FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

March 29, 2026

SAN FRANCISCO— The California Highway Patrol’s (CHP) San Francisco Area office and the San Francisco Police Department (SFPD) worked collaboratively to identify a large group of bicyclists intending to enter the San Francisco – Oakland Bay Bridge (SFOBB) on Saturday afternoon. The operation resulted in the issuance of 85 citations and the seizure of 85 bicycles.

On Saturday, March 28, 2026, the CHP alerted SFPD to a large group of bicyclists currently riding recklessly on city streets, believed to be heading to the SFOBB with the intent of entering the roadway and taking over the bridge. As CHP and SFPD personnel responded to the area, the SFPD Real Time Investigations Center began tracking the group and providing updates to officers. Eventually, the group accessed the bridge by riding the wrong way up the Harrison Street off-ramp, where they were met by a large contingent of CHP and SFPD personnel.

In total, 85 participants were detained, cited for riding a bicycle onto a freeway, and released. Additionally, 85 bicycles were seized by law enforcement on scene.

“What we saw yesterday was not harmless fun. This is no place for games or risky behavior. 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. Our priority is safety, and actions like this put lives at risk and disrupt critical transportation corridors. We will continue to enforce the law and hold individuals accountable to prevent a tragedy before it occurs. I want to thank our partners at the San Francisco Police Department for their incredible teamwork on this incident that ultimately resulted in preventing this takeover from happening.”

-CHP San Francisco Captain Tim McCollister

“I want to commend the CHP and SFPD personnel involved in this incident for their incredible collaboration and hard work that stopped this group before they could wreak havoc on our freeways. I also want to thank SFPD Chief Derrick Lew for his continued support and partnership as our agencies work together to keep San Francisco safe.”

-CHP Golden Gate Division Chief Steve Ramos

Throughout this incident, riders were witnessed riding directly at moving vehicles, swerving in and out of traffic, and coming dangerously close to pedestrians traveling on city streets. These actions endanger not only the general public but also the individuals participating in this type of careless and dangerous behavior, which can not be tolerated.  Engaging in this behavior on our freeway systems poses an even greater risk, as vehicle speeds are higher and the risk of serious injury increases. The CHP, and our allied agency partners will continue to work to identify, stop, and hold those responsible accountable for their actions.

The mission of the CHP is to provide the highest level of Safety, Service, and Security.

Officer Mark Andrews

CHP San Francisco Area

MaAndrews@chp.ca.gov

(415) 407-3741