Press Release: CalBike-Backed Bill to Strengthen Safe Streets Funding Advances to Senate Floor
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
SACRAMENTO — The California Bicycle Coalition today applauded the passage of AB 2168, authored by Assemblymember Buffy Wicks and sponsored by CalBike.
AB 2168 strengthens California’s Active Transportation Program by improving how projects are chosen, funded, and delivered. The bill helps move the program closer to its core purpose: getting more people safely walking, biking, and accessing transit. AB 2168 now moves to the Senate Floor after passing by a vote of 8 to 4.
“The Active Transportation Program is one of California’s most important tools for building safer streets. AB 2168 helps make sure limited dollars fund real connections and turn into projects people can use.”
– Kendra Ramsey, Executive Director of CalBike.
The Active Transportation Program funds sidewalks, safer crossings, bikeways, Safe Routes to School projects, and low-stress connections to transit. But demand for the program far exceeds available funding, and many awarded projects face long delays.
AB 2168 would strengthen ATP by:
- Modernizing the way access to transit is considered by the program.
- Encouraging larger, network-level improvements.
- Aligning ATP projects with other state transportation funds.
- Strengthening accountability when agencies fail to deliver projects on time.
- Encouraging coordination with transit agencies.
“California needs safer streets that connect,” Ramsey said. “A bikeway, sidewalk, or crossing should help complete a real route to transit, school, work, or daily needs. AB 2168 modernizes the ATP to better meet the transportation realities of Californians today.”
CalBike looks forward to building on this effort throughout the legislative process, and bringing this bill to the governor’s desk.
