Action Alert - Speak Up Now For a Safer, People-First Bridgeway Waterfront
Kieran Culligan
Hi folks,
I've been pretty lazy on the SF2G front since fall hit and just doing the short commute to the Caltrain, but I hope to get a bit more active again this spring. We've been working on various bike & ped improvement projects in Sausalito and there's a big meeting this Saturday concerning the waterfront stretch. We're up against comments like "Require bicycle riders for reasons of public safety to walk bikes between Princess and Richardson" (which is a half mile 🤔), so we could really use some emails and live comments in support of modernized infrastructure.
I'd be so grateful to have folks here weigh in (links below), and even better encourage your Sausalito-dwelling friend, aunt, dog-walker, aunt's dog-walker, or dog-walker's aunt to write in. Thank you!!!
Kieran
Note: this project isn't really as much about us folks who are used to riding in all sorts of mediocre conditions, but rather the people who aren't riding because they don't feel safe. Solidarity in active transportation!
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Summary: Sausalito City Council has a grant-funded opportunity to make Bridgeway better -- crosswalks, legal loading zones, and bike lanes -- it’s basically a free pilot recommended by experts who have studied the safety issues with the current waterfront configuration. If you want positive change, you have to speak up. Draft an email here or join the meeting on Saturday March 29, 1pm at City Hall or on Zoom.
Dear Friends and Neighbors,
You know something is wrong when the City of Sausalito commissions a safety study, an injury crash happens during the safety study, and some people still try to pretend there isn't a serious problem.
Bridgeway between Princess and Richardson has a history of safety issues and even death. We have a funded, expert-backed plan to pilot a fix, but it's facing ridiculous opposition based on fear, not facts. It's time to speak up.
Let's Be Real About the Problems – This Isn't Hypothetical, People Get Hurt on Bridgeway:
It's Unsafe: There were 50 crashes over the past decade, with nearly HALF the collisions here involve people walking or biking. We have ZERO crosswalks on this entire stretch. And frankly, it's disgusting to hear these dangers minimized when a pedestrian was struck and killed in this very section (hit by a truck using the center lane in 2007). The data shows serious injuries, including a cyclist recently taken away by ambulance right here during the safety study period – I personally saw the aftermath. These aren't just statistics; they are our neighbors and visitors suffering real harm because of an unsafe design that we can fix.
It's Illegal and Dysfunctional: That center lane? According to California Vehicle Code it's supposed to be for left turns ONLY (max 200 ft). Instead, it's a free-for-all for illegal parking and deliveries, blocking views and creating hazards – the exact kind of hazard that contributed to a death. Bikes are forced into traffic with cars, a recipe for conflict, especially with visitors unfamiliar with the road.
It Degrades Our Waterfront: This chaos makes the waterfront stressful, not serene. It actively discourages walking (can you believe the northbound travel lane is immediately adjacent to the sidewalk?!), makes cycling intimidating, and prioritizes car throughput over people actually enjoying the space. Is this the Sausalito we want?
Cyclist injured on Bridgeway by a motorist, July 2, 2024
The Common-Sense Solution is Right Here:
Professional transportation engineers have designed and recommended a pilot project (Near-Term Option 1) that addresses these issues:
Orderly Loading for People in Cars & Trucks: Create designated, legal loading zones with clear hours, reducing the illegal parking that currently plagues the area.
Safe Crossings for People on Foot: Install clearly marked, flashing crosswalks so pedestrians aren't playing Frogger to get across Bridgeway.
Protected Space for People on Bicycles: Replace the chaotic center lane with dedicated bike lanes – safer for cyclists, less conflict for drivers. The Staff Report is crystal clear that emergency response times will not be impacted, “Emergency Services are confident that any reconfiguration that retains the street’s curb-to-curb width, such as repurposing the center lane (two-way left turn lane), will not hinder emergency circulation along this section of Bridgeway.”
Safety Improvements BOOST Economic Vitality:
Some businesses may worry about change, fearing impacts on parking or deliveries. But let's ask: what truly drives economic vitality on our unique waterfront? It's people! People wanting to stroll safely without dodging traffic, families biking without fear, visitors lingering and spending money because the atmosphere is pleasant and welcoming, not stressful and dangerous. This project fosters that environment. Furthermore, predictable, legal loading zones offer more reliability for deliveries than the current illegal free-for-all in the center lane. A waterfront that's safe, accessible, and inviting for everyone is ultimately a waterfront where businesses thrive long-term.
Don't Fall for the Fear-Mongering:
You're going to hear some truly wild, baseless claims designed to scare people away from this sensible plan. Things like your home insurance getting cancelled (Seriously?! That's utter nonsense). There are a few articles and mailers floating around, so I want to set the record straight on a few points. I’m not going to pretend that I’m a licensed transportation engineer, but I’m going to share some basics that cut through the BS:
FACT: Accidents are happening and people are getting hurt on the Bridgeway waterfront. 50+ crashes in the last 10 years, with about half of them involving “vulnerable road users”, pedestrians and cyclists. The stretch is designated as part of Marin County’s “High Injury Network,” with the second highest crash rate among all segments in Sausalito.
FACT: Emergency response times will not be impacted. Don't let debunked fears about emergency access derail safety improvements. Let me repeat the quote mentioned above from the staff report: “Emergency Services are confident that any reconfiguration that retains the street’s curb-to-curb width, such as repurposing the center lane (two-way left turn lane), will not hinder emergency circulation along this section of Bridgeway.”
FACT: Use of the center lane for loading and temporary parking is prohibited by law. As stated in the staff report: “per the California Vehicle Code. (CVC §21460.5), the purpose of a two way left-turn lane is for preparing for or making a left turn from or into the roadway. By law it can only be driven on for this purpose, and only for a maximum of 200 feet.”
FACT: Illegal use of the center lane led to a pedestrian fatality. Read more about the tragic crash here.
FACT: Sausalito recently lost its insurance because of accident claims.
FACT: There are no crosswalks for more than half a mile. The professional traffic engineers say, in writing, that crosswalks are not compatible with the center lane given how it’s used today. It would have to be removed for crosswalks to be installed.
FACT: Professional traffic engineers recommend the design that adds crosswalks for improving pedestrian safety, adds loading zones for improving worker safety, and adds bike lanes for improving biker safety. The design will also calm traffic speeds and improve vehicle safety.
FACT: $504,600 in grant funding is waiting for us, there is no need to spend millions now. This is sufficient to cover pilot improvements for loading zones, crosswalks, and bike lanes, including a microseal which will extend the life of the roadway. We lose it if the Council doesn't act by August. This isn't costing the city millions; it's about leveraging outside funds for a pilot. The project was always to be paid 100% from the “free” money of the grant.
This is About the Sausalito We Want:
This isn't just about paint on pavement. It's about choosing what kind of city we want to be. Do we want a waterfront dominated by traffic and illegal parking, or one that invites people to walk, bike, and linger safely? Do we prioritize cars cutting through, or people enjoying our public spaces? This project is a step towards a more liveable, sustainable Sausalito that puts people first.
ACTION NEEDED: Make Noise by March 29th!
The opposition is loud, relying on misinformation. We need you to speak up with the facts and our vision for a better Sausalito. The City Council holds a Special Meeting on Saturday, March 29th, 2025, at 1:00 PM. This is the opportunity for City Council to accept the grant and move forward with a grant-funded pilot.
Here’s How to Fight for a Better Bridgeway:
Email the City Council NOW. Email draft generator here. Tell them nicely but firmly that you support accepting the OBAG3 grant and implementing the Bridgeway Safety Improvement Project as a pilot. Demand they prioritize safety and people over baseless fears.
Show up (In-Person or Online). Be at the meeting March 29th, 1 PM, City Hall (420 Litho St) or on Zoom (password: 123456). Let them see and hear the support for a safer waterfront.
We cannot let misinformation, fear, and inertia block common-sense progress that will save lives and make our city better. Let's fight for the safer, more people-friendly Sausalito waterfront we deserve!
In determination,
Kieran Culligan
Sausalito resident, pedestrian, parent, bicycle commuter, driver, and frustrated optimist