(SAN FRANCISCO, CA) – Flanked by supporters at the Golden Gate Bridge, Assemblymembers Phil Ting (D-San Francisco) and Marc Levine (D-Marin County) urged Governor Jerry Brown to sign their legislation prohibiting sidewalk tolls at the Golden Gate and state-owned toll bridges. The group commemorated the value of free bridge access for all by walking and riding bicycles across the bridge.
“We should not nickel and dime people pursuing healthy transportation alternatives as we strive to combat climate change,” said Ting. “Our bridges link a network of parks, paths, and trails that we have built around the Bay Area to promote active lifestyles. By signing this bill, the governor can protect access to this legacy we share with the world.”
“This legislation continues California’s efforts to encourage people to get out of their cars and to walk and bike instead,” said Levine. “California is a world leader in fighting climate change and protecting the environment. This bridge is an iconic landmark that must continue to be free for pedestrians and bicyclists from California and from all over the world.
All toll bridges in California are located in the San Francisco Bay Area. The Golden Gate, the Antioch, the Benicia-Martinez, the Carquinez, the Dumbarton, and the eastern span of the Bay Bridge have bicycle and pedestrian crossings. Currently, there are no tolls for cyclists and pedestrians to cross any of these bridges.
Authored by Ting and Levine, Assembly Bill (AB) 40 was inspired by a recurring proposal to establish a sidewalk toll for pedestrians and cyclists at the Golden Gate Bridge. If enacted, the Golden Gate would become the only contiguous bridge in the nation with such a toll.
“Bicycling is an important tool to make our communities better. They make our local economies stronger, they make our streets safer and our residents healthier and happier,” said Dave Snyder, Executive Director, California Bicycle Coalition. “Our government agencies should be doing everything they can to make it easier to ride a bike, not put up barriers.”
"Walking is the healthiest, most sustainable and most equitable way to get around and should be encouraged," said Walk San Francisco's Natalie Burdick. “Charging sidewalk tolls for people walking and biking is not only impractical and unfair, it also directly undermines both the Bay Area's and statewide climate change and public health goals."
"The Golden Gate Bridge is an icon of the Bay Area, and its use should align with our values,” said Noah Budnick, Executive Director, San Francisco Bicycle Coalition. “The Bay Area supports people choosing healthy, environmentally friendly ways of getting around. Many of our 10,000-plus members have reached out to share their enthusiasm for Assemblymember Ting's efforts to ensure that healthy behavior is encouraged across our region's bridges."
"AB 40 is the opportunity to put a bad idea to bed,” said Jim Elias, Executive Director, Marin County Bicycle Coalition. “Charging a bike and pedestrian toll on our bridges is inconsistent with the many regional and national green goals that seek cleaner air, less road congestion, and healthier communities. We should instead focus our efforts on encouraging and enabling opportunities for people to walk and ride their bikes."
The Golden Gate Bridge is managed by a special district created by the State Legislature through the Bridge and Highway District Act of 1923. The prohibition in AB 40 updates this law that governs the Golden Gate Highway and Transportation District, which voted last October to study, again, the imposition of a sidewalk toll. The toll was among over 40 options to eliminate a projected operating deficit. However, a 2005 analysis conducted by the District found such a toll at the state’s most visited bridge would generate just $500,000 to $1.5 million annually.
Forty percent of climate changing emissions come from transportation. In 2014 Bay Area commuters lost over 45 million hours in traffic, wasting $291 million in fuel. The Golden Gate Bridge is crossed by tens of millions of people each year, with as many as 10,000 pedestrians and 6,000 cyclists crossing each day. And, 43.6% of tourists report visiting the bridge during their visit to San Francisco.
There are four bridges at the borders of the United States that charge 50-cent pedestrian tolls. One links New York and Canada at Niagara Falls and the other three bridges link El Paso, Texas with Ciudad Juarez, Mexico.
AB 40 passed the Assembly 65-13 vote and the Senate 29-11. It is now pending Governor Jerry Brown’s signature or veto until October 11. Further information is available at www.leginfo.ca.gov.
CONTACT: Anthony Matthews, tel. (916) 319-2019, anthony.matthews@asm.ca.gov