Politics & Government
Bike the Bay Bridge — Cyclists, Walkers Head Out on New Path
A portion of the bike and pedestrian path was opened to the public Tuesday morning. So far, it's only on the new span, so you can't actually reach San Francisco by bicycle or even exit at Yerba Buena Island.
By Bay City News Service
Hours after Bay Area drivers made their way across the Bay Bridge's new eastern span for the first time on Monday night, dozens of people pedaled and walked on the span's newly opened bike and pedestrian path this morning (Tuesday).
Oakland city leaders and transit officials were on hand to dedicate the path to late Oakland city planner and longtime bicycle advocate Alexander Zuckermann, for whom the bike path is named.
A green-and-white sign bearing his name was unveiled at the entrance to the path in Oakland as cars whizzed past on the parallel roadway.
Oakland city staffers, Caltrans employees and dozens of Bay Area biking enthusiasts watched a performance by a lion dancing and martial arts group and heard from East Bay mayors Jean Quan, Amy Worth, and Kurt Brinkman, from Oakland, Orinda and Emeryville, respectively.
The speakers touted the importance of the bike accessibility.
Alamo resident Suzie Telles, who was among the cyclists who participated in the inaugural ride, said, "I never thought I'd see this happen."
The bike and pedestrian path opened to the public at about 11:30 a.m.
Copyright © 2013 by Bay City News, Inc. -- Republication, Rebroadcast or any other Reuse without the express written consent of Bay City News, Inc. is prohibited.
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