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| Calbike sponsored legislation agenda |
California Roadway Users Changing
California's roadway population is changing, our roads and streets are showing signs of obsolescence, they are becoming Stoads. In Laguna Beach too our roadway users are changing from car-only to mixed-use: a blend of walkers, active transportation, transit and cars.
Complete Streets are safe streets, comfortable for people
who walk, bike, and take transit as well as driving motor vehicles. In 2020 Laguna Beach ranked by OTS as the most dangerous
city in 103 California cities for 1-speed related injuries and fatalities 2-alcohol
related collisions. Laguna Beach demands Complete Streets.
All roadway users demand equal access to our streets and highways, these demands are driven by affordable housing, congestion, economics, trip distance, and parking. Complete Streets are a remedy for a new mobility plan as mandated in LB General Plan Policy and the LB Vision 2030 Strategic Plan, and consistent with climate action policy in the LB Climate Protection Action Plan.
2019 Legislation Failed
In 2017, a CalBike-commissioned poll showed that Californians across the state, political and demographic groups support building Complete Streets.
In 2019 CalBike sponsored SB 127,
the Complete Streets for Active Living Bill. The bill would
have required Caltrans to follow its own Complete Streets Policy and
prioritize the safety of everyone using our roads. Despite overwhelming support in the legislature and from constituents,
Governor Gavin Newsom vetoed the Bill.
Complete Streets Policy Sponsors
In 2023, CalBike joined 100 mobility, climate justice, and transportation organizations
to write Governor Gavin Newsom, urging an independent
investigation of Caltrans, better oversight and a moratorium on freeway expansion.
In 2024 CalBike and co-sponsors are once again sponsoring a Complete Streets bill introduced by Senator Wiener, SB 960.
The result of the co-sponsors persistence and hard work are a new legislative agenda for 2024. A brief introduction to the new legislation follows.
2024 Complete Streets Bill
SB 960, authored by Senator Scott Wiener, would require Caltrans to implement safe infrastructure for people bicycling and walking when it repaves a state route that serves as a local street. CalBike invites you to join their Complete Streets Campaign.
Safe Vehicles Save Lives Bill
SB 961 another part of Senator Wiener’s safer streets package. This bill consists of two measures; the first part requires trucks to provide side-guards to protect people riding bikes or walking from being
pulled under the rear wheels of a truck. Trucking companies oppose the
measure. The second part requires speed limiters on passenger cars to a maximum 10 mph above the posted speed limit, starting with 2027 models.
Quicker and Better Bikeways Bill
AB 2290 the Better Bikeways Bill limits state funding for Class III bikeways (or bike
routes) to streets with speed limits under 20 mph. These are the least
safe bicycle infrastructure, which typically include only Sharrows
marking a lane shared by car drivers and people on bikes. The bill removes loopholes and strengthens requirements for Complete Streets on state and local street projects already funded by the Road Maintenance and Rehabilitation Program.
The bill’s final provision creates a quick-build pilot at Caltrans. Quick-build adds safety elements for people bicycling and walking in months rather than years.
No Freeway Expansions for Freight
AB 2535, sponsored by the Charge Ahead California coalition, limits highway expansions for freight traffic, a critical step toward reducing our freeway dependence and triggeriing induced demand from freeway expansions.
A Plethora of New Complete Streets Legislation
How to Take Action
-LS
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