BILL ANALYSIS
SENATE TRANSPORTATION & HOUSING COMMITTEE BILL NO: sb 527
SENATOR ALAN LOWENTHAL, CHAIRMAN AUTHOR: kehoe
VERSION: 5/6/09
Analysis by: Jennifer Gress FISCAL: no
Hearing date: May 12, 2009
SUBJECT:
Bicycles without seats
DESCRIPTION:
This bill allows a person to operate a bicycle on a highway that
does not have a seat provided the bicycle was specifically
designed by the manufacturer to be ridden without a seat.
ANALYSIS:
The California Bicycle Advisory Commission (CBAC) is an advisory
committee formed by the California Department of Transportation
(Caltrans) in 1992 to provide guidance to the department on
bicycle issues. The committee is composed of 13 members who
represent various agencies and organizations, including the
California Highway Patrol, select city and regional
transportation agencies, and local bicycle coalitions.
Existing law prohibits a person from operating a bicycle and
from riding as a passenger on a bicycle upon a highway unless
the operator and passenger are "upon or astride a permanent and
regular seat attached thereto."
This bill allows a person to operate a bicycle upon a highway
without a seat provided the bicycle was specifically designed by
the manufacturer to be ridden without a seat.
COMMENTS:
1.Purpose . According to the author, legislation will be needed
pending the California Bicycle Advisory Committee's (CBAC)
review and approval of the seatless bicycle in early June.
SB 527 (KEHOE) Page 2
Should CBAC endorse the new bicycle technology, then the
definition in statute will need to be changed in order to
allow these newly classified bicycles to be operated upon a
public highway. The author believes this bicycle will appeal
to a broader group looking for alternative exercise and
recreational activities, as well as those seeking alternative
modes of transportation.
2.Background . This bill is sponsored by Elliptigo Incorporated,
which manufactures a bicycle that is intended to emulate
running and is, according to the manufacturer, "designed to be
safely and comfortably ridden in a standing position,
obviating the need for a seat." According to the product
description, this bicycle, named the "elliptiGO glide bike,"
is a "high-performance fitness device that provides an outdoor
running-like experience without the impact. Based on the
mechanics of the indoor elliptical trainer, the glide bike
uses a walking or running motion to propel oneself on a
two-wheeled platform that is similar to a bicycle. This
natural motion alleviates much of the discomfort of
conventional bicycles while enabling the rider to engage in a
low-impact, weight-bearing exercise outdoors."
While Elliptigo Incorporated sponsors this measure, it is not
the only manufacturer of these types of devices. Other
manufacturers include Street Strider International,
RandyRossStepper Corp, and FreeCross GmbH.
3.Why require that bicycles be ridden upon a seat ? It appears
the prohibition on operating a bicycle unless upon or astride
a seat was added to the Vehicle Code in 1963. Because the
focus of the prohibition is on the position of the rider, as
opposed to equipment required to be included on the bicycle,
and because the prohibition also applies to passengers, it
appears that the purpose of this code section is to prevent
people from riding on the handlebars or the cross bar of a
bicycle.
4.Safety issues ? Without seeing or riding the bicycle or having
it inspected by a traffic or bicycle safety professional, it
is difficult to evaluate whether this bicycle is safe to
operate on the road. To remedy this, the manufacturer plans
to demonstrate the device at the next meeting of CBAC on June
4th so that the committee may review and comment on the
device. It is unclear at this time, however, what action CBAC
is authorized to take with regard to these devices.
SB 527 (KEHOE) Page 3
POSITIONS: (Communicated to the Committee before noon on
Wednesday,
May 6, 2009)
SUPPORT: None received.
OPPOSED: None received.