85 Bikes Seized, Riders Cited in Failed Bay Bridge Takeover Attempt

California Highway Patrol stopped the group from entering the bridge and turning around

Mar. 29, 2026 at 10:33pm by Ben Kaplan

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Dozens of bicyclists were cited and had their bikes seized by authorities after attempting to take over the Bay Bridge in San Francisco on Saturday. The group was seen riding recklessly through city streets before trying to enter the bridge, where they were met by officers from the California Highway Patrol and San Francisco Police Department.

Why it matters

Unauthorized bridge takeovers pose a serious public safety risk, as cyclists riding the wrong way on a freeway can endanger both themselves and drivers. This incident highlights ongoing tensions between cyclists, drivers, and law enforcement over the use of public infrastructure in the Bay Area.

The details

The group of cyclists entered the Bay Bridge by riding up the wrong way on the Harrison Street off-ramp, where they were stopped by officers before they could fully access the bridge. Police said the cyclists were seen swerving in and out of traffic and coming dangerously close to pedestrians prior to the bridge attempt. Authorities detained and cited 85 people for riding a bike on the freeway, and seized 85 bikes.

  • The incident occurred on Saturday, March 29, 2026.

The players

California Highway Patrol

The state law enforcement agency that patrols California's highways and bridges, including the Bay Bridge.

San Francisco Police Department

The local law enforcement agency that provided surveillance and support to the CHP during the incident.

Tim McCollister

Captain of the CHP San Francisco Area, who condemned the cyclists' actions as posing a serious danger to public safety.

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What they’re saying

“What we saw yesterday was not harmless fun. Riding the wrong way on the freeway poses a serious danger not only to cyclists but also to the motoring public traveling at freeway speeds.”

— Tim McCollister, Captain, CHP San Francisco Area

What’s next

The cited cyclists will likely face fines or other penalties for their actions, and authorities may increase security measures to prevent future unauthorized bridge takeover attempts.

The takeaway

This incident underscores the ongoing tensions between cyclists, drivers, and law enforcement over the use of public infrastructure in San Francisco. It highlights the need for better coordination and communication to ensure the safe and equitable sharing of roads and bridges.