BILL NUMBER: AB 478	INTRODUCED
	BILL TEXT


INTRODUCED BY   Assembly Member Wolk

                        FEBRUARY 20, 2007

   An act to amend Section 21201 of the Vehicle Code, relating to
vehicles.



	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   AB 478, as introduced, Wolk. Vehicles: bicycle safety.
   (1) The Vehicle Code regulates the safe operation of bicycles on
highways and roadways. Operation of a bicycle upon a highway, during
darkness, requires the use of an illuminated lamp and certain
specified reflecting devices. It is a crime to violate any provision
of the Vehicle Code.
   This bill would expand the places where the operator of a bicycle
is required to use an illuminated lamp and certain specified
reflecting devices to shared use pathways, as defined. The bill would
expand the requirement that the operator of the bicycle have
reflectors on each pedal to include the option of having reflectors
on his or her shoes or ankles.
   Because this bill would create a new crime, this bill would impose
a state-mandated local program.
   (2) The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse
local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the
state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that
reimbursement.
   This bill would provide that no reimbursement is required by this
act for a specified reason.
   Vote: majority. Appropriation: no. Fiscal committee: yes.
State-mandated local program: yes.


THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:

  SECTION 1.  Section 21201 of the Vehicle Code is amended to read:
   21201.  (a) No person shall operate a bicycle on a roadway unless
it is equipped with a brake which will enable the operator to make
one braked wheel skid on dry, level, clean pavement.
   (b) No person shall operate on the highway  any 
 a bicycle equipped with handlebars so raised that the
operator must elevate his hands above the level of his shoulders in
order to grasp the normal steering grip area.
   (c) No person shall operate upon  any   a
 highway a bicycle  which is of such a size as to
prevent   that is of a size that prevents  the
operator from safely stopping the bicycle, supporting it in an
upright position with at least one foot on the ground, and restarting
it in a safe manner. 
   (d) Every bicycle operated upon any highway during darkness shall
be equipped (1) with a lamp emitting a white light which, while the
bicycle is in motion, illuminates the highway in front of the
bicyclist and is visible from a distance of 300 feet in front and
from the sides of the bicycle; (2) with a red reflector on the rear
which shall be visible from a distance of 500 feet to the rear when
directly in front of lawful upper beams of headlamps on a motor
vehicle; (3) with a white or yellow reflector on each pedal visible
from the front and rear of the bicycle from a distance of 200 feet;
and (4) with a white or yellow reflector on each side forward of the
center of the bicycle, and with a white or red reflector on each side
to the rear of the center of the bicycle, except that bicycles which
are equipped with reflectorized tires on the front and the rear need
not be equipped with these side reflectors. Such reflectors and
reflectorized tires shall be of a type meeting requirements
established by the department.  
   (d)  A bicycle operated upon a highway or a shared use pathway
during darkness shall be equipped with all of the following: 

   (1) A lamp emitting a white light that, while the bicycle is in
motion, illuminates the highway or shared use pathway in front of the
bicyclist and is visible from a distance of 300 feet in front and
from the sides of the bicycle.  
   (2) A red reflector on the rear that shall be visible from a
distance of 500 feet to the rear when directly in front of lawful
upper beams of headlamps on a motor vehicle.  
   (3) A white or yellow reflector on each pedal, shoe, or ankle
visible from the front and rear of the bicycle from a distance of 200
feet.  
   (4) A white or yellow reflector on each side forward of the center
of the bicycle, and a white or red reflector on each side to the
rear of the center of the bicycle, except that bicycles that are
equipped with reflectorized tires on the front and the rear need not
be equipped with these side reflectors.  
   The reflectors and reflectorized tires shall be of a type meeting
requirements established by the department. 
   (e) A lamp or lamp combination, emitting a white light, attached
to the operator and visible from a distance of 300 feet in front and
from the sides of the bicycle, may be used in lieu of the lamp
required by  clause   paragraph  (1) of
subdivision (d). 
   (f) For purposes of this section, "shared use pathway" means a
pathway that bicycles share with vehicles, pedestrians, or both.

  SEC. 2.  No reimbursement is required by this act pursuant to
Section 6 of Article XIII B of the California Constitution because
the only costs that may be incurred by a local agency or school
district will be incurred because this act creates a new crime or
infraction, eliminates a crime or infraction, or changes the penalty
for a crime or infraction, within the meaning of Section 17556 of the
Government Code, or changes the definition of a crime within the
meaning of Section 6 of Article XIII B of the California
Constitution.