Update: Assembly Transportation Committee Supports Landmark Active Transportation Slate

Updated 3/30/22

On March 28, 2022, the California Assembly Transportation Committee held a historic hearing with an opportunity to advance seven bills that advance active transportation. We’re happy to report that the committee voted to support all seven critical pieces of legislation. Thank you to all of you who sent emails and tweets to your assemblymembers on the committee to ask them to vote yes on the Active Transportation Slate of seven bills!

7 vital bills that lift up active transportation

Here’s what’s in these critical bills and which committees will consider them next.

The Bicycle Safety Stop

(AB 1713, Boerner Horvath): As written, the bill allows all bike riders aged 18 and over to treat stop signs as yields. CalBike asks the committee to amend the bill to lower the age to 16. If someone is old enough to drive, they are mature enough to responsibly practice the Bicycle Safety Stop. Next stop: Assembly Appropriations Committee.

Legalize Safe Street Crossings

(AB 2147, Ting): A critical step forward in reducing over-policing of Black and brown Californians, this bill eliminates jaywalking ticketing for safe midblock crossings. Next stop: Assembly Appropriations Committee.

The Bikes Belong Bill 

(AB 1909, Friedman): This bicycle omnibus bill changes several sections of the California Vehicle Code to enhance safety for people on bikes and expand where people on e-bikes may ride. It’s California’s endorsement of the idea that bikes belong on our roads and streets. The changes in this measure include:

• Car drivers must switch lanes to pass a bike if there is a passing lane.
• Bikes can enter an intersection with the pedestrian walk light and don’t have to wait for the traffic light to turn green.
• Municipalities can’t require bicycle registration.
• Removes the prohibition of Class 3 e-bikes on bike paths and trails. Local ordinances may bar e-bikes from equestrian and hiking trails, but not bikeways.

These changes, taken together, will make the streets safer and more equitable for people on bikes. Next stop: Assembly Appropriations Committee.

Leading Pedestrian Crossing Signals 

(AB 2264, Bloom) A measure that would require a headstart for pedestrians before traffic can move when a light turns green, improving pedestrian safety. If implemented along with the Bikes Belong Bill, this measure will also enhance bike safety by giving bike riders a head start at busy intersections. Next stop: Assembly Appropriations Committee.

Bicycle Highways Bill 

(AB 2237, Friedman): This measure requires regional transportation plans to be written to include visionary elements such as 15-minute neighborhoods and bicycle highways. Next stop: Assembly Natural Resources Committee.

Speed Camera Pilot

(AB 2336, Friedman): Speed kills on California streets and this bill creates a pilot program to study speed cameras for better and more equitable enforcement of speed limits. Next stop: Assembly Privacy and Consumer Protection Committee.

Transportation and Climate 

(AB 2438, Friedman): If this bill becomes law, all transportation projects will have to align with California’s climate goals in order to receive state or local funding, which means putting active transportation and public transport at the center of California’s transportation future. Next stop: Assembly Appropriations Committee.

All these measures are worthy of support. Taken together, they represent an exciting leap forward to mitigate climate change, create more livable communities, and make our streets more equitable and safe for all Californians. CalBike urges the committee members to Vote YES on each of these seven critical bills.

Use the form above to contact your assemblymember. The members of the Assembly Transportation Committee are:

Laura Friedman (Chair)	AD 43
Vince Fong (Vice Chair)	AD 34
Marc Berman	AD 24
Jordan Cunningham	AD 35
Tom Daly	AD 69
Laurie Davies	AD 73
Mike A. Gipson	AD 64
Ash Kalra	AD 27
Alex Lee	AD 25
Jose Medina	AD 61
Adrin Nazarian	AD 46
Janet Nguyen	AD 72
Patrick O’Donnell	AD 70
Christopher M. Ward	AD 78
Buffy Wicks	AD 15