Well over 1,200 people have killed themselves jumping off the Golden Gate Bridge. And we know a barrier can prevent—not simply deter—most all these deaths.

The Golden Gate Bridge suicide barrier debate is almost as old as the bridge itself. The first known jumper went over only three months after the bridge opened in 1937. It seems every decade there is a stir of interest, followed by controversy and then, inaction. Yet as the debate has gone on, our understanding of suicide and the effectiveness of barriers has deepened. Likewise, the questions and concerns raised have been addressed and answered. It’s time to build the suicide barrier.

Other landmark structures, faced with a suicide problem have installed barriers. Their results are dramatic—the jumping stopped. It stopped in Paris at the Eiffel Tower. It stopped in New York at the Empire State Building. Other bridges in North America—even in California—have seen the jumping stopped. We know suicide barriers work.

We also know suicide is primarily an impulsive act. Once it is prevented the chance of subsequent suicide is very small. A landmark study conducted by Dr. Richard Seiden followed the lives of 515 persons removed from the Golden Gate Bridge before they could jump. He checked the record of their lives—for an average of 26 years—and found that 94% were either still alive or had died of natural causes. For the full text of this research, click here.

Much of the controversy centers on design and aesthetic concerns—for good reason. Some proposals were simply bad design. We believe the historic look of the bridge can be preserved and an effective barrier can be put in place. In fact, past designs have featured improved views and an aesthetic fully in sync with the art deco style of the bridge. Even Herb Caen offered his approval for a design—proposed in 1973. Scroll to the bottom of this page to see an updated version of that design.

If Spanning the Gate was the design and engineering challenge—we can surely build a pleasing, effective suicide barrier.

To join the effort, or for more information, click here

Tad Friend wrote an extensive update on the Golden Gate Bridge suicide barrier saga. It appeared in the October 13, 2003 issue of the New Yorker. To read Jumpers — The Fatal Grandeur of the Golden Gate Bridge, click here.

MD Canada published a recent article on bridge suicide barriers and the research that supports their construction.

There have been a number of proposed designs for a Golden Gate Bridge Suicide Barrier. Among the most popular is the proposal sketched below. This was originally published in the Chronicle, October 12, 1973. The illustration has been updated to include the pedestrian railing recently added to the bridge. We will post other proposals as they become available.