San Francisco’s downtown and waterfront areas are popular destinations for visitors to the Bay Area, and it’s easy to see why. They’re easily accessible and home to exciting activities like shopping and ferry access — but this also means that they’re prime areas for bicycle accidents.
The Bay Area is a great place to travel by bike, whether you’re a local or a visitor, so you’ll notice that there are lots of cyclists around — especially in busy or touristy areas. Even if you’re not one of them, you can do your best to keep them safe.
In 2025, just one of the 25 traffic related fatalities in San Francisco was a cyclist — down from the three cyclist deaths the year prior. But each year there are potentially hundreds of cyclist injuries or close calls across the region. It’s difficult to know just how many bicycle crashes happen in the Bay Area because not all of them are reported to police. Busy traffic areas, distracted drivers, and unknowing passengers exiting cars pose a danger to other road users, sometimes even causing them harm.
While you’re visiting the city, do your part to improve cycling culture by watching for cyclists when disembarking from ride shares, avoiding driving in bike lanes, and following proper etiquette if you do find yourself on a bike in a busy area. Seeing the Bay Area by bicycle is a fantastic way to experience the city.
Safely using rideshares
Whether your rideshare has a human driver or is autonomous, it’s important to be aware of where your ride is parking for pickup and drop-off and what’s around you. You may think that it might be a quick stop, but even that can produce a risky environment for cyclists.
Try to arrange your pickup and drop-off in an area clearly marked for rideshares or temporary parking. This will be safest for both you and for other road users. This will most likely put you out of the way of a bike lane and will lessen the likelihood of a collision.
Read More: Self-Driving Cars Pose Safety Issues for Cyclists
These areas are some common tourists destinations that you may want to research before getting there so you know the best way to maneuver a rideshare:
- Market Street: This is often considered one of the busiest corridors of the city, stretching from the Ferry Building over four miles toward Twin Peaks. This is also a transportation hub, so you’ll find BART, historic streetcars, and some car traffic in areas, although large portions of Market Street do not allow cars. This is a good place to travel by bicycle, but if you’re new to the area, pay close attention to your surroundings because it’s often busy. On foot or on bike, the area can pose distractions, so stay focused and avoid hazards. Much of Market Street has labeled bike lanes, so utilize them as a cyclist or steer clear if you’re a pedestrian.
- The Embarcadero: Visitors to San Francisco will almost certainly find themselves along the Embarcadero, the boulevard that runs along the waterfront, at some point during their stay. Streetcars make their way all the way to the Embarcadero, so it’s a popular tourist destination. If you’re here, it’s important to be mindful of cyclists. Seeing the sights and taking in all of the San Francisco experiences can be a lot. Avoid wearing earbuds or headphones so you can hear what’s going on around you and avoid walking in areas that are only meant for cyclists.
- Fisherman’s Wharf: Dining, shopping, and catching cruises. Fisherman’s Wharf is one of the places to be if you’re a visitor to the city. Using a rideshare is one of the easiest ways to get here, but because it’s a busy area, visitors should be alert when they’re getting picked up or dropped off.
- Golden Gate Bridge: It just wouldn’t be a trip to the Bay Area without seeing the Bridge. Luckily, it’s not difficult to do! Rideshares will drop passengers off at designated areas, including the Welcome Center/South Lot. Other points, especially on the north side are trickier, however, so be prepared for that. But this all means you don’t have to worry that your driver will let you out along the bridge itself. Visitors to the Golden Gate Bridge arrive in a variety of ways, so like any other tourist destination around the city, be mindful of your surroundings and try to avoid collisions with others.
No matter where you’re visiting in the Bay Area, keep these tips in mind for safely traveling around the city by rideshare:
- Practice the “Dutch reach”: This is where you reach across your body to open the door to exit the car. It works because it forces your body to turn and look toward the road to see if any cyclists or passengers are in the way of your door. And be sure to check for cyclists coming before you even open the door. Opening a door into a cyclist — called “dooring” — can cause extreme danger and injuries.
- Exit curbside: When possible, exit or enter the car on the side closest to the curb, where the chances of encountering a cyclist are less likely.
- Choose safe spots for pick up and drop off: What starts off as a quick drop-off or pickup can turn dangerous, so if you’re blocking traffic or in a bike lane, kindly ask your driver to pull around to somewhere more safe.
Cycling as a tourist
If you are wanting to experience San Francisco or the Bay Area on two wheels, you’re in for a treat. Yes, there are steep hills, but there are also great vantage points, fun routes, and exciting adventures to be had.
Read More: How Cyclists Can Share the Road with Others
There are a number of places to rent bikes, but you may also find a bikeshare around the city.
If you’re not used to riding in urban areas, you may want to start somewhere where there is limited traffic so that you don’t have to worry about cars. San Francisco is a busy place, so it’s always important to pay attention to your surroundings, follow traffic laws, and be prepared.