Governor Vetos Fare Evasion Decriminalization

October 9, 2023/by Brian Smith

For Immediate Release: 10/9/23

Contact: Jared Sanchez, CalBike (714) 262-0921, Jared@CalBike.org

Governor Newsom Vetoes Bill to Decriminalize Transit Fare Evasion

SACRAMENTO – Governor Newsom has vetoed (AB 819, Bryan), which would have removed criminal penalties for transit fare evasion while leaving fines in place. The veto leaves it as a misdemeanor classification, leading to possible jail time for failing to pay a $2.00 fare.

CalBike strongly disagrees with Governor Gavin Newsom’s position and that of transit agencies that opposed this measure. In his veto statement, the governor said, “According to one operator, the bulk of the crimes committed in their system are committed by people who have not paid a fare. I cannot take an action to reduce penalties on fare evasion that could, in turn, contribute to an increase in crime on transit.”

The governor assumes that criminal penalties deter fare evasion when, in reality, many people fail to pay transit fares because of a lack of funds or running to catch a bus. Misdemeanor charges for fare evasion can result in a criminal record, adding to a cycle of poverty and underemployment.

Other laws are already in place to charge people who commit crimes on public transit. Criminalizing fare evasion is an example of the failed “broken windows” model of crime prevention, which does not deter crime but does victimize already marginalized populations.

“Fare evasion enforcement is often aimed at California’s communities of color while speeders on our highways are rarely cited,” said Jared Sanchez, policy director of CalBike. “AB 819 would have been a step in the right direction to end the criminalization of people just trying to get where they need to go.”

Existing law makes it a crime, punishable as an infraction and, subsequently, as a misdemeanor, for an adult to evade payment of a fare of a public transportation system. Under existing law, a third or subsequent violation of fare evasion “… is a misdemeanor and punishable by a fine of up to $400 or by imprisonment in a county jail for a period of not more than 90 days, or both.”

Response to Caltrans Firing Jeanie Ward-Waller

October 9, 2023/by Brian Smith

For Immediate Release: 10/9/23

Contact: Kendra Ramsey, CalBike, (707) 469-3387, kendra@calbike.org

CalBike Statement on Caltrans Firing of Active Mobility Expert

Caltrans Must Serve All Californians, Not Just People in Cars

Re: Caltrans to Ward-Waller: Our way or the highway – Politico 10/3/23

SACRAMENTO – In her role as Deputy Director of Planning and Modal Programs, former CalBike policy director Jeanie Ward-Waller was instrumental in moving Caltrans toward investments in transportation infrastructure that supports low-carbon mobility options for all Californians, and divesting from traffic-inducing practices and infrastructure. CalBike is disappointed that Caltrans removed Ward-Waller from this post, despite her record of positive achievements, including helping the agency draft its Complete Streets policy.

“Jeanie is a tireless advocate for better biking and walking infrastructure,” said CalBike executive director Kendra Ramsey. “Her firing is a huge loss for Caltrans, for climate justice, and for anyone who cares about creating safer roadways in California.”

As the agency responsible for 50,000 miles of roadways–almost 20% of which serve as local streets–Caltrans plays an enormous role in making roads in California safe places for people to bike and walk. The agency is also tasked with moving our transportation network away from car dependency to support the state’s climate change goals. But as the recent firing of the person responsible for keeping Caltrans on track with those goals shows, the agency that used to be called the Department of Highways still sees its primary role as increasing California’s highway capacity, working against the transition to a green transportation future.

California Must Invest in Complete Streets

It is a critical time for transportation in California; vulnerable road users are subject to an epidemic of traffic violence, and our state is not advancing quickly enough toward viable low-carbon transportation options. Now more than ever, Caltrans must be a leader in fostering Complete Streets throughout the state and rebuilding our transportation networks to support safe, accessible, and convenient options for walking, bicycling, and taking transit.

At the same time, it’s critical to stop expanding freeways. Decades of research confirm that increased highway capacity induces more driving, and California and the world must invest in alternatives to transport goods and people and divest from polluting roadways that fracture communities and habitats. Caltrans removed Ward-Waller from her post after she raised concerns that pavement rehabilitation funds were being used for roadway widening. This underscores the disconnect between Caltrans practices and California’s stated commitment to climate-friendly transportation policies.

What CalBike is Doing

CalBike worked to institutionalize a commitment to supporting active transportation at Caltrans when it sponsored the Complete Streets Bill in 2019, which would have mandated a more transparent process at the agency and more Complete Streets. Governor Gavin Newsom vetoed the bill citing the direction of new leadership, and Caltrans vowed to do better. While we have seen some improvement, Ward-Waller’s firing is an ominous sign that the agency’s priorities and vision remain car-centric.

CalBike is digging into how well Caltrans has lived up to its promises to consider the needs of people who bike and walk, and we expect to start releasing data this winter as we prepare a full report.

CalBike is also working with our partners in local and regional agencies as well as local and regional advocates to demand that Caltrans interchanges be subject to new Complete Streets design guidance under Design Information Bulletin (DIB) 94. We applaud the governor for signing SB 695, which will bring more transparency to Caltrans projects, but that’s just the first step.

CalBike remains committed to holding Caltrans accountable for honoring the will of the legislature to protect the climate and the safety of people biking and walking. California needs a moratorium on highway expansions and a strong commitment to creating Complete Streets that make biking and walking safe and appealing.

CalBike Calls Out Anti-Bike Bias

October 5, 2023/by Brian Smith

For Immediate Release: 10/5/23

Contact: Kendra Ramsey, CalBike, (707) 469-3387, kendra@calbike.org

CalBike Calls on Southern California Cities to Reverse Discriminatory Bicycle Regulations

SACRAMENTO – At a time when California communities should be encouraging more biking and walking, several cities in Southern California have responded to more people getting on bikes by imposing fines and restrictions.

“Not only do these regulations conflict with state law,” says CalBike executive director Kendra Ramsey, “but we know they will be enforced disproportionately against people of color. We need fewer punitive regulations, not more.”

Examples of the bicycle restrictions imposed by Southern California cities:

Carlsbad: After a speeding driver ran a stop sign and hit and killed a woman riding an e-bike in 2022, the city imposed restrictions on e-bikes.
Encinitas: After a teenager riding an e-bike was hit and killed by a van driver while “doing everything right” (according to witnesses), the city declared an e-bike emergency.
Manhattan Beach: The city has enacted laws governing bike riding that conflict with state law and carry penalties up to $1000 for violations.
Huntington Beach: The city adopted bike regulations similar to those in Manhattan Beach, empowering police to impound people’s bicycles and fines up to $500.

Bicycle use is regulated at the state level. While local jurisdictions have some leeway to impose local regulations, things such as where bikes can operate on the road and e-bike access to bike paths are dictated by state law.

CalBike calls on these and other cities to stop discriminating against people who ride bikes. The best way to ensure bike safety is to build complete, protected bikeways. We encourage every California community to prioritize the infrastructure to make biking safe.

Active Transportation Slate Goes to Governor

September 25, 2023/by Brian Smith

For Immediate Release: 9/25/23

Contact: Jared Sanchez, CalBike (714) 262-0921, Jared@CalBike.org

CalBike-Supported Active Transportation Slate Advances to Governor’s Desk

SACRAMENTO – A slate of six critical active transit bills supported by CalBike is now on the governor’s desk. The governor has until October 14 to sign or veto bills. If he takes no action, the bill becomes law.

“Taken together, these laws will improve biking, walking, and transit. In an era of increasingly extreme climate disruption, our overarching goal must be to help Californians get to where they need to go using active transportation,” said Jared Sanchez, policy director, CalBike. “Plus, all these measures have the added benefit of reducing auto-related traffic deaths.”

AB 825 Bryan: Safe Passage for Bikes

The Safe Passage for Bikes Bill allows bicycle riding on a sidewalk adjacent to a street that does not include a Class I, Class II, or Class IV bikeway. The bill will take away a justification for traffic stops that may be racially biased and give people on bikes safer places to ride on dangerous streets with no bikeways. At the same time, it includes provisions to protect pedestrians and give them the right of way on sidewalks. AB 825 is a positive step toward decriminalization and bike rider safety, and we hope the governor signs it.

AB 413 Lee: Daylighting to Save Lives

Intersections are the most common sites of collisions involving people walking and biking. The daylighting bill prohibits stopping, standing, or parking a vehicle within 20 feet of any unmarked or marked crosswalk. This is a crucial measure that will improve safety by increasing visibility.

AB 645 Friedman: Automated Speed Enforcement

The Automated Speed Enforcement Bill establishes an automated speed safety pilot program in six jurisdictions: the cities of Los Angeles, San Jose, Oakland, Glendale, and Long Beach, and the City and County of San Francisco. Cities must give 30-day notice before the program starts, and tickets issued for the first 60 days will be warnings only, with no fines. Automated speed enforcement is a proven deterrent to speeding in other states, and it’s crucial to making our streets safer since speed is a major factor in collisions with serious injuries and fatalities. The pilot cities are all eager to participate, and we hope the bill passes so we can get data on the effectiveness of speed cameras on California streets.

AB 819 Bryan: Decriminalizing Transit Fare Evasion

This bill decriminalizes fare evasion by removing it as a misdemeanor classification. Riders can still be fined, but potential penalties wouldn’t include jail time. In our ideal world, public transit would be free and frequent, with no need for police to check fares. Unfortunately, our civic budget priorities won’t fund that at the moment, but AB 819 is a step in the right direction.

AB 251 Ward: Deadly Oversized Cars

The Deadly Oversized Cars Bill convenes a task force to study the relationship between vehicle weight and injuries to pedestrians and cyclists and to study the costs and benefits of imposing a passenger vehicle weight fee. If California adds a weight fee, it could serve as a disincentive for manufacturers and consumers to make and purchase heavier SUVs and light trucks.

SB 695 Gonzalez: Caltrans Freeway Data

This data transparency measure will require Caltrans to prepare and make available information and data about activities on the state highway system on a public portal. It seems wonky, but having more visibility into Caltrans projects is crucial for advocates like CalBike because it will make it much easier to direct our efforts where they will have the most impact.

Passage of these measures will represent a crucial advance in equitable use of California streets and roads, providing increased safety for vulnerable road users and making it easier for Californians to choose low- and no-carbon transportation.

3 Active Transportation Bills to Watch this Week

September 11, 2023/by Brian Smith

For Immediate Release: 9/11/23

Contact: Jared Sanchez, Policy Director, CalBike, (714) 262-0921, Jared@CalBike.org

CalBike – Legislation Watch, End of the Session 2023

SACRAMENTO – As the California state legislature approaches its final days to send bills to the Governor’s Desk in 2023 (September 14), CalBike is prioritizing three bills.

“Biking is not a crime. California has underinvested in safe infrastructure for decades and overinvested in traffic policing, sometimes with lethal results,” explained Jared Sanchez, policy director at CalBike. “These remaining bills will improve safety and access for every person who bikes, walks, or takes public transportation in California.”

CalBike urges senators to vote yes on the Daylighting to Save Lives Bill (AB 413) and the Safe Passage for Bikes Bill (AB 825) and assemblymembers to vote yes on the Stop Pretextual Policing Bill (SB 50).

AB 413 – (Lee) Daylighting to Save Lives: This bill prohibits stopping, standing, or parking a vehicle within 20 feet of the approach direction of any unmarked or marked crosswalk to increase visibility and reduce potentially lethal collisions.

AB 825 – (Bryan) Safe Passage for Bikes: As part of CalBike’s “Biking Is Not a Crime” slate, this measure allows bicycle riding on a sidewalk adjacent to a street that does not include a Class I, Class II, or Class IV bikeway. It protects pedestrians by requiring people on bikes to share the space responsibly and gives local leaders flexibility to impose further safety restrictions.

SB 50 – (Bradford) Stop Pretextual Policing: Police stops of people for minor infractions while biking or driving doesn’t improve traffic safety. These stops are often aimed more at deterring crime, but they do little to prevent crime, disproportionately target Black and Latino Californians, and can lead to lethal encounters. Stop pretextual policing and direct police resources toward effective crime prevention measures.

Joint Statement on E-Bike Safety from California Bicycle Advocates

August 10, 2023/by Jared Sanchez

CalBike Announces New Executive Director

August 2, 2023/by Brian Smith

For Immediate Release: August 2, 2023

Contact: Kevin Claxton, 909-274-0137, kevin@calbike.org

CalBike Announces New Executive Director, Kendra Ramsey

Sacramento, CA – After a year-long search with many outstanding candidates, Kendra Ramsey, AICP (she/her), will become the new Executive Director of the California Bicycle Coalition and the California Mobility Fund.

Ramsey most recently worked as Active Transportation Project Manager for civil engineering firm GHD, developing innovative mobility options, Complete Streets plans, and corridor studies for local and regional agencies throughout the state. Ramsey is a nationally recognized expert in planning active transportation networks that meet community-identified needs, as well as developing policy and programs to help diverse constituencies choose walking and biking for daily trips.

“Working with local agencies and community members throughout California to plan bicycling and walking networks, I’ve seen the disconnect between policy and implementation, as well as the gaps left by historical investment patterns and our current oversubscribed funding programs,” Ramsey said. “I am excited to join CalBike at such a critical time for active transportation and mobility justice, and look forward to working with the board, staff, and partners to build on recent successes and launch new efforts to make walking and bicycling safer and easier for all Californians.”

Ramsey will join the growing number of women leading bicycle advocacy in the USA. In a field long dominated by men, women leaders bring a critical perspective to statewide bicycle advocacy. Making our streets safe enough for everyone to ride is central to the mission of CalBike.

“We’re absolutely thrilled to have Kendra’s expertise, vision, and passion joining our team at CalBike,” says Cynthia Rose, chair, CalBike Board of Directors. “It’s gratifying to see the trend of such talented women stepping into key leadership roles in organizations throughout our state.”

Interim Executive Director Kevin Claxton will remain as an integral part of our CalBike staff and transition to the position of Operations Manager once Ramsey steps into the Executive Director role in mid-August.

“Kendra joins CalBike at a pivotal moment,” Claxton says, “With her leadership, CalBike will build on our past successes and lead California’s active transportation movement to greater heights.”

About Cal Bike
CalBike advocates for equitable, inclusive, and prosperous communities where bicycling helps to enable all Californians to lead healthy and joyful lives. Visit us at online at Calbike.org.

Active Transportation Slate in Senate

July 10, 2023/by Brian Smith

For Immediate Release: 7/7/23

Contact: Jared Sanchez, policy director, (714) 262-0921, Jared@CalBike.org

CalBike’s “Active Transportation Slate” faces Senate Committee, Tues 7/11

Sacramento – On July 11, 2023, the California Senate Transportation Committee will consider a slate of active transportation bills supported by the California Bicycle Coalition (CalBike).

“Taken together, these five bills will improve safety and access for every person who bikes, walks, or takes public transportation in California,” explained Jared Sanchez, policy director at CalBike. “The more California supports active transportation, the closer we get to meeting our ambitious climate goals.”

Cal Bike’s Active Transportation Slate consists of these five bills:

Bicycle Safety Stop (AB 73, Boerner): The Safety Stop, already legal in several other states, allows people on bikes to treat stop signs as yields when the right of way is clear, which has proven the safest rule for clearing intersections of bicyclists, where most of the deadly accidents happen.

Daylighting to Save Lives (AB 413, Lee): This bill prohibits stopping, standing, or parking a vehicle within 20 feet of any unmarked or marked crosswalk to increase visibility and reduce potentially lethal collisions.

Climate-First Transportation Planning (AB 7, Friedman) This bill requires state transportation agencies to incorporate the principles of the Climate Action Plan for Transportation Infrastructure (CAPTI) and the federal Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act in the project selection and implementation process.

Safe Sidewalk Riding (AB 825, Bryan): Part of CalBike’s Biking Is Not a Crime slate, this measure allows bicycle riding on a sidewalk adjacent to a street that does not include a Class I, Class II, or Class IV bikeway. It protects pedestrians by requiring people on bikes to share the space responsibly and imposing a 10 mph speed limit on bikes.

Free Transit for Youth Pilot (AB 610, Holden): The concept of giving free transit passes to young people is gaining momentum and it’s a great way to give young people low-carbon mobility, support our transit agencies, and help young people build the habit of taking transit. A similar measure passed the legislature in 2022 but was vetoed by the governor.

CalBike Response to May Revise

May 16, 2023/by Kevin Claxton

For Immediate Release: May 16, 2023

Contact: Jared Sanchez, Policy Director, (714) 262-0921, jared@calbike.org

Governor’s May 2023 Budget Revise Continues Cuts to Active Transportation

Sacramento, CA – Governor Gavin Newsom’s “May Revise” of the state’s July 2023-June 2024 budget fails to provide the funding needed to support biking, walking, and public transit. The governor claims to include $1.4 billion for active transportation projects. However, the budget maintains a major reduction to the Active Transportation Program and falls severely short of what’s needed to stem the emission-driven global climate crisis.

The governor’s May budget is a missed opportunity to allocate the funding California needs to build an equitable transportation system and achieve our state’s climate goals. California needs to move quickly to make biking easier — and Newsom’s proposed budget just isn’t enough to build the needed bike infrastructure to significantly reduce automobile vehicle miles traveled and the associated greenhouse gas emissions. Walkable, bikeable communities offer the biggest return on investment among transportation solutions to the climate crisis. The budget’s $9 billion agenda for zero-emission vehicles (ZEVs) is a misguided effort to curb climate change that will ultimately fall short. We must think beyond increasing motor vehicle traffic and expanding the freeway system to support it, and instead build a low-carbon future based around walkable, bikeable communities.

What is missing in the budget?

E-Bike funding

The California Bicycle Coalition has been tracking interest in the new Electric Bicycle Incentive Project, administered by the California Air Resources Board. The governor’s budget doesn’t include funding to continue this popular and vital electric vehicle incentive.

CalBike has received interest from more than 17,000 Californians who want to participate in EBIP. Based on the $7.5 million currently available through the program after administration, education, and outreach costs, the pilot will offer between 3,000 and 7,000 vouchers. Because the program only has a fraction of the funding it needs to meet the demand, CalBike expects funds to be exhausted very quickly, leaving many low-income Californians without resources to get the transportation they need.

In a letter signed by a coalition of environmental groups, CalBike has requested $50 million for e-bike incentives in the next budget.

“The California Electric Bicycle Incentive Project offers a huge bang for the buck being spent to reduce the state’s climate pollution. Expanding this program will provide more equitable access to clean transportation and help the state meet our climate goals. It’s a win-win,” said Jared Sanchez, Policy Director, CalBike.

Complete Streets funding

California should invest much more in active transportation projects that build complete bikeway networks — no more bike lanes to nowhere or bikeways made unsafe by impassable intersections. This should include funding for a program that rewards cities whose leaders quickly install protected networks that create true active transportation grids. It’s particularly crucial that these bike networks connect bike infrastructure to local destinations, including offices, schools, and shopping areas.

Investments in disadvantaged communities

In our racialized economy, Black and brown Californians are disproportionately affected by inflation and need better, more affordable mobility options. In addition, many communities of color suffer from decades of disinvestment and should be prioritized for new active transportation investments. As inflation hits Californians hard, safe biking is a lifeline to millions of Californians who can’t afford to fill their gas tanks without sacrificing other priorities, like healthy food and secure housing.

What happens next?

The legislature will now revise the governor’s proposal and negotiate with him on a final budget for approval by June 15. There are many fantastic bills in the legislature this year that will make our streets safer. The budget needs to include enough active transportation funding to pay for these excellent pilot projects and meet the demand of ongoing programs across the state.

CalBike’s Invest/Divest campaign

At CalBike, we believe California should devote a minimum of 50% of its transportation budget to support active transportation: biking, walking, public transit, and Complete Streets infrastructure. The CalBike Invest/Divest campaign aims to shift California’s transportation spending from our current traffic-inducing, climate-killing system to sustainable mobility options, equitable treatment of all road users regardless of race, and a transportation future where it is easier and safer for more people to get around by biking, walking, or using public transportation.

Coalition Requests $50M E-Bike Funding

April 27, 2023/by Laura McCamy

For Immediate Release: 4/27/23

Contact: Laura McCamy, CalBike | 510-214-6156, laura@calbike.org

Clean Air and Active Transportation Groups Seek $50M for CA E-Bike Program

Sacramento, CA – Today, a coalition of environmental, public health, and active transportation organizations have sent a letter to California state budget leadership requesting an additional $50M for the California Air Resources Board’s Electric Bicycle Incentive Project. The coalition argues this funding will “…help the state transition to clean transportation in order to meet its ambitious climate goals.”

The coalition submitting this request includes: Active San Gabriel Valley, California Bicycle Coalition, Coalition for Clean Air, Environment California, Safe Routes Partnership, and the San Francisco Bay Area Planning and Urban Research Association (SPUR).

E-Bikes: A Great Climate Investment for California

Callifornians are eager to begin replacing car trips with e-bike trips. The conversion of Vehicle Miles Traveled (VMT) from auto to active transportation can dramatically improve air quality for children and the elderly in our polluted cities. It’s also a climate-transportation win-win.

“The Coalition for Clean Air is proud to be a part of a coalition advocating to increase funding for the Electric Bicycle Incentive Project. We believe this program will reduce greenhouse gas and air pollutant emissions, lower VMT, promote equity, and improve quality of life for Californians if properly administered and funded,” said Sofia Rafikova, Policy Advocate at the Coalition for Clean Air.

The Electric Bicycle Incentive Project, run by CARB, the letter explains, “…is modeled after similar programs across the country, this program will award at-point-of-purchase vouchers to low-income Californians to reduce the costs of purchasing an electric bicycle.…This program ensures that these benefits only apply to those who need them the most and that the vouchers successfully incentivize the switch from driving to using electric bicycles, thus, reducing the amount of greenhouse gas and air pollutant emissions coming from the transportation sector.”

More Funding Needed

The California Bicycle Coalition has been curating an e-bike incentive interest list that currently has over 16,000 members. Based on the $7.5M currently available through the EBIP program after administration, education, and outreach costs, the pilot program to be between 3,000 and 7,000 vouchers. Because the program only has a fraction of the funding it needs to meet the demand, the coalition letter warns, “…the funding for the program could run out just a few days after its launch.”

“The California Electric Bicycle Incentive Project offers a huge bang-for-the-buck being spent to reduce the state’s climate pollution. Expanding this program will provide more equitable access to clean transportation and help the state meet our climate goals. It’s a double win,” said Jared Sanchez, Policy Director, CalBike.

“The Electric Bike Incentive Program (EBIP) will enable low-income Californians to travel more conveniently and sustainably, in addition to drastically reducing emissions from gas-powered cars. The state should expand this program and make it recurring to meet the overwhelming demand for electric bike incentives,” said Jack Barber, Campaign Associate, Environment California

More Info:
Why E-Bikes Could Change Everything: Cities take on transportation’s whopping carbon footprint – Sierra Magazine, October 2022
E-Bike Purchase Incentives FAQs – CalBike, April 2023