Bridge sidewalk tolls opposed

Bill would bar charging walkers, bicyclists on Golden Gate

By Mark Prado, Marin Independent Journal
Wednesday, May 4, 2005

Golden Gate Bridge officials - who have toyed with the idea of charging tolls to bicyclists and pedestrians - are greeting with some consternation state legislation that would prevent that.

"I don't know why the state has to stick their nose in it," said bridge district board member Dietrich Stroeh of Novato.

Marin Supervisor Cynthia Murray, also a bridge board member, said, "This should stay under the discretion of the Golden Gate Bridge board and not be taken over by the Legislature."

The Assembly Transportation Committee this week passed AB 748, sponsored by Assemblywoman Lois Wolk, D-Davis, and co-authored by Joe Nation, D-San Rafael, which would prohibit agencies from charging bicyclists and pedestrians to cross state bridges or roads.

"The last thing we want to do is penalize people who walk or ride across the Golden Gate Bridge, or other bridges, by having tolls," said Nation, who pushed for passage of the bill in the Assembly committee. "It's the wrong message to send."

The issue came to the attention of state legislators via the Marin County Bicycle Coalition and other bike groups, who are concerned the bridge district could impose tolls to help relieve its projected $108 million, five-year deficit.

An increase in auto tolls is on the table, as is a "sidewalk toll." Such a toll could raise $500,000 to $1.5 million annually, officials said.

Stroeh and Murray were less than thrilled with the state attempt to regulate the issue.

"I want to sit down and talk with the bike coalitions on this, to come to a solution and get their input," Stroeh said.

Murray said that "with the deficit we have, we have to explore all options and see what is reasonable and then make a decision."

She added having the state control bridge tolls would be "unwise."

The Golden Gate Bridge is not run by the state, but the legislation generically states the toll ban would apply to: "any bridge or highway facility that is part of the state highway system." If approved, the sponsors are asking it take effect immediately.

Deb Hubsmith, advocacy director for the Marin County Bicycle Coalition, testified to the Assembly committee Monday and said yesterday sidewalk tolls would be a bad idea.

"It would be an impediment for people who are taking the healthy route and biking and walking," she said, adding bikes don't create the same wear and tear on the span. "The average bike weighs 30 pounds and the average car 3,000 pounds."

The bill now goes to the Assembly's Appropriations Committee and Nation foresees approval by the full Assembly; then it would go to the Senate for consideration.

In response to the legislation, the bridge district has set a special committee meeting May 12 to discuss how it should respond.

No major bridge in the United States charges pedestrians and bicyclists access tolls, according to Assemblywoman Wolk.

"Most bicyclists and pedestrians also own cars and pay taxes for transportation infrastructure. Taxing them again to use the environmentally preferred alternative makes no sense," Wolk said.

Contact Mark Prado via e-mail at mprado@marinij.com