Wolk bill authorizing cities to enforce bike safety signals pushes forward

Allows installation and enforcement of bike signals in perpetuity, receives bipartisan support

Assembly Bill 56 permanently authorizes the use of bicycle signals that have been used with great success in the cities of Davis and Cupertino, reducing collisions between bicycles and automobiles to a fraction of what they were in the past. Light violations became unenforceable when provisions of AB 134 (Thomson, 1999) sunset at the beginning of the year.

“Accidents between bicycles, pedestrians and automobiles account for nearly 25% of fatal crashes in California,” said Wolk. “Why not continue a program that’s proven to make our streets safer for those that choose not to drive?"

“Now, more than ever, the State must encourage experimentation with alternative modes of transportation,” said Wolk. “Transportation is among the State’s top budget issues, and for good reason. As California’s population has grown, so has the number of cars on the road. Those who bike to work or to run small errands, help clear our air and roads. They deserve our ongoing protection.”

Currently, the signals are used in the cities of Davis and Cupertino. Several other major cities throughout California--including Palo Alto, San Francisco and San Diego--have proposed installing the signals.

Appropriately, the bill was heard during California Bicycle Commute week, which began May 16 and culminates with “Bikefest” in Sacramento on May 19th. Sponsored by the California Bicycle Coalition, one of AB 56’s supporters, the week is an annual effort to promote bicycling.

AB 56, which will next be heard in the Senate Appropriations Committee, is also supported by the city of Davis, the San Diego County Bicycle Coalition, the Marin County Bicycle Coalition, the city of Ventura, the Planning and Conservation League, the California Alliance for Consumer Protection, the Automobile Club of Northern California, and the California Automobile Association and the city of San Buenaventura.