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things CBC is doing,
1. Sponsoring legislation to provide adequate state funding to help make bicycling safer for everyone.
2. Lobbying for passage of the Complete Streets Act, which will ensure that local streets and roadways are designed to accommodate the needs of everyone who uses them.
3. Working with Caltrans to incorporate Complete Streets principles into planning guidelines for all state roadway projects.
4. Building stronger relationships between Caltrans and local bicycle advocates.
5. Educating the public about the health benefits of riding bicycles for transportation.
6. Promoting bicycling as a simple, reliable and affordable resource in California's fight again global warming.
7. Encouraging Californians to bike to work.
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| Legislation |
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Bicycle safety funding bill passes Assembly
Assembly Bill 2971, CBC's Fair Share for Safety bill, is headed to the Senate following a largely party-line vote on May 28 by the full Assembly.
Bicyclists and pedestrians account for 20 percent of fatalities in vehicle collisions in California, yet far less than 20 percent of state transportation safety funds go toward preventing these deaths. Authored by Assembly Transportation Committee Chair Mark DeSaulnier, the bill would require Caltrans to allocate federal safety funding in proportion to the state's vehicle collision fatality statistics.
In response to concerns raised in the Assembly Appropriations Committee, the language that would have required proportional spending was removed. However, "Caltrans sees the importance of this issue," says CBC Legislative Committee Chair Stephan Vance. "This bill has given CBC an opportunity to have serious and productive discussions with Caltrans about how they allocate transportation safety funds. I think this legislation could to lead to real changes."
Meanwhile, CBC has lent its support to AB 2784, authored by Los Angeles-area Assembly Member Mike Feuer. The bill would enable drivers convicted of drunk driving to install an ignition locking device in their cars instead of receiving a restricted driver's license, as currently required. The device tests for alcohol on a driver's breath, and prevents the car from being started if the driver's blood alcohol level is too high. These devices will help keep impaired drivers off the road, improving the safety of bicyclists and everyone else on the road.
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| California Bicycle Advisory Committee |
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In choosing sign, city questions "taking the lane"
When may a bicyclist use the full lane? And who decides? The California Bicycle Advisory Committee found itself trying to sort out the answers at its June 4 meeting in Sacramento. CBAC, whose vice-chair is CBC board member Jim Baross, advises Caltrans on bicycling issues.
Earlier this spring a bicyclist was killed by a passing cement truck on a narrow stretch of Highway 1 that runs through Santa Cruz as Mission Street. It was the second bicyclist fatality on the street in the past year.
On May 14 the Santa Cruz City Council recommended installing a "(BIKE) IN LANE" (BIL) warning sign on Mission Street in response to the accident, rejecting a Caltrans District 5 proposal to install a "(BIKE ) MAY USE FULL LANE" (BMUFL) regulatory sign. The council acted on legal advice that said the BMUFL sign was inappropriate, as the size of a passing vehicle, not a lane's width, determines when a bicycle and passing vehicle cannot safely travel side-by-side. The California Vehicle Code defines a "substandard lane" as one that "is too narrow for a bicycle and a vehicle to travel safety side by side within the lane," and makes no reference to vehicle width.
The California Traffic Control Devices Committee approved District 5's subsequent request to install the BIL sign on a trial basis, pending concurrence by CBAC. CBAC approved the sign's installation as the most expeditious - if not optimal - response to conditions on Mission Street. CBAC also asked Caltrans to add the BMUFL sign to the California Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices.
Additionally, CBAC asked Caltrans to seek a legal opinion - ideally from the California Attorney General - about whether and when California law supports the use of the BMUFL sign. The answer is crucial for CBC, California Association of Bicycling Organizations and League of American Bicyclists, which teach bicyclists how and when to "take the lane" when conditions make it unsafe to travel side-by-side with a passing vehicle. |
| Safe Routes to School National Partnership |
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$46M available for Federal SRTS projects
July 18, 2008, is the deadline to apply for funds available from Caltrans for Federal Safe Routes to School (SRTS) projects (SRTS Cycle 2). These funds are not to be confused with the State Legislated Safe Routes to School (SR2S) funds.
There are two types of applications available for SRTS Cycle 2: stand-alone infrastructure projects (sidewalks, pathways, bike lanes, traffic calming, etc.) or non-infrastructure activities (education, encouragement and enforcement). All project awards are 100% federally reimbursable. Applications for infrastructure must not exceed $1 million, and applications for non-infrastructure must not exceed $500,000 (and can be spent on activities over a four year period).
State, local or regional government agencies are encouraged to apply. Non-traditional applicants such as school districts, nonprofit organizations, health/education departments, federally recognized Native American Tribes and hospitals are required to partner with a city, county, Metropolitan Planning Organization or Regional Transportation Planning Agency who will serve as the responsible agency for that non-traditional applicant.
Approximately $46 million is available for two fiscal years worth of projects (08-09 and 09-10). The deadline for applications is Friday, July 18, 2008. Start preparing your grant applications now as the deadline is about a month away.
View the updated SRTS Guidelines and Application here.
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| CBC News |
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Pedal Power 2008
Twenty-five advocates and bicycle industry representatives from around California came to the State Capitol last month to take part in CBC's 4th annual Pedal Power legislative advocacy training and lobbying days, April 30-May 1.
Training on the first day featured remarks by Assembly
Transportation Committee Chair Mark DeSaulnier, author of AB 2971, CBC's Fair Share for Safety bill, Assembly Members Mark Leno, author of AB 1358, CBC's Complete Streets bill, and Cameron Smyth, who has carried CBC legislation, as well as presentations by legislative and committee staff. Assembly Transportation Committee consultant Carrie Cornwell shared her insider's view on the high value of letters from advocates in influencing legislation.
On both days advocates also held scheduled meetings with legislators to discuss local issues of concern as well as the CBC legislative agenda. Most reported positive and productive discussions with legislators and legislative staff.
Pedal Power 2009 is tentatively scheduled for April 28-29, 2009.
California Bike Commute Week
CBC's K.C. Butler and Jim Brown took part in the California Bikefest at the State Capitol on May 15 to mark Bike to Work day in the Sacramento region. The event included dozens of exhibits by local and regional agencies and nonprofits, and bike shops, as well as remarks by Caltrans Director Will Kempton, K.C. Butler, and local officials. In addition to hosting an exhibit, CBC donated two Breezer commuter bicycles as giveaway prizes.
On May 18, CBC's Stephan Vance represented CBC at the Urban Bicycle Commuter Expo in Pasadena. Co-sponsored by CICLE (Cyclists Inciting Change through Living Exchange), the City of Pasadena, and the One Colorado retail complex, the event featured exhibits, presentations and activities. | |
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