Golden Gate Bridge, Highway and Transportation District Implements Bike Friendly Programs
The Marin County Bicycle Coalition recognizes the importance of “Safe Routes to Transit,” and has been partnering with the Golden Gate Bridge, Highway and Transportation District (District), the operator of the Golden Gate Bridge, Golden Gate Transit and Golden Gate Ferry, since our inception in 1998. This series of articles focuses on improvements that the District has been making for bicyclists, and on the need for continued attention to safety when riding on the Golden Gate Bridge.
Bus Driver Education
Each year, Golden Gate Transit (GGT) bus drivers take a mandatory one-day “refresher” training course covering a variety of topics related to professional development and best practices. Starting in November 2006, the training now features a session on how bus drivers should safely interact with bicyclists. The session includes information on how to pass a bicyclist, how to load bicycles on buses, and more.
Covered Bike Racks at the Larkspur Ferry Terminal
Bicyclists who are riding to the Larkspur Ferry Terminal (LFT) during the rainy winter days should know that there is a covered bike rack with 10 bike parking spaces in the paid waiting area at LFT. There are also four bike racks each with eight bike slots outside of the paid waiting area. This means that a total of 42 bikes can be parked safely at LFT. You can also bring your bike on the ferry boat for the trip to San Francisco. The number of bikes allowed varies by vessel, and ranges from 15 to 25 at the Larkspur Ferry Terminal.
Reburbished Sausalito Ferry to include Expanded Bike Access
The interior refurbishment of the Golden Gate Ferry vessel, M.S. Marin is expected to be completed in spring 2007, and when the boat “hits the water”, new bicycle racks that will accommodate at least 70 bicycles will be placed in an area on the lower (main) deck. This boat will be used on the Sausalito -- San Francisco route which is very popular with bicyclists. Ferry passengers will also be able to enjoy other refurbished amenities such as new seating, new decks, new restrooms, a new public address system, a modern lift ramp for persons with disabilities, and more.
New “Underbelly” Bike Racks Complete the Fleet
In October 2006, GGT unveiled its new luggage bay bike rack program for all 52 of its 45-foot-long buses. The new racks are located on a mount that slides out from the luggage area for easy loading of up to two bicycles. GGT users and cyclists are encouraged to become familiar with the new luggage bay racks by visiting www.goldengatetransit.org/services/bikes.php to check out the training video. This now means that 100% of GGT’s buses have the capacity to hold two bicycles on-board. All GGT bicycle racks are used at your own risk, on a first-come, first-served basis and cyclists must load and unload their bikes themselves. Cyclists must load and unload the bikes themselves and, for safety reasons, GGT operators may not leave the bus to assist cyclists. Recumbent, tandem, motorized, three-wheeled, muddy, dirty, or greasy cycles are not permitted.
To learn more about the Golden Gate Bridge, Highway and Transportation District see www.goldengate.org.
