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This story has been updated to include additional information.
California Department of Transportation has withdrawn its proposal to limit pedestrian and bicyclist access to the Richmond-San Rafael Bridge following public outcry and organized advocacy efforts.
The agency had proposed converting the bridge's multi-use path into a vehicle breakdown shoulder from Monday through Thursday, reducing access to weekends only. The plan drew swift opposition from cycling and pedestrian groups, including Bike East Bay, which helped mobilize thousands of supporters to speak against the restriction.
Transit officials present plans to close Richmond Bridge bike lane
Transit officials briefed the San Francisco Bay Conservation and Development Commission on plans for weekday closures of the multi-use trail on the Richmond-San Rafael Bridge during a meeting Thursday afternoon. The pathway opened in November 2019 as part of a four-year pilot project to provide bicycle and pedestrian access on
Soren Hemmila
"We did it! Caltrans has withdrawn its proposal to deny 24/7 access for people biking and walking on the Richmond-San Rafael Bridge," Bike East Bay Advocacy Manager Dani Lanis wrote in an email to supporters. "Their proposal would have converted the trail into a car breakdown shoulder every Monday through Thursday, limiting access to only Friday-Sunday for those who walk, bike, or roll across. Along with our allies, we mobilized thousands to speak out against this, and our voices couldn't be ignored!"
Originally, the Bay Conservation and Development Commission (BCDC) had been scheduled to vote on the proposal on April 3. However, Caltrans withdrew the plan before the vote.
MTC contemplates return of Richmond Bridge breakdown lane
If everything goes to plan, the Metropolitan Transportation Commission, the folks in charge of the Bay Area’s eight state-owned bridges, will open a dedicated lane for Richmond Bridge drivers to break down or chat after a fender bender. Bike East Bay Advocacy Manager Dani Lanis said MTC’s executive director told
Soren Hemmila
Over the past year, Bike East Bay and its partners secured resolutions from multiple agencies, including the cities of Richmond, Albany, and Berkeley, in support of maintaining full-time access to the trail. The group also gathered more than 4,500 petition signatures and organized over 75 community organizations to voice their opposition to the restrictions.
"Make no mistake - our voices made the difference here," Lanis wrote. "Without our mobilization, the proposal likely would have moved forward."
Despite the win for bicycle and pedestrian access, advocates warn that the issue is not fully settled. "This is a huge victory, but we can't let our guard down – as this proposal may return," Lanis cautioned.
According to Bike East Bay, Caltrans has now requested an indefinite postponement of the BCDC's scheduled public hearing and vote on the Richmond-San Rafael Bridge permit application. The agency plans to submit an amended application, acknowledging that the current application will be permanently withdrawn if no action is taken by July 12, 2025.
The Bay Area Council, a regional business association advocating for the pathway’s removal, launched a campaign under the name Commonsense Transportation Coalition. The group said the vote was postponed as discussions between the Metropolitan Transportation Commission and the Bay Conservation and Development Commission continue.
“Ongoing conversations between MTC and BCDC have sparked new considerations, leading to additional amendments to the permit application,” a representative of the Common Sense Transportation Coalition said in an email to supporters. “Delays are frustrating, but your commitment is why a common-sense solution remains within reach.”
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