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CalBike’s blog — sharing the biking news you need to know
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Stay informed about the bicycling movement in California by reading this blog and subscribing to our monthly newsletter, the CalBike Report. Keep apprised of which bills we are supporting with our Legislative Watch page, which we update regularly.
Tell Governor Newsom: Decriminalize Fare Evasion
/by Jared SanchezFare evasion sounds criminal, but it often isn’t. It could be as simple as someone tapping their Clipper Card on the bus and not realizing it didn’t register. And enforcement often disproportionately affects riders of color. As a recent Streetsblog piece pointed out, fare evasion has a greater penalty than speeding, which has tickets but […]
Daylighting to Save Lives: Ask Governor to Sign AB 413
/by Jared SanchezNote: This post was updated on 9/25/23. It passed the legislature and now awaits the governor’s signature. Thank you to Streets for All for the graphics. When drivers park cars and trucks right up to a crosswalk line, it reduces visibility for vehicles approaching the crosswalk. Drivers are more likely to hit people walking or […]
Active Transportation Slate Goes to Governor
/by Brian SmithFor 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 […]
CalBike End-of-Session Legislative Recap 2023
/by Jared SanchezCalifornia’s legislators are done for the year; now it’s up to Governor Gavin Newsom which bills become law and which get vetoed. Newsom has until October 14 to sign or veto bills. If he takes no action, the bill becomes law. There are several noteworthy bills that will improve active transportation on the governor’s desk. […]
Why You Should Support E-Bikes, Even if You Don’t Ride One
/by Kendra RamseyE-bikes have grown in popularity over the past few years and are now the top-selling electric vehicle in the US. Along with their increased presence on California streets has come a backlash. While some of the ire has come from people driving cars who don’t want to share “their” streets with any kind of bike […]
Speed Kills: Addressing the Real Road Hazard
/by Kendra RamseyCities throughout California have taken steps to regulate e-bikes based on the belief that increased e-bike use is leading to collisions and dangerous conditions. These efforts ignore the real road hazard: speeding motor vehicle drivers. Reducing speeds on city streets is the best way to protect people biking and walking, especially those most vulnerable. A […]
Contribute to CalBike Complete Streets Research
/by Andrew WrightWhen most people think of Caltrans, we think of freeways. However, many California cities and towns have at least one major thoroughfare that is a numbered state route, and Caltrans is usually responsible for maintaining, repaving, and redesigning these streets. In the past, Caltrans hasn’t always followed its own policies to add Complete Streets features […]
Tell Assembly to Protect Bike Riders from Pretextual Traffic Stops
/by Jared SanchezWhen a police officer uses a traffic stop as cover to check for a more serious crime, that’s pretextual policing. Unfortunately, this type of enforcement does little to improve traffic safety and isn’t effective at reducing other types of crime. When police pull over bike riders for minor offenses, they disproportionately target Black and Latino […]
3 Active Transportation Bills to Watch this Week
/by Brian SmithFor 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 […]
Preventing E-Bike Battery Fires
/by Laura McCamyThis post was updated to correct some technical information. Thank you to PeopleForBikes for providing additional information about lithium batteries and safety certifications. E-bikes aren’t inherently dangerous on the road and may even be safer in some situations if the electric boost allows a rider to escape a dangerous traffic situation. Much of the current […]
Active Transportation Slate Hangs in Suspense in CA Senate
/by Jared SanchezAs we near the end of the legislative calendar, it’s crunch time for bills that aim to make biking and walking safer for all Californians. CalBike supports a slate of six bills currently in the Suspense File in the Senate Appropriations Committee. We only have until September 1, 2023, to move them forward, or these […]
What Is an E-Bike? A Guide to California E-Bike Classifications.
/by Kevin ClaxtonNote: This information was compiled in August of 2023. California laws and regulations are subject to change. Please consult the California Vehicle Code (CVC) sections governing e-bikes for the most up-to-date information. Some of the recent furor over the increased presence of e-bikes on California streets has centered on mobility devices sold as e-bikes that […]