BILL ANALYSIS
AB 1464
Page 1
CONCURRENCE IN SENATE AMENDMENTS
AB 1464 (Smyth)
As Amended June 30, 2009
Majority vote
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|ASSEMBLY: |74-1 |(May 21, 2009) |SENATE: |35-0 |(August 17, |
| | | | | |2009) |
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Original Committee Reference: TRANS .
SUMMARY : Authorizes the Department of Transportation (Caltrans)
to establish a process for identifying and promoting bicycle
routes of national, state, or regional significance.
The Senate amendments make technical, non-substantive changes
that add that bicycle routes in addition to having state and
regional significance will also have national significance.
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.
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
AB 1464
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agency.
AS PASSED BY THE ASSEMBLY , this bill is substantially similar to
the version passed by the Senate.
FISCAL EFFECT : According to the Assembly Appropriations
Committee, minor absorbable administrative costs to the extent
Caltrans implements this bill's provisions and minor costs,
fully reimbursed, to install the bicycle route signs.
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."
Analysis Prepared by : Alejandro Esparza / TRANS. / (916)
319-2093
FN: 0001939