Bike Across the Golden Gate Bridge in Bay Area
Rent a Bike to cross the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco
Sep 30, 2009
No visit to San Francisco will be complete without stopping by the Golden Gate Bridge. The Golden Gate Bridge connects San Francisco to the quaint town of Sausalito. It spans 1.7 miles and may be crossed by car, by foot or by bike.
Bike Across the Golden Gate Bridge
Biking across the bridge offers a fun way for families with kids to see the bridge up-close as well as burn off some extra energy accumulated during a road trip. There are numerous places to stop across the bridge to rest and enjoy the view.
There are a few companies in San Francisco that rent out bikes either by the day or by the hour. Of course, one may also use personal bikes as well.
Many Bike Options Available for Rent
There are many options available for bicycle rentals in the San Francisco area, including single bikes, tandem bikes, children’s bikes, bikes with trailers or toddler seats attached to either the front or back of the adult bike. There are also tag-along bikes which are child sized bikes attached to the rear of an adult bike. This option allows the child to pedal his or her own bike while the parent controls the direction of the bike. Children must wear a helmet, which are provided free of charge. Adults are given the choice of wearing a helmet or not.
The companies provide riders with a map as well as advice on routes to take. There are a few blocks where families must ride in the street but traffic is usually so congested that cars move slowly. Once on the bike path, riders must stay on the right side of the path so as not to get run over by faster riders.
The Bike Path Over the Golden Gate Bridge
The bike path leading to the Golden Gate Bridge climbs two steep hills, which most families walk up with their bikes, before arriving at the Golden Gate Bridge. The west side of the bridge is restricted to bike riders on the weekends so riders do not to have to dodge in and out of pedestrians. Still, there are plenty of serious bike riders out there and kids must be reminded to stay to the right.
The ride on the bridge may be broken up by stops to admire the view and catch a breath. Riders may choose to either turn around on the other side of the bridge or even on the middle of the bridge and head back to the city. Families may also choose to continue riding into Sausalito to explore the little town and visit cafés, shops and restaurants. From there, families may take the ferry back over the bay into the city for a small fare and then return their bikes to the bike rental store.
All in all, this is a nice trip for families although it may be tiring for little legs without stopping along the way. Choosing a bike with a trailer, a toddler seat or a tag-along bike will make it easier for the younger set.
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