California Legislative and Policy Update

AB 1358 "Complete Streets Act"

A bill important to California bicyclists and pedestrians got a boost on Tuesday with San Francisco Assemblymember Mark Leno's win in his race for the democratic nomination for the State Senate. Assembly Bill 1358, the Complete Streets Act, will ensure that the transportation plans of California communities meet the needs of all users of the roadway including pedestrians, bicyclists, users of public transit, motorists, children, the elderly, and the disabled. The bill was authored by Leno, and co-authored by Van Nuys Assemblymember Lloyd Levine. It has passed the State Assembly, but was in limbo in the State Senate pending the outcome of the primary election.

For the latest on this bill check http://leginfo.ca.gov/ and search for AB 1358

AB 2971, (DeSaulnier), Fair Share for Safety

Authored by Martinez Assemblymember Mark DeSaulnier, this bill would create the Fair Share for Safety program. Under this program, the California Department of Transportation would be required periodically to conduct an annual analysis for fatality rates of all modes of travel and to apportion federal transportation safety funds in a manner that is, to the extent possible, proportionate to the rate of fatalities for each mode of travel. Under current guidelines, projects to benefit bicyclist and pedestrian safety do not get a fair share of the money dedicated to safety projects, and this bill would seek to remedy that situation.

The California Bicycle Coalition has been working closely with Caltrans to improve the project ranking criteria so that bicycle and pedestrian projects will get their fair share of funding.

Caltrans Deputy Directive 64 Revision

Most advocates are aware of Caltrans Deputy Directive 64 (DD-64). In its current form it requires Caltrans to "fully consider the needs of non-motorized travelers (including pedestrian bicyclists and persons with disabilities) in all programming, planning, maintenance, construction, operations and project development activities and products." Efforts have been underway for the past 6 months to improve and strengthen the language. The current director of Caltrans, Will Kempton, is actively supporting this effort, and is working to change to culture of Caltrans to make the department more supportive of non-motorized travel in general, and of bikes in particular. A new stronger version of DD-64 is expected to be published by the end of June.

This is an exciting time for bicycle advocacy.

For more information on these items, see the California Bicycle Coalition website (http://www.calbike.org/) or email Paul at paul@svbcbikes.org.