New Survey Reveals America's Most Feared Bridges for Cyclists — Golden Gate Tops the List

NEWPORT BEACH, Calif. - May 18, 2026 - PRLog -- "From a personal injury perspective, bridges can create a uniquely risky environment for cyclists because the usual margin for error is often reduced," said Brian Chase, managing partner of Bisnar Chase. "When a rider is dealing with fast-moving vehicles, narrow shoulders, poor surfaces, wind exposure, or drivers passing too closely, a small mistake by a motorist can have grave consequences. These findings are a reminder that cyclist safety is not just about individual caution—it is also about driver responsibility, safer road design, and making sure vulnerable road users are properly protected."

The survey, conducted, asked 3,057 cyclists nationwide to rank the bridges that cause them the biggest knots in their stomachs. Here are the top 10 most feared:

1. Golden Gate Bridge (San Francisco/Marin County, CA) – Wind, tourists, noise, and that dizzying drop over the bay.
2. Queensboro Bridge (Manhattan/Queens, NY) – Tight quarters, heavy commuter traffic, and that long climb.
3. Rio Grande Gorge Bridge (near Taos, NM) – 600 feet above the river with nothing but open sky and steel beneath your wheels.
4. George Washington Bridge (Fort Lee/Manhattan, NJ) – Massive scale and constant hustle.
5. Rickenbacker Causeway (Miami/Key Biscayne, FL) – Fast beach traffic and long open stretches over water.
6. Hurricane Gulch Bridge (Parks Highway, AK) – Steep drops and fast highway traffic with zero shelter.
7. Conowingo Dam / US 1 Crossing (Susquehanna River, MD) – Sharing the road with cars in a rugged, no-frills setup.
8. Astoria–Megler Bridge (Astoria, OR) – Four miles of narrow shoulders, wind, and no way around it.
9. Jekyll Island Causeway Bridges (near Brunswick, GA) – Sudden shift from relaxed island roads to exposed causeway traffic.
10. Wheeling Suspension Bridge (Wheeling, WV) – Vintage structure that feels delicate even though it's closed to cars.

The numbers back up the anxiety: 42% of cyclists said they've had a near-miss with a vehicle on or near a bridge. Nearly half (44%) have turned around or changed their route because a bridge felt too dangerous, and more than half (53%) admitted that scary bridges have kept them from riding to a favorite beach, park, job, or neighborhood.

The most common driver mistakes? Passing too closely or crowding the bike lane (both at 16%), followed by speeding and distracted driving.

Bisnar Chase Personal Injury Attorneys, LLP serving clients throughout Orange County, Los Angeles, and Southern California, Bisnar Chase has been protecting the rights of injured people for over 47 years. The firm handles bicycle accidents, car crashes, product liability cases, and more, always fighting to make sure victims receive outstanding legal care.