For Immediate Release: September 4, 2019

Contact:

Dylan Lomanto, legislative aide to Assemblyman Rivas, (916) 319-2749, Dylan.Lomanto@asm.ca.gov

Dave Snyder, California Bicycle Coalition, (415) 216-7393, dave@calbike.org

AB 1266: Governor Signs Bill to Make Intersections Safer for Bicyclists

State Capitol, Sacramento, CA – Governor Gavin Newsom signed a bill today that will make it safer for bicycle riding in California at busy intersections. The bill requires Caltrans to develop a street marking or design that allows cyclists to go straight from a right or left turn lane and to safely cross outside of the high-traffic lanes.

“AB 1266 bill will make our roadways safer for everyone by matching street design with the already practiced, safe behavior of cyclists at busy intersections. I’m committed to making sure Californians have safe, healthy, and non-polluting transportation choices as we expand our efforts to combat climate change,” said Assemblymember Robert Rivas (D-Hollister).

“This bill authorizes a bicyclist to travel straight through a right or left-hand turn only lane and requires Caltrans to develop standards for lane striping, pavement marking, and appropriate regulatory signs to implement this bill. It will save lives,” said Dave Snyder, director of the California Bicycle Coalition.

About AB-1266 Traffic control devices: bicycles

Currently, cyclists approaching an intersection may thread the needle between the right-hand turn lane and the adjacent go-straight lane. However, legally, like cars, cyclists should proceed through an intersection in a go-straight lane and are prohibited from going through an intersection from the right-turn lane. Cyclists traveling in a bicycle lane that disappears, converting into a right-turn lane before an intersection, must merge left into the go-straight lane, proceed through the intersection, and then, if the bicycle lane resumes after the intersection, merge right back into the bicycle lane.

This bill will fix that problem by allowing bicyclists to cross intersections straight ahead from the relative safety of a right or left turn lane. This will be marked on the street or via sign, so all road users understand the rule.