BILL ANALYSIS
AB 652
Page 1
Date of Hearing: April 27, 2009
ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION
Mike Eng, Chair
AB 652 (Skinner) - As Introduced: February 25, 2009
SUBJECT : Public Transit Buses: bicycle rack
SUMMARY : Extends the length of a public bus, by four inches,
for a bike rack mounted on the front of it. The additional
length would allow for the use of bike racks that carry three
bikes. Specifically, this bill :
1)Authorizes a folding device that extends not more than 40
inches from the front body of the articulated bus or trolley,
or of a bus operated by a public agency or passenger stage
corporation, when the folding device is fully deployed to
permit the transportation of a bicycle with handlebars that
extend not more than 46 inches from the front of the vehicle.
2)Authorizes, for a bus operated by a public agency, the total
length of the bus, including the folding device or load, to
not exceed 48.8 feet.
EXISTING LAW:
1)Authorizes a public agency to operate a bus on the interstate
highways that exceeds 45 feet in length if the excess length
is caused by a folding device attached to the front of the bus
that is designed and used exclusively for transporting
bicycles, and if its operation is on a route approved by a
specific route review committee.
2)Imposes a 40-foot limitation on the length of vehicles that
may be operated on the highways, with specified exemptions.
Exempts from this limitation an articulated bus or trolley and
a bus, except a school bus, that is operated by a public
agency or passenger stage corporation that is used in a
transit system if it is equipped with a folding device
attached to the front of the vehicle that is designed and used
exclusively for transporting bicycles, does not materially
affect efficiency or visibility of vehicle safety equipment,
and does not extend more than 36 inches from the front of the
body of the bus or trolley when fully deployed. In addition,
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existing law prohibits a bicycle that is transported on the
above described device from having the bicycle handlebars
extend more than 42 inches from the front of the vehicle. For
a bus operated by a public agency and equipped with a folding
device attached to the front of the bus that is designed and
used exclusively for transporting bicycles, the total length
of the bus, including the folding device or load, is not to
exceed 48.5 feet.
FISCAL EFFECT : Unknown
COMMENTS : According to the author, "the California Vehicle Code
limits the length of vehicles that may be operated on highways,
including but not limited to mass transit busses. Current
transit operators, such as Alameda-Contra Costa Transit District
(AC Transit), fit their buses with bicycle racks in order to
facilitate bicycle commuters. Current bicycle racks can carry
up to two bicycles. Based on increased demand, however, transit
operators would like to upgrade to a 3-bicycle rack. The
3-bicycle rack would, when in use, cause the total length of the
bus to exceed the current length limit."
Writing in support of this bill, the California Transit
Association notes that "transit users often participate in
"mode-sharing," meaning that their entire trip may consist of
using more than one mode of transportation, such as using
transit for part of their trip and walking and/or bicycling for
the remaining part. In California, transit is more accessible
to many people through mode sharing. Therefore, the ability for
a transit bus to provide a place to safely store a bicycle
during a passenger's transit trip is essential to many users.
California's transit agencies seek always to remain in
compliance with California law while still serving their
communities as best as possible. Many transit systems would
currently benefit from the use of three-position bike racks
which attach to the transit bus to help accommodate more
bike-riding transit users. This bill would make it possible for
transit agencies to incorporate these bike racks into their bus
service without leading them to be out-of compliance with
current law which regulates total bus length."
Existing law establishes maximum length, width, height, and
weight limits for a variety of vehicles that are authorized to
operate on the state's roadways. These limitations have been
carefully considered by the Legislature and the pertinent
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traffic safety and enforcement agencies to promote and ensure
public safety and the efficient movement of traffic. The length
of a vehicle is one of the most important safety factors that
can significantly affect road performance because the longer the
length of the vehicle the more difficult it is for the operator
to negotiate turns, a condition commonly known as
"off-tracking," without encroaching into adjacent traffic lanes
and damaging street curbs and other road fixtures and possibly
compromising the safety of any passengers and other motorists.
The increase that this bill would permit in overall length may
result in an increased risk to the public because the turning
radius of these vehicles is already pushing the limits of street
and road design throughout the state. Furthermore, it should be
noted that due to the common use of these buses in highly
populated areas with a high amount of vehicle and foot traffic,
the added length (four inches) from the bicycle racks could
cause the increase in collisions with vehicles and pedestrians.
Author's Amendments : The author intends to amend this bill due
to issues raised by the Amalgamated Transit Union's bus drivers.
Accordingly, the amendment will restrict the applicability of
this bill to only AC Transit buses. Furthermore, if any of its
buses has a folding device installed, the amendment will require
AC Transit to submit a report to both transportation committees
of the Legislature on or before December 31, 2014, including
information that summarizes any accidents where the folding
device was a factor and also summarizes the mobility
improvements that the folding devices provide.
REGISTERED SUPPORT / OPPOSITION :
Support
Alameda-Contra Costa Transit District (sponsor)
American Lung Association of California
California Transit Association
East Bay Bicycle Coalition
Environmental Defense Fund
Foothill Transit
Natural Resources Defense Council
Planning and Conservation League
Sacramento Area Bicycle Coalition
Opposition
AB 652
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None on file
Analysis Prepared by : Ed Imai / TRANS. / (916) 319-2093