Crossing the Golden Gate Bridge is about to get tougher -- unless you're driving.
Cyclists and pedestrians will be asked to share the space on the iconic span's eastern side, as the western side -- reserved for bicycles only -- shuts down until April for trail restoration and other work, according to the San Francisco Examiner.
The western pathway will close Jan. 9.
The Bay Trail at Battery East which leads directly to the western side's pathway is being improved with new bike and pedestrian lanes, resurfacing, and new fencing, according to the newspaper.
Both sides of the bridge's pathways have been shut down at one time or another in the past year, for seismic retrofit work and cable repainting projects, the newspaper observed.
Up to 10,000 pedestrians and 6,000 cyclists can crowd onto the bridge on a busy weekend day or holiday, according to bridge officials.
Disclosure: NBC Bay Area is the media sponsor for the Golden Gate Bridge's 75th Anniversary celebration in 2012.
