Bridge Crossings Remain Free For Pedestrians & Cyclists Under Ting Bill Signed By The Governor

For immediate release:

Friday, September 27, 2024

People who walk or bike across six of California's state-owned bridges, plus the Golden Gate Bridge, will no longer face the threat of a toll, thanks to the Governor's signature today on AB 2669. The legislation by Assemblymember Phil Ting (D-San Francisco) continues to keep these crossings free for pedestrians and cyclists to ensure equitable access to bridge use and encourages people to pursue climate friendly modes of transportation.

"Sidewalk tolls work against our goals to get folks out of their cars and choose cleaner options to their destinations. By keeping bridge crossings free for pedestrians and bicyclists, we help reduce carbon emissions and promote active lifestyles that are good for our health and environment. I thank the Governor for seeing the benefits of my bill," said Ting.

AB 2669 is necessary, in case bridge managers experience financial difficulties that require them to look beyond drivers for potential revenue sources. Back in 2014, for instance, the Golden Gate Bridge, Highway and Transportation District considered charging anyone walking or riding their bike across its span - unprecedented because such crossings had been free for sidewalk users since 1970.

In response, Ting successfully championed AB 40, which prohibited tolls on pedestrians and bicyclists for five years, until January 2021. Now that the law has expired, a non-vehicle toll is possible again. On July 1st of this year, drivers saw the start of an annual 50-cent toll hike on the Golden Gate Bridge, which will last through 2028. AB 2669 permanently rules out the possibility of a toll on sidewalk use for existing bridges.

"The Marin County Bicycle Coalition (MCBC) is grateful to Assemblymember Ting and Governor Newsom for ensuring that California's bridges remain free for people walking or biking over them. People traveling outside of an automobile cause nearly no wear and tear to bridges, and the state should be encouraging people to move about using emissions-free modes. While question of funding and how to allocate limited space remain, charging people for walking or biking will no longer be an option on today's bridges," said Warren Wells, Policy and Planning Director for the Marin County Bicycle Coalition.

On average, 10,000 people and 6,000 bicyclists cross the Golden Gate Bridge on a daily basis. Limiting the bridge to those who can afford it goes against our commitment to public spaces and our fight against climate change. All eight of California's toll bridges are located in the Bay Area. AB 2669 would apply to the existing six state-owned bridges that have bike/pedestrian access, plus the Golden Gate Bridge:

• Golden Gate Bridge
• Antioch Bridge
• San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge
• Dumbarton Bridge
• Richmond-San Rafael Bridge
• Benicia-Martinez Bridge
• Carquinez Bridge

AB 2669 takes effect January 1, 2025.