Richmond-San Rafael Bridge Bike/Ped Path: New Operating Hours Starting Next Week, travel and shuttle services

Published on October 22, 2025

Commuters and visitors who utilize the Richmond-San Rafael Bridge bike and pedestrian path will be able to notice changes to the operating hours starting next week. The changes are meant to balance the upper deck’s increasing traffic demand against the hours remaining accessible to cyclists and pedestrians. These changes come into effect starting Monday, October 27, 2025.

New Hours for Bike and Pedestrian Access

The bicycle and pedestrian path will now be closed from 11 p.m. Sundays to 2 p.m. Thursdays. During these hours, the space typically occupied by the path will be repurposed as a highway shoulder for westbound traffic. This decision has been made to manage high traffic volume during weekdays, ensuring smoother travel across the bridge.

However, the path will be open to the public from 2 p.m. Thursday through 11 p.m. Sunday, offering cyclists and pedestrians more consistent access over the weekend. Additionally, the path will remain open on select weekday holidays, such as Memorial Day, Independence Day (if observed on a Monday), Labor Day, Thanksgiving (Wednesday afternoon to Sunday night), and the Christmas-to-New Year week.

Free Shuttle Service for Bridge Users

On days when the path is closed, a free shuttle service will be available to accommodate travelers on foot or by bike. The shuttle will operate from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily. It will transport passengers between two main locations:

• Richmond Side: The shuttle will pick up and drop off at the AC Transit bus turnaround located on Tewksbury Avenue in the Point Richmond neighborhood.
• San Rafael Side: Passengers can board or disembark at the Vista Point parking lot, situated near the intersection of East Francisco Blvd. and Main Street.

The shuttle includes a bicycle trailer to carry bikes along the route, ensuring that cyclists are not left behind during the bridge path closure.

Planning Your Trip

For cyclists and pedestrians planning to cross the Richmond-San Rafael Bridge, it’s important to keep the new hours in mind to avoid delays. To help with the transition, signs have already been placed along the approaches to the bridge from both the Richmond and San Rafael sides. These signs will notify users about the updated path schedules and shuttle services.

It is highly recommended for travelers to check the updated schedule and plan their trips accordingly, especially during the weekday closures. If you’re planning to cycle across the bridge during the restricted hours, take advantage of the shuttle service to ensure you can still make your journey.

About the Richmond-San Rafael Bridge and MTC

The Richmond-San Rafael Bridge is one of the key connections between the cities of Richmond and San Rafael in the Bay Area. The bridge serves as a vital route for commuters traveling across the bay. The Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC) and the Bay Area Toll Authority (BATA) jointly oversee the bridge and its operations.

MTC is responsible for planning, financing, and coordinating transportation efforts across the nine counties of the San Francisco Bay Area. BATA administers the tolls collected from the Bay Area’s seven state-owned toll bridges, including the Richmond-San Rafael Bridge.

What Travelers Need to Know

• Effective Date: The new operating hours start on Monday, October 27, 2025.
• Hours of Path Closure: Sunday 11 p.m. to Thursday 2 p.m.
• Hours of Path Open: Thursday 2 p.m. to Sunday 11 p.m. (also on select holidays).
• Shuttle Service: Available from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. on days when the path is closed. The shuttle offers bike trailers for cyclists.

Travelers and weekend visitors accessing the Richmond-San Rafael Bridge will appreciate the fine-tuned schedules operational in this area. Make time for any changes in planning the trips. Notice the posted updates while on the bridge and use the shuttle service for an optimal crossing on the bridge.

Visit the MTC webpage to get the latest on the bridge and shuttle schedules as well as other pertinent notices and updates.