through Sunday night.
The move follows a proposal from Caltrans and the Metropolitan Transportation Commission, which argued that repurposing the shoulder for cars during high-traffic hours could ease congestion.
Transportation officials pointed to data showing the bridge carries more than 21,000 vehicles per day during commute hours, while weekday bike usage averages just 140 trips.
Preliminary findings from the Westbound Improvement Project suggest the change could reduce commute times by up to 19 minutes. A three-year pilot will evaluate traffic impacts, safety, and effects on surrounding communities before a long-term plan is finalized.
The project also includes a part-time high-occupancy vehicle lane and a free shuttle for cyclists and pedestrians during weekday closures. Since the path opened in 2019, it has logged more than 400,000 bike crossings and 60,000 pedestrian trips.
To help preserve access, $10 million in Regional Measure 3 funds will go toward active transportation projects in Richmond, including an extension of the Richmond Wellness Trail and upgrades along Harbour Way.
