BILL NUMBER: AB 134 CHAPTERED 09/01/99 CHAPTER 277 FILED WITH SECRETARY OF STATE SEPTEMBER 1, 1999 APPROVED BY GOVERNOR AUGUST 31, 1999 PASSED THE SENATE AUGUST 19, 1999 PASSED THE ASSEMBLY MAY 25, 1999 AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY MAY 10, 1999 AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY APRIL 29, 1999 AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY MARCH 4, 1999 INTRODUCED BY Assembly Member Thomson (Coauthor: Senator Perata) JANUARY 7, 1999 An act to amend Section 39004 of, to amend, repeal, and add Section 21450 of, and to add and repeal Sections 21456.2 and 21456.3 of, the Vehicle Code, relating to transportation. LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST AB 134, Thomson. Transportation: bicycles. (1) Existing law requires lights shown by official traffic control signals to apply to drivers of vehicles and pedestrians. This bill, until January 1, 2005, would apply color-lighted bicycle symbols, as specified in the bill, shown by official traffic control signals, to the above provisions. The bill would authorize those bicycle signals to be used only at locations that meet specified standards adopted by the Department of Transportation. The bill also, until January 1, 2005, would include operators of bicycles within the scope of the provisions. Because this bill would expand the scope of an existing crime, the bill would impose a state-mandated local program. (2) Existing law allows cities and counties to adopt ordinances or resolutions governing the licensing and registration of bicycles. Existing law sets forth a fee schedule for license and registration certificates. This bill would double the amounts on the fee schedule for license and registration certificates. (3) 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. THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS: SECTION 1. Section 21450 of the Vehicle Code is amended to read: 21450. (a) Whenever traffic is controlled by official traffic control signals showing different colored lights, color-lighted arrows, or color-lighted bicycle symbols, successively, one at a time, or in combination, only the colors green, yellow, and red shall be used, except for pedestrian control signals, and those lights shall indicate and apply to drivers of vehicles, operators of bicycles, and pedestrians as provided in this chapter. (b) This section shall remain in effect only until January 1, 2005, and as of that date is repealed, unless a later enacted statute, that is enacted before January 1, 2005, deletes or extends that date. SEC. 1.5. Section 21450 is added to the Vehicle Code, to read: 21450. (a) Whenever traffic is controlled by official traffic control signals showing different colored lights, or colored lighted arrows, successively, one at a time, or in combination, only the colors green, yellow, and red shall be used, except for pedestrian control signals, and those lights shall indicate and apply to drivers of vehicles and pedestrians as provided in this chapter. (b) This section shall become operative on January 1, 2005. SEC. 2. Section 21456.2 is added to the Vehicle Code, to read: 21456.2. (a) Unless otherwise directed by a bicycle signal as provided in Section 21456.3, an operator of a bicycle shall obey the provisions of this article applicable to the driver of a vehicle. (b) Whenever an official traffic control signal exhibiting different colored bicycle symbols is shown concurrently with official traffic control signals exhibiting different colored lights or arrows, an operator of a bicycle facing those traffic control signals shall obey the bicycle signals as provided in Section 21456.3. (c) This section shall remain in effect only until January 1, 2005, and as of that date is repealed, unless a later enacted statute, that is enacted before January 1, 2005, deletes or extends that date. SEC. 3. Section 21456.3 is added to the Vehicle Code, to read: 21456.3. (a) An operator of a bicycle facing a green bicycle signal shall proceed straight through or turn right or left or make a U-turn unless a sign prohibits a U-turn. An operator of a bicycle, including one turning, shall yield the right-of-way to other traffic and to pedestrians lawfully within the intersection or an adjacent crosswalk. (b) An operator of a bicycle facing a steady yellow bicycle signal is, by that signal, warned that the related green movement is ending or that a red indication will be shown immediately thereafter. (c) Except as provided in subdivision (d), an operator of a bicycle facing a steady red bicycle signal shall stop at a marked limit line, but if none, before entering the crosswalk on the near side of the intersection, or, if none, then before entering the intersection, and shall remain stopped until an indication to proceed is shown. (d) Except when a sign is in place prohibiting a turn, an operator of a bicycle, after stopping as required by subdivision (c), facing a steady red bicycle signal, may turn right, or turn left from a one-way street onto a one-way street. An operator of a bicycle making a turn shall yield the right-of-way to pedestrians lawfully within an adjacent crosswalk and to traffic lawfully using the intersection. (e) A bicycle signal may be used only at those locations that meet geometric standards or traffic volume standards, or both, as adopted by the Department of Transportation. (f) This section shall remain in effect only until January 1, 2005, and as of that date is repealed unless a later enacted statute, that is enacted before January 1, 2005, deletes or extends that date. SEC. 4. Section 39004 of the Vehicle Code is amended to read: 39004. Each licensing agency, by ordinance or resolution, may adopt rules and regulations for the collection of license fees. Revenues from license fees shall be retained by the licensing city or county and shall be used for the support of such bicycle ordinance or resolution, and may be used to reimburse retailers for services rendered. In addition, fees collected shall be used to improve bicycle safety programs and establish bicycle facilities, including bicycle paths and lanes, within the limits of the jurisdiction. The fees required to be paid pursuant to this division are as follows: (a) For each new bicycle license and registration certificate, the sum shall not exceed four dollars ($4) per year or any portion thereof. (b) For each transfer of registration certificate, the sum shall not exceed two dollars ($2). (c) For each replacement of a bicycle license or registration certificate, the sum shall not exceed two dollars ($2). (d) For each bicycle license renewal, the sum shall not exceed two dollars ($2) per year. SEC. 5. No reimbursement is required by this act pursuant to Section 6 of Article XIIIB 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 XIIIB of the California Constitution.