BILL ANALYSIS �
AB 2707
Page 1
CONCURRENCE IN SENATE AMENDMENTS
AB 2707 (Chau)
As Amended May 22, 2014
Majority vote
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|ASSEMBLY: |74-0 |(May 1, 2014) |SENATE: |36-0 |(June 30, |
| | | | | |2014) |
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Original Committee Reference: TRANS.
SUMMARY : Authorizes transit buses of no more than 40 feet in
length to be equipped with a front-mounted bicycle rack that
extends up to 40 inches from the front body of the bus when
fully deployed rather than the 36 inches allowed under current
law, and limits the handlebars of a bicycle that is being
transported on such a rack from extending more than 46 inches
from the front of the bus rather than the 42 inches allowed
under current law.
The Senate amendments make minor, technical changes and add a
coauthor.
FISCAL EFFECT : None
COMMENTS : In recent years, transit agencies around the state
have seen increased ridership from bicyclists who wish to use
transit for some portion of their trip. Current law authorizes
transit buses to be equipped with front-mounted bicycle racks,
but limits them to extending 36 inches from the front body of
the bus when fully deployed. Bike racks meeting the 36-inch
limit are typically only large enough to accommodate two bikes.
In 2009, Alameda-Contra Costa Transit District (AC Transit)
sponsored successful legislation to allow AC Transit to install
40-inch front-mounted bike racks, large enough to accommodate
three bikes, to address growing demand. The legislation
required AC Transit to establish a route review committee before
installing any of the longer racks on 45-foot buses, but
required no route review for installation on shorter buses. The
bill also required AC Transit to report back to the Legislature
by the end of this year on any incidents where the size of the
bike racks was a factor and on the mobility improvements that
AB 2707
Page 2
the racks provide. Since the bill was enacted, AC Transit has
installed 40-inch bike racks on about 50 of its 40-foot buses.
Although it has not yet submitted its report to the Legislature,
AC Transit indicates that the longer racks have not been a
safety issue and have been helpful in accommodating its growing
ridership.
Subsequent to the AC Transit legislation, the Legislature gave
similar authority to install 40-inch bike racks to two
additional transit agencies: Gold Coast Transit in Ventura
County and Sacramento Regional Transit (Sac RT). Last spring,
Gold Coast Transit installed three larger bike racks on its
buses, all of which are 40 feet long or less. It is required to
report back to the Legislature by the end of 2017 on any
incidents where the size of the bike racks was a factor and on
mobility improvements related to the racks. Sac RT has not yet
installed any of the longer bike racks but will be doing so soon
and plans to install them only on 40-foot buses. Sac RT is
required to report back to the Legislature about any incidents
by the end of 2018.
This bill authorizes the installation of 40-inch front-mounted
bike racks on any transit bus that is no more than 40 feet in
length. Given the growing number of transit agencies, including
the Los Angeles Metropolitan Transit District and the North
County District, that are seeking to install longer racks to
accommodate growing demand from bicyclists and evidence from AC
Transit that the racks have not been a safety issue on 40-foot
buses, the author believes it makes sense to provide statewide
authorization rather than having each transit agency pursue its
own special legislation. The bill does not address buses longer
than 40 feet. If a transit agency wanted to pursue installing
bike racks longer than 36 inches on a 45-foot bus, it would
still need to seek special legislation.
Analysis Prepared by : Anya Lawler / TRANS. / (916) 319-2093
FN: 0003952