Our Golden Gate.com

Group Wants Skaters to Join Bike Riders on Golden Gate Bridge

I admit that I've wondered sometimes why bike riders can roll across the Bridge but skaters cannot.  I suspect the history lies in one of those cases where "Back in 1978 the Mayor's son was almost bowled over by a guy who was trying to impress his girlfriend," and a regulation was born.  Maybe the skaters are less organized than the bike riders, or less connected at San Francisco City Hall (where the balance of power on the Bridge resides).  In any case, those are the rules.

Now someone is trying to change them.

Representatives from the California Outdoor Rollersports Association attended the Friday, May 14 meeting of the Golden Gate Bridge District Board of Directors this morning in search of equal access for roller skating visitors to the Bridge.  They offered to follow the same rules as bicycles, with speed restrictions, access only to one side of the Bridge, and a ban on racing.

District spokeswoman Mary Currie pointed out that skateboards and horses are also prohibited on the Bridge.

Changing those rules conjures up some interesting mental images, doesn't it?

In any event, the Bridge Directors (after a few chuckles) have taken the matter under advisement.  We'll keep you posted.  And, in the meantime, check out the original 1937 rules for the Bridge.

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UPDATED: Golden Gate Bridge Sidewalks to be Closed 7-9 AM Sun. April 11 and 7:30-10 AM Sun. April 18

 

If you're planning a Sunday morning bike ride from San Francisco to Sausalito on either of the next two weekends, get an extra hour of sleep.  The sidewalks on each side of the Golden Gate Bridge will be closed from 7:00 AM to 9:00 AM April 11 to clear the way for 2,500 runners who'll be participating in the US Half Marathon, and from 7:30- 10:00 AM April 18 for the Presidio 10 Race.

The Half Marathon race starts at Aquatic Park in San Francisco and will make its way across the Golden Gate Bridge.  The Presidio 10 begins and ends at Crissy Field.

In each case, Racers will run north on the east sidewalk and return south on the west sidewalk, thus necessitating the closure both ways till 9:00 AM.

The Bridge District tells us that while the sidewalks are closed, bicyclists and pedestrians wishing to cross the Bridge can ride a free shuttle service being set up for the event.  One shuttle stop will be located on the south side in the southeast parking lot, and another on the north side along the northbound Alexander Avenue off-ramp bus stop just north of Vista Point.

Copyright (c) 2010, OurGoldenGate.com, All Rights Reserved.

SF Marathon to Affect Golden Gate Bridge Parking, Traffic July 26

Date:  July 26, 2009

Time:  6:00 AM - 10:00 AM

Place:  Golden Gate Bridge Sidewalks & Parking Lots, and the Sausalito on-ramp and off-ramp next to the Golden Gate Bridge

 

If you have to drive into San Francisco on the morning of Sunday, July 26, allow some extra time due to lane changes and parking lot closures on the Golden Gate Bridge to allow the San Francisco Marathon to cover a round-trip route over the span. 

We'd recommed that Sausalito residents enter Highway 101 at Spencer or in Marin City to avoid where the runners will loop back on the ramps where 101 meets the Golden Gate Bridge.

With over 20,000 people running this marathon we expect that there will be stragglers after 10:00 AM as well, even if the traffic lanes have been restored to normal.

Here's what we received from the orgamizers about the closures:

Golden Gate Bridge Roadway Lanes (1:00 AM to 10:00 AM)
From 1 to 6 AM, the roadway lane configuration on the Bridge and Doyle Drive will be transitioned to accommodate the Marathon runners.
From 6 to 9 AM, the Marathon course will occupy 2 northbound lanes, with a third “buffer” lane between the runners and traffic.  There will be 2 southbound traffic lanes and 1 northbound traffic lane.
By 10 AM, the roadway will be returned to 3 northbound lanes and 3 southbound lanes.

Golden Gate Bridge Exit and Parking Area – NO DROP OFFS ALLOWED (12:00 Midnight - 10:00 AM)
Last northbound San Francisco exit, off Doyle Drive just before the toll plaza will be closed from midnight to 10 AM.
The southeast parking lot will also be closed from midnight to 10 AM.
First southbound exit after the toll plaza onto Merchant Road will have no access beyond the toll plaza itself and no access into the Presidio from Midnight -10 AM.

Parking on the Sausalito side of the Golden Gate Bridge (lots pictured in satellite image below):

Vista Point exit (northeast side) and the Vista Point parking lot will be closed midnight  to 10 AM.   
Northwest side parking lot (off Conzelman Rd.) will be closed from 3 to 10 AM.

The San Francisco Marathon website is here.

Google Map Instructions:  Use the "+" and "-" buttons to zoom in and out, the arrow keys to scroll the map, and the SAT button to see the satellite view.

 
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Copyright (c) 2009, OurGoldenGate.com.  All Rights Reserved.