BILL ANALYSIS
AB 1464
Page 1
Date of Hearing: April 27, 2009
ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION
Mike Eng, Chair
AB 1464 (Smyth) - As Amended: April 16, 2009
SUBJECT : California Bicycle Routes of State or Regional
Significance Act.
SUMMARY : Authorizes the Department of Transportation (Caltrans)
to establish a process for identifying and promoting bicycle
routes of state or regional significance. Specifically, this
bill :
1)Authorizes Caltrans, through its statewide bicycle planning
process, to establish a process for identifying and promoting
bicycle routes of state or regional significance.
2)Provides that in designating routes, Caltrans may consider the
following:
a) Historic routes;
b) Established training routes or race routes, including
legs of the Amgen Tour of California; and,
c) Routes of unique scenic significance.
3)Provides that in identifying bicycle routes of state or
regional significance, Caltrans may work with the California
Travel and Tourism Commission, the Department of Parks and
Recreation, federal agencies that operate and maintain
roadways for public use, statewide trade organizations,
including the California Chamber of Commerce and the
California Bicycle Coalition, local tourism entities, chambers
of commerce, and local bicycle organizations.
4)Provides that Caltrans may form an advisory committee to help
implement the provisions of this bill.
5)Provides that Caltrans may establish a process whereby local
bicycle organizations, private entities, or local government
entities may nominate a route for inclusion in the system of
bicycle routes of state or regional significance.
AB 1464
Page 2
6)Provides that Caltrans may develop criteria for the design,
placement, and installation of signs relative to bicycle
routes of state or regional significance.
7)Provides that it is the intent of the Legislature that city or
county participation in establishing local routes of
significance is voluntary, similar to the State Scenic Highway
Program.
8)Provides that Caltrans may install bicycle route signs that
identify bicycle routes of state or regional significance that
are associated only with the state highway system, which
includes state highways, United States highways, interstate
freeways, and state-financed public transportation systems.
9)Provides that the physical placement of bicycle route signs on
all other roads and transit systems is to be left to the
appropriate local jurisdiction.
10)Provides that, when requested by a city or county and
reimbursed, Caltrans will place bicycle route signs on the
state highway system and state-financed public transportation
systems that direct traffic to bicycle routes on city or
county roads.
11)Provides that bicycle route signs are to meet the standards
and specifications established under existing law but are not
to be classified as traffic control devices.
12)Declares the positive economic, environmental, and tourism
effects that cycling has to California.
EXISTING LAW :
1)Requires Caltrans, in cooperation with county and city
governments to establish minimum safety design criteria for
the planning and construction of bikeways and roadways where
bicycle travel is permitted.
2)Provides that bikeway criteria is to include, but not be
limited to, the design speed of the facility, minimum widths
and clearances, grade, radius of curvature, pavement surface,
actuation of automatic traffic control devices, drainage, and
general safety. The criteria shall be updated biennially, or
more often, as needed.
AB 1464
Page 3
3)Requires Caltrans to establish uniform specifications and
symbols for signs, markers, and traffic control devices to
designate bikeways, regulate traffic, improve safety, and
convenience for bicyclists, and alert pedestrians and
motorists of the presence of bicyclists on bikeways and on
roadways where bicycle travel is permitted.
4)Provides that a city or county that has prepared a bicycle
transportation plan, may submit the plan to the county
transportation commission or transportation planning agency
for approval and apply for funds on behalf of that local
agency.
FISCAL EFFECT : Unknown
COMMENTS : According to the author, "bicycle-related
transactions resulted in nearly $1 billion in sales in
California last year, creating and sustaining jobs and
generating tax revenues to support state and local economies.
Cycling tourism is a growing industry and many states have
already invested considerable resources to attract cycling
tourism. California should be attempting to attract its share
of the cycling tourism market. "
The author adds that this bill "is not intended to place a
financial burden on Caltrans, but rather to encourage the
participation of the non-profit sector in the establishment of
goals and raising funds to cover the cost of signage. Caltrans
role in adopting legacy trails would be simply advisory."
Suggested committee amendment : The author's intent of assigning
or designating financial responsibility for the program is
unclear. To address this issue, the committee recommends that
it be specified that the "cost to purchase, erect, and maintain
bicycle route signs shall be borne by applicants or nominating
entities. These costs shall be reimbursed to the department at
their actual cost plus administrative expenses."
Moreover, if a bicycle route sign becomes damaged, vandalized,
or is missing, the department shall not be required to replace
it without compensation from an applicant or the fund.
REGISTERED SUPPORT / OPPOSITION :
AB 1464
Page 4
Support
None on file
Opposition
None on file
Analysis Prepared by : Alejandro Esparza / TRANS. / (916)
319-2093