Cyclists bash Golden Gate Bridge speed limit plan

[The Northerner]

The magnetic allure of the Golden Gate Bridge draws not only tourists but commuters - many of whom cross the landmark span on bikes, and are upset at a plan to slow their rides by imposing speed limits.

Bridge officials say the growing popularity of biking or walking across the bridge, a yearlong safety study and a planned four-month closure of the bicycles-only west sidewalk have convinced them of the need to slow down the cyclists.

"Our concern is safety," said Denis Mulligan, bridge general manager, citing the narrowness of the bridge sidewalks and the crowded nature of the east sidewalk, which is shared by pedestrians and bicyclists.

But many cyclists complain that the speed limits are unwarranted, unwanted and would needlessly slow their commutes.

Read more: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2011/04/23/BAKE1J669E.DTL

[Fumesucker]

1. I propose that the bridge have a speed limit on only half of it, the downhill one.

That's how you split the difference between the two sides, eh?

[BlueJazz]

2. Oh brother....the bridge is only .8 miles long (4200 ft) How much time will be lost? 2-3 minutes??

Big fuckin' deal.

[Brother Buzz]

4. It's 4200 feet from tower to tower

It's closer to two miles when you include the approaches. Still, riders may lose more time at a couple of long stop lights.

I remember my early cycling years when riding on the bridge was forbidden. You had to walk your bike. I even had a CHP yell at me through his cruiser car speaker to get off and walk. I was simply standing on one pedal and coasting at the time (half the bridge is downhill). It took 30 minutes to cross the bridge.

In those early years, it cost a dime to cross the bridge. Today, bicycles are toll-free.

[BlueJazz]

3. opps...sorry...meant to post it in the OP

:)

[bhikkhu]

5. Speed limits are fine, but 10 mph on a downhill straight is absurd

...if they're going to set rules they may as well make them workable.

[Incitatus]

7. The idea that any bicyclist can ride fast enough to deseve a speeding ticket sounds absurd.

[bhikkhu]

13. It depends on the road, and the traffic

On our local bike path most cyclists keep it down to 15-20 mph, as there are plenty of kids and dogs and people walking several abreast, and it is relatively narrow. Passing people who don't know you're coming up is the one sketchy thing, and going slow enough to give notice and to allow them to look back and see you coming is the polite thing. It doesn't work as well at 20-30.

[Sen. Walter Sobchak]

6. Ahh... cyclist entitlement syndrome

This is a walkway that is as narrow as 7ft in some places and often very crowded, it is insanity bikes are even being allowed to be anything but walked across in the first place,

Oh well, I guess we might as well be anticipating a Critical Smash anarchist event on the Golden Gate Bridge in the immediate future.

[Sen. Walter Sobchak]

8. Fixed picture,

This is the picture of the pedestrian walkway in question that doesn't seem to be showing up:

[FLPanhandle]

9. Take away a lane from the automobiles and dedicate it to cyclists.

Maybe encourage more people to give up on the automobile and ride instead.

[taterguy]

11. In case you hadn't noticed, heavy congestion doesn't deter California motorists

Which auto lane would you take away? One from North-bound or South-bound?

The bike lane would presumably be two way. How would cyclists going the wrong way get to the road that leads the right way once they've crossed the bridge?

Seems like a very expensive solution to a minor annoyance.

[Taitertots]

10. Is there a problem with high speed bicyclists causing accidents?

If there is, impose a speed limit. If not, there is no reason to impose a speed limit.

[petronius]

12. That's a good question - and the article doesn't seem to suggest that there is

I would guess that people who can survive biking in the city on a regular basis are equally competent to dodge tourists on the bridge at any speed, and that most mishaps are attributable to distracted sightseers more than speeding cyclists.

I wonder if just painting a line down the path and asking people to walk outside of it would be as effective as a speed limit - and there must be statutes already in place to deal with truly reckless folk...

[Heywood J]

14. They have no problem with car speed limits, meant in part to keep them safe around cars,

but a huge problem with bike speed limits to keep unprotected pedestrians safe around them.

From the complaining, you'd swear we were asking them to stop for stop signs and red lights, or not pass turning traffic on the right.