BILL NUMBER: AB 819	AMENDED
	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.