California Assembly Bill AB819 Amended / Bill

 BILL NUMBER: AB 819AMENDED BILL TEXT AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY MARCH 31, 2011 INTRODUCED BY Assembly Member Wieckowski FEBRUARY 17, 2011  An act relating to bicycles.   An act to amend Section 890.4 of the Streets and Highways Code, relating to bikeways.  LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST AB 819, as amended, Wieckowski.  Bicycles.   Bikeways.   Existing law requires the Department of Transportation, in cooperation with county and city governments, to establish minimum safety design criteria for the planning and construction of bikeways, and authorizes cities, counties, and local agencies to establish bikeways. Existing law defines 3 classes of bikeways for its purposes.   This bill would include a class IV bikeway among the bikeways subject to the above provisions and would define a class IV bikeway to include a segregated bike lane which provides exclusive use of bicycles on streets, as specified.   Existing law provides that every person riding a bicycle upon a highway has all the rights applicable to the driver of a vehicle and is subject to specified provisions in the Vehicle Code, including the rules of the road and specified equipment requirements. Existing law also governs minimum safety design criteria for the planning and construction of bikeways and roadways where bicycle travel is permitted.  This bill would declare the intent of the Legislature to enact legislation relating to bicycle lanes and transportation, as specified.  Vote: majority. Appropriation: no. Fiscal committee:  no   yes  . State-mandated local program: no. THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:  SECTION 1.   Section 890.4 of the   Streets and Highways Code   is amended to read:  890.4. As used in this article, "bikeway" means all facilities that provide primarily for bicycle travel. For purposes of this article, bikeways shall be categorized as follows: (a) Class I bikeways, such as a "bike path," which provide a completely separated right-of-way designated for the exclusive use of bicycles and pedestrians with crossflows by motorists minimized. (b) Class II bikeways, such as a "bike lane," which provide a restricted right-of-way designated for the exclusive or semiexclusive use of bicycles with through travel by motor vehicles or pedestrians prohibited, but with vehicle parking and crossflows by pedestrians and motorists permitted. (c) Class III bikeways, such as an onstreet or offstreet "bike route," which provide a right-of-way designated by signs or permanent markings and shared with pedestrians or motorists.  (d) Class IV bikeways, such as "segregated bike lanes," which provide a completely separated right-of-way designated for the exclusive use of bicycles on streets and are demarcated by either a physical barrier or by distinct paint markings, or both, to minimize or prevent travel by motor vehicles.   SECTION 1.   (a) It is the intent of the Legislature to enact legislation that would improve the safety and efficiency of bicycle lane traffic in the State of California. (b) It is further the intent of the Legislature that would enact legislation to promote the use of bicycles as preferred alternative modes of transportation in our communities.