Bicyclists traveling slower than the flow of traffic must ride in a bike lane or to the far right on roads without a bike lane. But when approaching a vehicle stopped ahead in the traffic lane, state law requires a bicyclist to pass on the left side in most situations. That requires leaving the bike lane or shoulder and entering the traffic lane, even though passing on the right is often more consistent with where most bicyclists ride and sometimes might even be safer.

Starting next January, bicyclists can legally pass on the right thanks to the governor's signature on a package of technical changes to state law relating to transportation. Among other provisions, the so-called "omnibus" bill authored by the Senate Transportation & Housing Committee amends the California Vehicle Code's provision that allows for passing on the right  under limited circumstances by clarifying that it does not prohibit the use of a bicycle in a bicycle lane or on a shoulder.

The San Francisco Bicycle Coalition championed the reform, which was named as an action item in the 2009 SF Bicycle Plan.

LEMONS INTO LEMONADE: The Legislature has approved a bill to allow cities and counties to require driver's licenses for pedicab operators. Concerned about the implications of licensing bicyclists, which is not allowed under current state law, bike advocates successfully pointed out that the California driver's test only covers the operation of motor vehicles, not pedicabs. So the bill awaiting the governor's signature also contains the option of requiring pedicab operators to show proof of completion of a certified bike safety course in lieu of a driver's license.

MORE LEMONADE: Two bills authorizing Amador County and the City of Fresno to develop plans for allowing neighborhood electric vehicles to use streets with speed limits over 35 MPH are headed to the governor. Neither bill would prevent such plans from forcing bicycles and NEVs to share a separate, segregated lane - a type of lane already in use under the Lincoln, Calif., NEV plan - so CBC and other bike advocates pushed through amendments that require both plans to be reviewed by the California Traffic Control Devices Committee within Caltrans. The committee sets statewide standards for traffic signs, signals and other pavement markings such as traffic lanes.

CLEARING THE AIR: Despite an 11th-hour campaign by construction, highway and oil interests to discredit its hearing process, the California Air Resources Board voted unanimously last week to adopt targets for reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 2020 and 2035. The board acted under SB 375, California's landmark 2008 anti-sprawl legislation that calls for integration of planning for transportation, land use and housing, with the goal of reducing driving distances and associated greenhouse gas emissions. Implementation of SB 375 ultimately will make it easier for more Californians to choose to travel by bicycle, on foot or via public transit.

PHOTO CREDITS: (top) CNN, (above) Treehugger.com

Defying predictions that many bike commuters would go back to driving after sky-high gas prices fell in 2009, the League of American Bicyclists reports that bike commuting rates in the U.S. held steady at 0.55 percent overall.

Among the 70 largest U.S. cities, bike commuting rates rose 9% from 2008 to 2009. The biggest overall gain - 28% - came from the 39 cities that have not sought the League's Bicycle Friendly Community designation. There was a 1% increase in the 31 BFC cities, where bike commuting rates are already as much as four times greater than in other cities. In San Francisco and Oakland, the two California cities ranked among the nation's top-10 bike commuting cities, the percentage of people riding to work jumped 10% and 18% respectively from 2008 to 2009.

The League's report, just out this week, also explains why census and other survey tools typically undercount the number of people who commute by bicycle.

Rails-to-Trails challenges AAA's call for funding cuts

The Rails-to-Trails Conservancy is rallying bicycling and walking advocates to challenge AAA's call this summer to redirect federal funding for biking and walking facilities back into the federal highway system.

In an editorial, Don Gagnon, president and CEO of AAA Mid-Atlantic, blamed the $89 billion annual highway fund shortfall on federal investments that have helped build 19,000 miles of bicycle and pedestrian trails and sidewalks across the U.S. Instead, Gagnon proposed directing the total amount spent on those projects - less than $1 billion - back into federal highway system. Earlier this year AAA Mid-Atlantic denounced the installation of bike lanes on Pennsylvania Ave. in Washington D.C.

Rails-to-Trails has called on AAA for an explanation and also circulated a petition urging AAA to step back from its position.

Gen Y + cell phones = less driving?

This month a New York Times green transportation blogger floated an intriguing idea: Could the decline in miles driven by the under-30 Generation Y reflect the growing influence of cell phone technology? Congregating physically with the help of a car may not be so important in an age when nearly continual social contact is possible via text messaging and cell phone, writes Jim Motavalli. Greater concern for the environmental costs and financial challenges of driving may also explain the decline in driving and car ownership among Americans under 30.

PHOTO CREDITS: (top) San Francisco Chronicle,  (above) Lendingtree.com